Dogs and Cats Flashcards
How long is the average interoestrus interval is dogs?
How long does it take for canine primary oocytes to mature?
7 months (1 yr in a Basenji)
48-72 hours (2-3 days)
What is the average duration of proestrus, oestrus (how long does LH surge last for?), dioestrus and anoestrus in the bitch?
Proestrus: 9d
Oestrus: 9d, LH surge for 24-28 hours
Dioestrus: 57d (preg bitch)
Anoestrus: 30d???
How is oestrus determined cytologically?
> 90% cells in vaginal smear are cornified epithelial cells
How long will fresh, frozen and chilled semen last?
Fresh: 6 d
Chilled: 2d
Frozen: 24 hours
What are breeding reflexes in a bitch?
Flagging, Winking, Lordosis
plus vaginal discharge
How will the vagina differ in bitches between stages of the cycle when looked at through a speculum?
Pro-oestrus: pink, swollen, rounded folds and moist
Oestrus: pale pink, shrunken and dry
Dioestrus: Hyperaemic areas and rounded folds
In which stages should you expect no neutrophils and no bacteria on a vaginal exam?
Will always be bacteria (that’s why cultures are generally a waste of time and money). However, there should be no neutrophils during oestrus due to the cornification of the epithelium
On cytology, how can you distinguish the first day of dioestrus? How about oestrus?
Sudden decrease in cornified epithelial cells (<50%) and an increase in the percentage of non-cornified intermediate and parabasal cells
Oestrus >90% cornified cells
What are metoestrus cells?
neutrophils found in non-cornified epithelial cells
What is fixed day breeding in bitches?
Breed day 12 and 14 after onset of proestrus
What is the importance of relaxin in canine pregnancy and when can it be detected?
It is the only specific pregnancy-related protein in the bitches blood that can be used for pregnancy diagnosis. It can be detected after d25 post LH surge and peaks at d 45-50
What is the gold standard for preg dx in dogs and when can it be used>
US. as early as 20 d post LH surge. Heartbeats are detectable >d25
How might gestational age be predicted via US in dogs?
Gestational sac diameter, body diameter and biparietal diameter
From what timepoint can radiography be used to assess pregnancy in dogs?
From d44 post LH surge. Increased accuracy if you wait until ~d55
What are the three stages of parturition in a dog and what do they each entail?
Stage I: 6-12 hours long
- intermittent uterine contractions
- vagina relaxes, cervix dilates
- nestingbehaviour, restlessness, vomiting, shivering
Stage II: 3-12 hours
- Ferguson’s reflex
- foetal expulsion
- first pup make take 4 hours. Intervals should be 5-120 mins
- *should not last for more than 24hrs
Stage III: variable time
-expulsion of allantochorionic membrane
What signs are suggestive of dystocia in dogs? (9)
- Whelping not observed within 24-36hrs after temp drop
- Whelping not observed within 36-48hre after serum prog. drop
- Active labour >4 hrs and no pups
- Interval of pups is >30 with active pushing
- Interval of pups is >2 hrs with no active pushing
- Whelping lasts more than 24hrs
- Dark green or malodorous discharge prior to whelping *(placental detachments- green comes from marginal haematomas)
- Profuse vaginal bleeding
- Signs of pain
What two procedures should you always do with canine dystocia?
- vaginal exam
- ultrasonography (foetal viability)
What are some clinical signs of prostatomegaly?
- Dripping blood from penis
- Haematuria
- Haemospermia
- Tenesmus
- Dysuria
- Poor semen quality
(In acute prostatitis: fever, anorexia, lethargy)
What are some maternal and foetal factors that contribute to dystocia in dogs?
Maternal:
- Primary uterine inertia
- Secondary inertia
- Uterine torsion/rupture
- Conformation
- Nervous voluntary inhibition of labour
Foetal:
- Malpresentation, malpositioning, malposture
- Abnormal dvpt
- Absolute/relative oversized foetus
At what stage of pregnancy is metritis usually seen?
0-7 days post whelping
What are some pharmacological methods of terminating pregnancy in a bitch?
PGF2 alpha (after d5. Off label) Dopamine agonists (act as prolactin antagonists) Aglepristone= progesterone receptor antagonist (recommended until d35) CSs (mimic events at parturition. Effective after day 35)
How might you treat a pseudopregnancy in a bitch? WHat is beleived to be the cause?
Prolactin antagonist (prolactin is luteotrophic so stopping its activity leads to luteolysis)= Cabergoline
dropping progesterone levels in combination with increasing prolactin levels
What is the pathogenesis of pyometra?
Bitches within 8-12 weeks of last heat are most commonly affected.
Leukocyte inhibition and decreased myometrial contractions facilitate bacterial growth as well as uterine stromal and epithelial proliferation/ increased glandular secretion
What breeds are more commonly predisposed to pyometra?
