Exam 3 - Management of Pregnancy & Whelping

Question 1

when should brucellosis testing be done in dogs if the owner is wanting to breed them?

Answer 1

30 days prior to breeding

Question 2

why should no vaccines be given once an animal is pregnant?

Answer 2

cerebellar hypoplasia if FVRCP given to pregnant cats

encephalitis if given to pregnant bitches

Question 3

what vaccines carry the highest risk if given during pregnancy?

Answer 3

MLV

Question 4

what should be done in an animal prior to breeding?

Answer 4

updating core vaccines, bloodwork, intestinal parasite screening, hw test, FIV/FeLV test, canine herpesvirus titer, broad spectrum deworming

Question 5

what are some breed specific testing for both parents?

Answer 5

OFA or penn hip - consider the elbows & spine based on the breed

Question 6

what does OFA certified mean for the animals age?

Answer 6

they will be at least 2 years old before being bred

Question 7

why should excess vitamin a be avoided in feeding prior to breeding an animal?

Answer 7

avoid midline defects

Question 8

why is there brief anorexia in the 3rd week of pregnancy?

Answer 8

fetal implantation

Question 9

when should calcium be supplemented in a breeding animal?

Answer 9

only postpartum!!

Question 10

what should be the overall weight gain achieved during pregnancy?

Answer 10

15-25% of overall

Question 11

how should the bitch be fed during the length of pregnancy?

Answer 11

increase by 10% each week after week 6 unless it’s a singleton or small litter

small frequent meals the last few weeks

Question 12

what is the only safe flea control during pregnancy?

Answer 12

flea comb - treat prior to breeding

Question 13

what hw drugs are safe during pregnancy?

Answer 13

ivermectin & milbemycin

Question 14

what dewormer can be used from day 40 to day 14 postpartum if there are severe parasite issues?

Answer 14

fenbendazle at 50mg/kg/day - broad spectrum dewormer

Question 15

what is the length of gestation in dogs & cats?

Answer 15

63 days in dogs & cats

58-71 rage

Question 16

when can pregnancy potentially be palpated in dogs & cats?

Answer 16

dog: 25-30 days

cats: 15-18 days

Question 17

when can ultrasound be used to determine pregnancy in dogs & cats?

Answer 17

dogs: 30 days

cats: 15-18 days

Question 18

when is the fetal heart detectable on ultrasound?

Answer 18

28 days gestation

Question 19

why is ultrasound an ideal tool for pregnancy diagnosis? what are the disadvantages?

Answer 19

difficult to count fetuses - but can see fetal death/resorption at this time

Question 20

why is xray not ideal until later in pregnancy for diagnosis?

Answer 20

may see soft tissue swelling day 21-42 but can’t differentiate from pyometra

Question 21

when does mineralization begin in fetal skeletons that can be seen on xrays of dogs & cats?

Answer 21

dogs: day 45

cats: day 40

Question 22

when is xray best used in pregnancy diagnosis?

Answer 22

used to count fetuses in the last week of pregnancy - count skulls & spines

Question 23

when is oxytocin used in dystocia?

Answer 23

uterine inertia only - no fetal factors or maternal factors

Question 24

what are some indications for an elecctive c-section?

Answer 24

brachycephalic breed

large litter - over 10% fetal death natural whelping

fetal oversize

history dystocia

Question 25

when should you schedule an elective c-section?

Answer 25

63 days after ovulation - progestone 5ng/ml

Question 26

what are some other clues to look at when considering an elective c-section?

Answer 26

check fetal maturity with progesterone testing, < 2ng/ml & fetal ultrasound temp drop under 100, open cervix on vaginal exam, & milk production take rads to know how many staff are needed - 1 person per pup

Question 27

in emergency c-sections, what should you look for on labwork?

Answer 27

leukocytosis, hypocalcemia, hyperglycemia (diabetes), hypoglycemia/ketonuria (toxemia)

Question 28

when using an ultrasound to assess vital parameters of fetuses, what are the ranges?

Answer 28

normal: >180 fetal distress: 170 fetal emergency: <150

Question 29

how should you prep a bitch for a c-section?

Answer 29

pre-oxygenate, pre-shave, IVC & fluids, slow induction with propofol or alfaxalone

Question 30

where should the incision be made for a c-section?

Answer 30

1-2 fingers caudal to the umbilicus

Question 31

where should incisions be made in the uterus for a c-section?

Answer 31

1 incision at the uterine body or 1 at base of each horn

Question 32

where should clamps be placed on the umbilical cords on the puppies?

Answer 32

clamp 1 cm from body wall & then 2cm from 1st clamp - cut between clamps

Question 33

if no premed, when can an opioid be given to a bitch?

Answer 33

once the puppies have been removed

Question 34

how should the uterus be closed and with what suture type?

Answer 34

close uterus with a double layer inverting pattern - monofilament absorbable suture

Question 35

what congenital abnormalities should puppies be checked for after c-section?

