Canine pregnancy Flashcards
Normal gestation fo bitch
“62d”
really 56-58d from onset of metestrus
65 +/-1d from LH surge (progesterone assays)
Small liters have a longer or shorter gestation?
longer
When can dogs become anemic in gestation?
mid gestation
What hormonal/metabolic effects are common in preg dogs?
insulin insensitivity
When does the embryo enter uterus after LH surge?
9-11d
When does implantattion occur?
day 18 after LH
What is the placentation?
endotheliochorial, zonary placentation
What type of vaginal discharge can occur. what is normal, what is abnormal?
- mucoid to clear: 32 d to term (normal)
- hemorrhagic (abortion? pyometra? normal?)
- purulent: always abnormal
What is the gestational length from breeding?
59-68d
Are dogs CL dependent throughout?
yes
What are luteotrophic hormones in the dog?
LH, prolactin
Why can termination of pregnancy be difficult in the dog?
multiple CL
What happens at 4-5 weeks of gestation that can cause behavioral change?
uterus elongates and may fold on its long axis causing pain, anorexia and even vomiting
What occurs at 6th week?
mammary glands start to enlarge and abdomen becomes distended
What occurs in 1 week before partuirition?
may be mild short lived contractions
What occurs in the last few days before parturition?
vulva enlarges
slight mucus discharge
pelvic ligament relax
watery secretion from mammary glands
What occurs 24hr before parturition?
bitch seeks out place to whelp
anorexia and occasionally vomiting is observed
What occurs 12-24 hr before parturitiion?
body temp starts to fall, usually by about a degree, which denotes first stage of parturition
How do you care for the preg bitch
- disease prevention (isolate from other dogs, vaccination–no modified live vaccines)
- nutrition
When should you increase nutrition for preg bitch?
25% more and quality increase gradulaly over final 3-4weeks. feed growth/lactation diet during late gestation, feed 3x/day
moderate excercise
Why not give supplementary calcium
if on a proper diet should not have suppplementary calcium becuase can predispose to eclampsia pre or post partum
HOw do you diagnose pregnancy?
- palpation
- radiographs
- U/S very useful, not best way to count puppies
- relaxin–assays
When is abdominal palpation useful?
from 28-32 days
concepti are 1-1.5inches in diameter
not if animals timid or obese
Why is abdominal palpation difficult after 28-32 d?
diffiuclt because of elongation
When is radiography useful?
42-45d
What is the most accurate way to count fetuses?
radiography (count skulls)
When can you see fetuses on U/S
as early as 16-20d of getsation (20d after LH surger)
When can you visualize the heart beat
25d
Is U/S accurate for counting puppies?
no
When is the best time for U/S for puppies
28-32 d (can be difficult after 32d)
What can U/S be used for besides preg diagnosis
evaluate intestinal motility of puppy, evaluate kidney morphology, evaluate crown rump length
can use to determine timing of elective ultrasound to have viable puppies, see if puppies are stressed or dead (radiography also useful)
When is relaxin usually detectable
21-25d (20d after LH surge relaxin rapidly increaes)
What is relaxin produced by?
placenta
When do you recommend relaxin measurement?
3-4 weeks after last breeding
What are comercial kits for relaxin
reprocheck
witness
on urine
how long does relaxin remain elevated?
until parturition
How do you prepare for whelping
make it private
introduce 1 week before
limit outside contact for pups