CKCS, Burmese mountain dog, miniature schnauzer, leonberger
How can you treat pyometra?
Best option is ovariohysterectomy. If not possible, give:
- aglepristone and low dose PGF2alpha (24-48 hours later)
- antibiotics (broad spec)
- treat systemic signs if indicated
(if no response to tx within 5 days, poor prognosis)
What are a bitch’s chances of falling pregnant? when is a fertility exam justified?
75% chance given right conditions and given they are both fertile
After 2 empty consecutive cycles
What is a split heat?
Occurs mostly in young bitches
=physiological and behavioural signs of pro-oestrus without progression to oestrus.
What is Mibolerone?
Recommended drug to delay the onset of oestrus (off-label). Need to start at least 1 month before oestrus.
C/I in prepubertal bitches and dogs with renal/hepatic disease
How might you treat adult vaginitis in a bitch?
Difficult!
Phenylpropanolamine is recommended
What are the 3 phases in prostatic development? What is the active androgen responsible for progression between these phases?
I: embryonic and juvenile development
II: hyperplasia in dogs 2.5-12 years
III: senile involution in dogs >12 years
5-alpha-DHT
How might you dx prostatomegaly?
rectal palp. x-ray cytology and culture of prostatic fluid retrograde cysturethrography urinalysis biopsy
For prostatic diseases (except neoplasia) what is the treatment of choice? What other options are there?
CASTRATION!
Finasteride if castration is not an option. can also use deslorelin (GnRH agonist) or tamoxifen (oestrogen receptor blocker)
What is the normal total sperm number expected in a dog?
300 million to 2 billion (>80% should be normal)
When do cats usually reach puberty?? How long is their interoestrus interval?
6-9 mo
2-3 weeks (spring, summer and autumn)
What are the stages of the feline oestrus cycle?
Pro-oestrus: 1.2 d
Oestrus: 7.2 d
Interoestrus (if ovulation doesn’t occur): 8-10 days
Dioestrus (if ovulation does occur): 40 d in pseudoprg, 60 d in preg cat
Anoestrus: variable= ovarian quiescence
Where is the subdermal plexus located in dogs and cats?
Superficial and deep to the cutaneous trunk muscles in the head, neck, thorax and abdomen (allows sit movement of skin during reconstructive processes)
Why is it important to undermine the skin below the level of the subdermal plexus?
To maintain blood supply to the skin
What are the three main phases of wound healing? How long do they each last for?
Infl. (1-3 days)
Repair (proliferation): 3-21 days
Maturation (remodelling) months to years
What is the importance of viscoelasticity in skin?
Initial pliability
Tendency to return to its original shape when deforming stress is removed
Ability to adapt when prolonged stress is applied (used by surgeons to relieve tension on primary suture line)
What are shear forces?
Forces acting on one wound edge may oppose the forces acting on the apposed wound edge (axillary, inguinal area, foot pad, joints)
What are Halstead’s principles?
Strict aseptic technique Gentle tissue handling Meticulous haemostasis Preservation of blood supply Obliteration of dead space Accurate apposition of tissue planes Minimal tension on tissues Removal of necrotic tissue
A penrose drain is what type?
Passive drain
What is the difference between an active and passive drain?
Passive drains are gravity dependent . They’re anchored proximal in subcut space with suture and exit ventrally through separate stab incision. Fluid drainage is proportional to surface area.
Active drains utilise a closed collection reservoir system. Fenestrated drain attached to silastic tube is used (eg. Jackson Pratt drain)
When should active drains be removed?
When fluid production decreases after 2-5 days (when fluid production is <1-2 ml/kg/24hr
What is a seroma?
A subcut accumulation or pocket of protein-enriched serum in a closed wound. Often a result of poor dead space closure or in areas of high motion and often self-limiting
What does open wound management infer?
Allowing wounds to heal by secondary intention (goes through process of contraction and epithelialization). If wounds are large, have extensive tissue damage and are contaminated/infected.
Granulation tissue is resistant to infection due to its excellent blood supply. True or false?
True
What is pre-suture?
Tie loose sutures and pack material under sutures. Tighten sutures a little each day. Used for large wounds
What areas are tension relieving sutures useful?
Extremities
What do you use vertical mattress sutures for?
Early stages of wound healing
What is V to Y plasty?
Use a v shape incision to enable for skin available for closure
Is flap viability less or more reliable than the axial pattern flaps?
How can you increase chance of flap viability?
Less reliable. Base of flap should be wider than the tip to increase viability
What is staging?
Tests that screen for metastasis of tumours
In what breeds of dogs are cutaneous mast cell tumours common?
Boxers, Retrievers, Pugs, Boston terriers and Pit bull terriers
- pugs and boxers are more likely to develop low grade tumours
How is diagnosis of MCT usually made?
FNA and cytology
What are some prognostic factors of canine mast cell tumours?