Answer 35

cleft palates, umbilical hernias, atresia ani, & abdominal hernias

Question 36

after the bitch is extubated, what should you do with the puppies?

Answer 36

assist puppies to nurse for colostrum - walk mom & remove IVC & send home ASAP don't leave puppies alone with mom

Question 37

what are some maternal factors causing dystocia?

Answer 37

uterine inertia, pelvic canal anomalies, intrapartum complications - hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia, sepsis, hypotension

Question 38

what are some fetal factors causing dystocia?

Answer 38

fetal oversize, fetal malposition/malposition, anatomic anomalies - hydrocephalus & anasarca (water babies)

Question 39

why does toxemia occur as a pregnancy complication?

Answer 39

inadeqaute carbs in diet to meet energy demands

Question 40

what are the clinical signs associated with toxemia in pregnant animals?

Answer 40

lethargy, poor appetite, +/- vomiting/diarrhea

Question 41

what lab abnormalities are associated toxemia in pregnant animals?

Answer 41

hypoglycemia, ketonuria without glucosuria

Question 42

what is the treatment for toxemia associated with pregnancy?

Answer 42

push carbs, c-section after 58 days - ultrasound for fetal viability may have to abort litter, may need foster dam

Question 43

T/F: toxemia carries a high risk of post partum death

Answer 43

true

Question 44

what marks stage 1 of labor?

Answer 44

begins within 24 hours of progesterone drop to 2-5 ng/ml in dogs & after 24 hours in cats transient temp drop <100 lasts 12-24 hours in bitch & 4-24 in queen reclusive, restlessness, nesting clear vaginal discharge

Question 45

what are some markers of stage 2 labor?

Answer 45

lasts 1-2 hours - external abdominal efforts & myometrial contraction ferguson reflex - fetus in cervix stimulates release of oxytocin

Question 46

what does green vaginal discharge mean in stage 2 of labor?

Answer 46

placental differentiation - only relevant for the first fetus

Question 47

what are some markers of stage 3 of labor?

Answer 47

delivery of the placenta vacillate between stage 2 & 3 until delivery is complete

Question 48

when should all fetuses be delivered?

Answer 48

within 24 hours

Question 49

when does poly-hydroallantois (hydrops) develop?

Answer 49

6 weeks gestation

Question 50

what is poly-hydroallantois (hydrops)?

Answer 50

excess allantoic fluid - excess weight gain by the mother, fetuses are normal

Question 51

how is poly-hydroallantois (hydrops) treated?

Answer 51

spironalactone, dandelion

Question 52

what should you plan for in a bitch with poly-hydroallantois (hydrops)?

Answer 52

scheduled c-section as soon as the fetuses are viable & bitch is stable

Question 53

what diagnostics are used for placentitis?

Answer 53

brucella testing, +/- culture

Question 54

what diagnostics are used for placentitis?

Answer 54

brucella testing, +/- culture

Question 55

what should you plan for in a bitch with placentitis?

Answer 55

consider c-section at term, & biopsy/culture placenta

Question 56

what are some causes of placentitis?

Answer 56

parasite migration, bacterial infection, brucellosis, & viral infections

Question 57

what is placentitis?

Answer 57

placental thickening, inflammation, infection

Question 58

why do some animals develop diabetes when pregnant?

Answer 58

progesterone interferes with insulin activity - starts as early as day 35 & progresses, so pups are larger putting the mom at an increased risk of dystocia

Question 59

how is diabetes treated in pregnant animals?

Answer 59

insulin c-section after day 58 may need foster dam remove bitch from breeding program

Question 60

what does herpesvirus cause in a pregnant bitch?

Answer 60

mild respiratory problems

Question 61

what are the clinical signs associated with herpesvirus in the pregnant bitch?

Answer 61

puppies cry incessantly, painful, 100% mortality rate

Question 62

when are bitches/puppies exposed to herpesvirus?

Answer 62

problem in naive bitch exposed in the last 3 weeks of pregnancy or 1st 3 weeks of puppies life

Question 63

what diagnostics/prevention are used for herpesvirus for pregnant bitches?

Answer 63

check titers - if negative, no exposure to other dogs during this 6 week period

Question 64

what is hypoluteodism?

Answer 64

bitch fails to maintain progesterone levels above 2 to maintain the pregnancy

Question 65

what is the treatment for hypoluteodism?

Answer 65

need hormonal treatment - refer to theriogenologist

Question 66

T/F: folic acid at 5-8mg/day can be considered for supplementation in the diet for a pregnant bitch

Answer 66

true

Question 67

what 7 pregnancy complications are covered in this lecture?

Answer 67

1. resorption/abortion 2. placentitis 3. poly-hydroallantois (hydrops) 4. diabetes 5. herpesvirus 6. hypoluteodism 7. toxemia