Exam 3 - Management of Pregnancy & Whelping Flashcards
when should brucellosis testing be done in dogs if the owner is wanting to breed them?
30 days prior to breeding
why should no vaccines be given once an animal is pregnant?
cerebellar hypoplasia if FVRCP given to pregnant cats
encephalitis if given to pregnant bitches
what vaccines carry the highest risk if given during pregnancy?
MLV
what should be done in an animal prior to breeding?
updating core vaccines, bloodwork, intestinal parasite screening, hw test, FIV/FeLV test, canine herpesvirus titer, broad spectrum deworming
what are some breed specific testing for both parents?
OFA or penn hip - consider the elbows & spine based on the breed
what does OFA certified mean for the animals age?
they will be at least 2 years old before being bred
why should excess vitamin a be avoided in feeding prior to breeding an animal?
avoid midline defects
why is there brief anorexia in the 3rd week of pregnancy?
fetal implantation
when should calcium be supplemented in a breeding animal?
only postpartum!!
what should be the overall weight gain achieved during pregnancy?
15-25% of overall
how should the bitch be fed during the length of pregnancy?
increase by 10% each week after week 6 unless it’s a singleton or small litter
small frequent meals the last few weeks
what is the only safe flea control during pregnancy?
flea comb - treat prior to breeding
what hw drugs are safe during pregnancy?
ivermectin & milbemycin
what dewormer can be used from day 40 to day 14 postpartum if there are severe parasite issues?
fenbendazle at 50mg/kg/day - broad spectrum dewormer
what is the length of gestation in dogs & cats?
63 days in dogs & cats
58-71 rage
when can pregnancy potentially be palpated in dogs & cats?
dog: 25-30 days
cats: 15-18 days
when can ultrasound be used to determine pregnancy in dogs & cats?
dogs: 30 days
cats: 15-18 days
when is the fetal heart detectable on ultrasound?
28 days gestation
why is ultrasound an ideal tool for pregnancy diagnosis? what are the disadvantages?
difficult to count fetuses - but can see fetal death/resorption at this time
why is xray not ideal until later in pregnancy for diagnosis?
may see soft tissue swelling day 21-42 but can’t differentiate from pyometra
when does mineralization begin in fetal skeletons that can be seen on xrays of dogs & cats?
dogs: day 45
cats: day 40
when is xray best used in pregnancy diagnosis?
used to count fetuses in the last week of pregnancy - count skulls & spines
when is oxytocin used in dystocia?
uterine inertia only - no fetal factors or maternal factors
what are some indications for an elecctive c-section?
brachycephalic breed
large litter - over 10% fetal death natural whelping
fetal oversize
history dystocia
when should you schedule an elective c-section?
63 days after ovulation - progestone 5ng/ml
what are some other clues to look at when considering an elective c-section?
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
in emergency c-sections, what should you look for on labwork?
leukocytosis, hypocalcemia, hyperglycemia (diabetes), hypoglycemia/ketonuria (toxemia)
when using an ultrasound to assess vital parameters of fetuses, what are the ranges?
normal: >180
fetal distress: 170
fetal emergency: <150
how should you prep a bitch for a c-section?
pre-oxygenate, pre-shave, IVC & fluids, slow induction with propofol or alfaxalone
where should the incision be made for a c-section?
1-2 fingers caudal to the umbilicus
where should incisions be made in the uterus for a c-section?
1 incision at the uterine body or 1 at base of each horn
where should clamps be placed on the umbilical cords on the puppies?
clamp 1 cm from body wall & then 2cm from 1st clamp - cut between clamps
if no premed, when can an opioid be given to a bitch?
once the puppies have been removed
how should the uterus be closed and with what suture type?
close uterus with a double layer inverting pattern - monofilament absorbable suture
what congenital abnormalities should puppies be checked for after c-section?
cleft palates, umbilical hernias, atresia ani, & abdominal hernias
after the bitch is extubated, what should you do with the puppies?
assist puppies to nurse for colostrum - walk mom & remove IVC & send home ASAP
don’t leave puppies alone with mom
what are some maternal factors causing dystocia?
uterine inertia, pelvic canal anomalies, intrapartum complications - hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia, sepsis, hypotension
what are some fetal factors causing dystocia?
fetal oversize, fetal malposition/malposition, anatomic anomalies - hydrocephalus & anasarca (water babies)
why does toxemia occur as a pregnancy complication?
inadeqaute carbs in diet to meet energy demands
what are the clinical signs associated with toxemia in pregnant animals?
lethargy, poor appetite, +/- vomiting/diarrhea
what lab abnormalities are associated toxemia in pregnant animals?
hypoglycemia, ketonuria without glucosuria
what is the treatment for toxemia associated with pregnancy?
push carbs, c-section after 58 days - ultrasound for fetal viability
may have to abort litter, may need foster dam
T/F: toxemia carries a high risk of post partum death
true
what marks stage 1 of labor?
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
what are some markers of stage 2 labor?
lasts 1-2 hours - external abdominal efforts & myometrial contraction
ferguson reflex - fetus in cervix stimulates release of oxytocin
what does green vaginal discharge mean in stage 2 of labor?
placental differentiation - only relevant for the first fetus
what are some markers of stage 3 of labor?
delivery of the placenta
vacillate between stage 2 & 3 until delivery is complete
when should all fetuses be delivered?
within 24 hours
when does poly-hydroallantois (hydrops) develop?
6 weeks gestation
what is poly-hydroallantois (hydrops)?
excess allantoic fluid - excess weight gain by the mother, fetuses are normal
how is poly-hydroallantois (hydrops) treated?
spironalactone, dandelion
what should you plan for in a bitch with poly-hydroallantois (hydrops)?
scheduled c-section as soon as the fetuses are viable & bitch is stable
what diagnostics are used for placentitis?
brucella testing, +/- culture
what diagnostics are used for placentitis?
brucella testing, +/- culture
what should you plan for in a bitch with placentitis?
consider c-section at term, & biopsy/culture placenta
what are some causes of placentitis?
parasite migration, bacterial infection, brucellosis, & viral infections
what is placentitis?
placental thickening, inflammation, infection
why do some animals develop diabetes when pregnant?
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
how is diabetes treated in pregnant animals?
insulin
c-section after day 58
may need foster dam
remove bitch from breeding program
what does herpesvirus cause in a pregnant bitch?
mild respiratory problems
what are the clinical signs associated with herpesvirus in the pregnant bitch?
puppies cry incessantly, painful, 100% mortality rate
when are bitches/puppies exposed to herpesvirus?
problem in naive bitch exposed in the last 3 weeks of pregnancy or 1st 3 weeks of puppies life
what diagnostics/prevention are used for herpesvirus for pregnant bitches?
check titers - if negative, no exposure to other dogs during this 6 week period
what is hypoluteodism?
bitch fails to maintain progesterone levels above 2 to maintain the pregnancy
what is the treatment for hypoluteodism?
need hormonal treatment - refer to theriogenologist
T/F: folic acid at 5-8mg/day can be considered for supplementation in the diet for a pregnant bitch
true
what 7 pregnancy complications are covered in this lecture?
- resorption/abortion
- placentitis
- poly-hydroallantois (hydrops)
- diabetes
- herpesvirus
- hypoluteodism
- toxemia
