Feline Flashcards
Which ligament is fragile in the cat?
Utero-ovarian/proper ligament
How often do cats display oestrus behaviour?
Every 2 weeks
What type of ovulators are cats?
Induced
How do we describe cats cycles?
Seasonally polyoestrus
How long does uterine involution take?
10 days
How long is proestrus?
1-3 days
How long is oestrus?
3-10 days - queen accepts male
How long is interoestrus/postoestrus?
6-16 days - sexual inactivity
this happens when she does not ovulate
How long is anoestrus?
3-4 months (winter)
How long is the luteal phase?
42 days - after sterile breeding
Name 5 signs of oestrus
- Lordosis
- Vocalisation
- Increased aggression
- Vaginal cytology +++ superficial cells
- Allows mounting
What accessory glands to toms have?
Bulbourethral and prostate
How are the penis spines described?
Testerone dependent
What is the basal testosterone concentration?
12-24nmol/L
When will females and males reach puberty?
Female -> 6-10months
Male -> 9 months
When does spermatogenesis begin in males?
20 weeks
How long is the spermatogenic cycle?
47 days
When would we do AI in cats?
In zoos or dying breeds
How do we decide when to AI?
Vaginal cytology
Where is a queen inseminated?
Level of anterior vagina/posterior cervix
What do we administer after AI?
hCG 50-75 IU IM
Do insemination and hCG again after 24 hours
What is the recommended semen dose?
50-80 million/ml 0.1-0.2ml
When does attachment occur in gestation?
15 days post mating
How long is gestation from mating?
65 days
When can we use palpation for PD?
17-25 days - firm spherical masses
When can we use ultrasonography for PD?
15d first detect
22d heartbeat
When can we use radiography to see skeletons?
45d
What type of placentation do cats have?
Endotheliochorial, zonary, deciduate
Maternal haematoma in pigmented zone
What can be used to determine partruition time?
Serum progesterone - not very reliable in cats
12-15nmol on day of birth
How long does stage 1 parturition last and what happens?
24 hours - restless, vocal and nesting
How long does stage 2 parturition last and what happens?
1st kitten 30-60 minutes, interval between kittens 5-60 minutes
What is stage 3?
Expulsion of fetal membranes at each kitten
What is “queening”?
nesting and isolation behaviour - move to separate area 3 weeks before due
What is the time frame for normal parturition?
2-6 hours, maximum 12 hours
What are 4 signs of dystocia?
Unusual
Strong ineffective contractions, delay of 2-3 hours following first kitten, weak contractions, brown/green vaginal discharge and no progress
How do we treat dystocia?
Calcium and oxytocin
caesarean
How much calcium do lactating queens require each day?
600mg/day
What is the average birthweight of kittens?
100+/- 10g
What is the ambient temperature for kittens?
30 first 2 weeks
25 for next 2 weeks
How much should nursing kittens gain a day?
7-10 grams per day
what is the weaning-oestrus interval?
1-2 weeks
What are 3 agents that cause abortion?
Toxoplasma gondii
Coxiella burnetti
Chlamydia felis
Which ovary is more caudal?
The left
What hormone is mammary hypertrophy dependent on and who does it happen to the most?
Progesterone - young cats
What is mammary hypertrophy?
Enlarged mammary glands not associated with pregnancy or parturition - non-painful
How do we treat mammary hypertrophy?
Remove progesterone source or give dopamine agonist -> or hysterectomy
Can resolve without treatment
What is ovarian remnant syndrome?
Presence of functional ovarian tissue in ovariohysterectomised queen
How do we diagnose ovarian remnant syndrome?
GnRH challenge, post oestrus P4 after ovulation induction
How do we treat ovarian remnant syndrome?
Surgery after ovulation induction
What is a predisposing factor for pyometra?
Cystic endometrial hyperplasia
Older cats 5-6 years
How do we treat pyometra?
ovariohysterectomy, fluids and antibiotics
How do we evaluate oestrus in big cats?
Faecal progesterone and oestrogen
How many cats can result in 7 years from 1 breeding pair?
400,000
How can we control feral cats?
Trap, neuter and release with cropped ear
GnRH vaccines
Progesterone supplementation -> risk of CEH and pyometra though