Applied Reproduction In The Bitch And Dog

Question 1

Why do we need to know about fertility in the
bitch?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

How can you determine stage of cycle a dog is in

Answer 2

• Physical or behavioural changes • Vaginal cytology
• Hormone levels

Question 3

What are some physical and behavioural changes a dog undergoes during oestrus cycle

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

What is vaginal cytology

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Using vaginal cytology, what do cells look like under microscope in:
Pro-oestrus phase
Oestrus phase

Answer 5

1. RBC’s and uncleared epithelial cells
2. Fewer RBC’s and cornfield/crinkly epithelial cells

Question 6

What are some ways you can determine time of ovulation?

Answer 6

HORMONE LEVELS
-slow rise of progesterone prior t ovulation

LH
-surge before ovulation

Question 7

When testing hormone levels, progesterone and LH how often should be tested?

Answer 7

Progesterone; every 2 days (mainly used, used using house test kits- ELISA)
LH; daily quite expensive to do and might miss it)

Question 8

What is optimum time of conception in dogs

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What is the most common cause of infertility?

Answer 9

bitch mating at the wrong time

Question 10

What are the 2 ways of mating dogs

Answer 10

Natural mating
&
Artificial insemination

Question 11

How are dogs naturally mated?

Answer 11

Mated every 2-3 days throughout oestrus
If doing a single mating- optimum time is 2-4 days after ovulation

Question 12

Artificial insemination
-benefits

Answer 12

• Reduced risk of disease transmission
•Increases gene pool
•Improved fertility results
•Dog inexperienced

Question 13

Success of atrial insemination (AI) depends on:

Answer 13

•Semen quality
•Accurate timing of insemination
Site of deposition of semen

Question 14

How is semen in AI collected

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Fresh/chilled semen should be used within…

Answer 15

24-48 hours

Question 16

What can you use. To diagnose a pregnancy in bitch

Answer 16

• 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)

Question 17

Pseudopregnancy
-what changes can they have during this
-occurs due to what
-usually undergoes…
-can treat with what if doesn’t go away

Answer 17

• 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

Question 18

Why do we neuter dogs and bitches

Answer 18

• Population control
• Medical reasons (neoplasia, pyometra etc)
• Behavioural

Question 19

Reasons not to neuter

Answer 19

• Breeding
• Fear of behavioural change
• Risk of weight gain
• Anthropomorphisim

Question 20

What is an Ovariohysterectomy/spay done for in bitches
When should it be done

Answer 20

• 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

Question 21

What is castration done for

Answer 21

• 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

Question 22

What is a non surgical option of castration a dog

Answer 22

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