Applied Reproduction In The Bitch And Dog Flashcards
Why do we need to know about fertility in the
bitch?
As a vet will be asked
• For advice on when to breed
• For advice on the optimum time for mating
• How to prevent breeding and mating
• What is normal and what is abnormal in terms of reproductive health and cycles
How can you determine stage of cycle a dog is in
• Physical or behavioural changes • Vaginal cytology
• Hormone levels
What are some physical and behavioural changes a dog undergoes during oestrus cycle
• Bitch comes into oestrus every 6-12mths • Sheds coat during oestrus
During
• Pro-oestrus
• Swollen vulva
• Bloody discharge
• Usually lasts about 9 days
• Oestrus
• Bloody discharge stops • Will stand for a dog
• Usually lasts about 9 days
What is vaginal cytology
Collecting a sample from vaginal wall using a dampened sterile swab.
Gently insert through vulva into vagina and rub against vaginal wall
Roll on slide, stain with Diff Quik and can be examined
Using vaginal cytology, what do cells look like under microscope in:
Pro-oestrus phase
Oestrus phase
- RBC’s and uncleared epithelial cells
- Fewer RBC’s and cornfield/crinkly epithelial cells
What are some ways you can determine time of ovulation?
HORMONE LEVELS
-slow rise of progesterone prior t ovulation
LH
-surge before ovulation
When testing hormone levels, progesterone and LH how often should be tested?
Progesterone; every 2 days (mainly used, used using house test kits- ELISA)
LH; daily quite expensive to do and might miss it)
What is optimum time of conception in dogs
2-5 days after ovulation
• Takes a further 48hrs for the ova to undergo the final steps in maturation after ovulation
• Ova then remains fertilisable for a further 2 - 3 days so 2-5 days after is best time period
What is the most common cause of infertility?
bitch mating at the wrong time
What are the 2 ways of mating dogs
Natural mating
&
Artificial insemination
How are dogs naturally mated?
Mated every 2-3 days throughout oestrus
If doing a single mating- optimum time is 2-4 days after ovulation
Artificial insemination
-benefits
• Reduced risk of disease transmission
•Increases gene pool
•Improved fertility results
•Dog inexperienced
Success of atrial insemination (AI) depends on:
•Semen quality
•Accurate timing of insemination
Site of deposition of semen
How is semen in AI collected
With or without oestrous ‘teaser’ bitch
• Digital pressure & massage
-Make sure penis out of prepuce before erection occurs
• Collect into clear tube through funnel
Collect 1st & 2nd fraction – 1-6 ml cloudy fluid
• Discard 3rd fraction - clear prostatic fluid
Fresh/chilled semen should be used within…
24-48 hours
What can you use. To diagnose a pregnancy in bitch
• Abdominal palpation
-Easiest from 28-35 days (Foetal swelling palpated in uterine horns)
• Ultrasonography
-Foetal heartbeat detectable from 24-28 days
• Radiography
-Once skeletal mineralisation complete
-Usually from day 42
-Most accurate method of determining number and position of foetuses
• Relaxin Assay
-in house ELISA can be used from 3-4 weeks post mating
- (if you get early negative retest in 5-6 days)
Pseudopregnancy
-what changes can they have during this
-occurs due to what
-usually undergoes…
-can treat with what if doesn’t go away
• All bitches have ‘physiological’ pseudopregnancy due to long luteal phase
• Some dogs develop ‘clinical’ pseudopregnancy with mammary gland development, lactation, anorexia, nervousness, aggression and nesting behaviours
• Occurs due to elevated levels of prolactin
• Usually undergoes spontaneous regression
• Can treat with prolactin inhibitors if not resolving
Why do we neuter dogs and bitches
• Population control
• Medical reasons (neoplasia, pyometra etc)
• Behavioural
Reasons not to neuter
• Breeding
• Fear of behavioural change
• Risk of weight gain
• Anthropomorphisim
What is an Ovariohysterectomy/spay done for in bitches
When should it be done
• Often done to prevent unwanted pregnancy/inconvenience of seasons
• Medical reasons
-Pyometra
-Ovarian neoplasia
-Mammary neoplasia
• If elective should be done 2-3months post season in anoestrus
What is castration done for
• Electively performed to prevent unwanted mating and behaviours
• Medical reasons
-Benign prostatic hyperplasia
-Testicular neoplasia
-Perineal hernia
-Cystine urolithiasis
• Increased risk of prostatic neoplasia in neutered male
What is a non surgical option of castration a dog
GnRH antagonist – Deslorin implant. Lasts 6-12mths
Chemically castrates animal for a period of time to allow owners to see how animal reacts to being castrated
