How do you perform a digital vaginal exam on dogs?

While the provided sources indicate that a digital vaginal exam is a standard procedure used to evaluate a dog experiencing dystocia (difficult labor), they do not provide instructions on exactly how to perform the exam.

• It is used to check for a narrowed birth canal or fetal malpositioning before a veterinarian administers oxytocin.

• During fetal manipulation, a veterinarian with long fingers may use lots of lubricant and place one finger vaginally and one finger rectally to gently manipulate a poorly positioned puppy’s neck or shoulders.

Because the provided materials lack step-by-step instructions for this procedure, you will need to consult outside veterinary training resources for a proper guide on how to perform it safely.