Histopathological grade
Histopathological margins
Mitotic index (ie. #mitoses in 10 high power fields)
Stage
What age cats do histiocytic MCT more commonly occur in?
Younger cats
Multiple cutaneous MCT tumours in cats are often associated with what?
Splenic mast cell tumours
How can you dx and tx soft tissue sarcomas?
Biopsy often needed (as they are not commonly exfoliative)
Tx may include surgery, radiation therapy and chemo (if high grade)
What is a feline injection site sarcoma? (3 criteria)
How are they diagnosed?
Due to vaccines. Presents 3 or more months post vaccine, mass is equal to or greater than 2cm and mass is growing more than 1 month post vaccine
Incisional biopsy needed (not exc)
What is the risk of metastasis for a soft tissue sarcoma?
Grade 1-2 <15%
Grade 3 40-50%
Mitotic index >9 = poor prognosis
What are risk factors for canine mammary gland tumours?
Age >7-8 (
Hormone exposure
Breed (smaller dogs, springer spaniel, english setter)
Weight
Are caudal or cranial mammary glands more often affected by mammary gland tumours?
Caudal
What are prognostic factors for canine mammary gland tumours? Compare with a cat.
Histologic grade Lymphatic invasion Size (<3cm is best) [in cat <2cm is best] LN involvement Metastasis
What are risk factors for feline mammary gland tumours?
Age >7-9
hormone exposure (if spayed <1 yr 90% risk red)
Breed (siamese)
Are mammary gland tumours often malignant?
Up to 90% malignant in cats
50% in dogs
What are the 5 phenotypic indicators of CAD?
- High IgE responder
- Low ceramide
- Low Filaggrin expression
- Claudin 1 mutation
- TLR 2 mutation
Dx of canine atopic dermatitis is based on what?
- Signalment (young age of onset)
- Clinical signs
- Exclusion of other Ddx
What are the two most common pathogens associated with secondary infection relating to CAD?
Staphylococcus pseudointermedius
Malassezia pachydermatitis
What are the best options for treating secondary bacterial infections associated with CAD?
- Cephalexin
- Enrofloxacin
(treat for at least a week beyond resolution)
What are characteristic signs of a staph. pseudointermedius skin infection?
Target lesions and epidermal collarettes
What are the organisms most commonly responsible for dermatophytosis in dogs and cats?
- Microsporum canis (in cats)
- Microsporum gypseum
- Trichophyton spp.
What are some rules for doing a food elimination trial? (4)
How is a food allergy confirmed?
Minimum 8 wks
Need to control concurrent itch triggers
Give oclactinib (anti-pruritic) for first 6 weeks
Total compliance needed
Confirmed if:
- resolution of symptoms on elimination diet
- symptoms reappear within 14 days of being re-challenged
- symptoms resolve again once elimination diet repeated
- sequential re-challenge (single item) identifies allergen
When should a schirmer tear test be done and why?
In animals with ocular discharge or conjunctivitus. At the start of a consultation because general, topical and sedation cause a decrease in tear production
How do you perform a schirmer tear test?
Tear strips are placed in the lateral component of the conjunctival fornix. Strips need to contact the cornea bc they measure both basal and reflex tear production. Tear production should be measured over 60s
What is retroillumination useful for?
locating lesions within cornea, anterior chamber and vitreous body
What is aqueous flare? What does it indicate?
=pathognomonic for uveitis. Appears as white light scatter between the focal light reflections on the cornea and anterior lens capsule. Light scatter occurs as incident light beam hits WBCs, plasma and fibrin in the inflammed eye
What are approximate normal STT readings in dogs, cats and horses?
Dogs: 15-225
Cats: 10
Horses: 20-30
What is tonometry and what is it used for?
Measurement of intraocular pressure. Used to differentiate between glaucoma and uveitis in animals presenting with red eye
Note: sedation, nerve blocks and head position can all affect IOP but clinically insig
How are Fluoroscein strips applied? How do they work?
Strip should be placed onto the bulbar conjunctiva and do not touch the cornea bc this might create false positives.
Binds to mucous threads, granulation tissue, rough epithelium and it will sit in shallow facets under surface tension (eg. healed corneal ulcer)
Where do you do nerve blocks in a horse for eye examination?
Supra orbital block (trigem) or auriculopalpebral block (facial nerve)
What is the fundus of the eye?
Collective term to describe all structures visible with an opthalmoscope in the posterior part of the globe (ie. sclera, choroids, tapetum, retinal pigment epithelium, neural retina, optic nerve head and retinal vasculaure)
What is the difference between direct and indirect opthalmoscopy?
- Monocular view [binocular]
- Ltd field of view (10-15 degrees) [35degrees]
- Poor view in hazy media [better]
- Peripheral lesions difficult to visualise
- Difficult to use during surgery
- mag 0
- higher mag
- virtual and erect image [real and inverted]