A simplified technique to produce toxemia in the pregnant dog.

In 39 pregnant and six nonpregnant dogs the abdominal aorta was exposed extraperitoneally through a left paralumbar incision, and a vascular occluder and a flow transducer were placed around it. The tubing of the occluder and the wiring of the flow transducer were slipped under the skin and advanced to the back of the neck of the animal. Thus, the aortic blood flow could be progressively reduced and continuously monitored. After 4 to 20 days of blood flow reduction of 35% to 75%, the picture of a moderately severe toxemia appeared in 10 dogs and that of a mild toxemia was seen in the 11 others. Nine animals were eliminated because of premature labor and three were eliminated for surgical complications. The control group (six pregnant animals with a sham operation and six nonpregnant animals with a severe aortic constriction) presented no abnormalities.