Infertility in the dog and cat workshop

Question 1

What is the common age of puberty in bitches?

Answer 1

6 to 24 months- it is very variable - smaller earlier then larger breeds

Question 2

What is the normal oestrus cycle length?
(P = Proestrus O = Oestrus, L = Luteal, A = Anoestrus)

Answer 2

P10d, O10d, L70d, A150d*

Question 3

Failure to cycle is often a failure of lack of observation of the owner
List 4 things that could indicate that the cycle has been missed

Answer 3

Progesterone will be elevated for 70d
There may be mammary enlargement
There may be lactation
The may be behaviour typical of pseudopregnancy

Question 4

Based on basic principles what is the most likely to result in a failure of the onset of puberty?

Answer 4

there is systemic disease

Question 5

if you suspect primary anoestrus (delayed puberty) in dog what should you do

Answer 5

wait till 24months
consider establishing karotype
at 24 months consider attempting oestrus induction using cabergoline (Galastop)

Question 6

what should you do if bitch clinically well but >12 months since last oestrus

Answer 6

consider oestrus-inducing (e.g. with Cabergoline [Galastop])

Question 7

when is cat first oestrus expected to be

Answer 7

6-10 months
most of the time during first spring time

Question 8

what can affect cat first oestrus

Answer 8

influenced season of birth
body weight/ condition score
puberty frequently occurs during the spring

Question 9

at what point in cat should you investigate primary anoestrus/ how

Answer 9

at 10 months old
same as in bitch

Question 10

Daisy is a 9 month old springer spaniel that has had vulval swelling and a sero-sangineous discharge for 30 days
How to investigate case

Answer 10

vaginal cytology

Question 11

Hetty is 11 months old. Her last oestrus ended 6 weeks ago and she presents today with a swollen vulva and sero-sangineous vulval discharge.
- The owner is concerned that Hetty might have a pyometra.
- Which diagnostic tests are you going to undertake and in what order to rule out a pyometra and make a logical diagnosis

Answer 11

vaginal cytology
uterine ultrasound

Question 12

If prolonged oestrus keeps occuring in a dog what can you do

Answer 12

give hCG or GnRH- during next oestrus to attempt to stimulate ovulation

Question 13

List 5 causes of signs of persistent oestrus in bitches

Answer 13

Failure to ovulate (pubertal animal)
Follicular cysts (rare in the bitch)
Follicular neoplasia (rare in the bitch)
Adrenal neoplasia (rare in the bitch)
exogenous oestrogen exposure

Question 14

T/F bursal cysts are clinically significant

Answer 14

False - don’t produce oestrogen
not significant for cyclicity or fertility

Question 15

how can you differentiate between persistent oestrus and exogenous oestrogen exposure

Answer 15

exogenous oestrogen exposure= male attractiveness but female is not in oestrus

Question 16

what do luteal cysts produce - what are the signs

Answer 16

progesterone
there are signs of acyclicity and occasionally pyometra

Question 17

describe how to treat follicular cysts

Answer 17

hCG administration- cause it to oculate and dog goes into luteal phase
or supression with progestogens

Question 18

describe how to treat luteal cycsts

Answer 18

Usually only diagnosed when Ovarian hysterectomy because of pyometra. No treatment reported.

Question 19

Holly is a 4 year old Bullmastiff. She went to stud at her last cycle and was not mated because she had pain the time of intromission
At this cycle she will not stand to be mated.
what is the approach

Answer 19

Digital examination of the vulval, vestibule, vagina

Question 20

What is the anatomical site of the fusion of the Mullerian Ducts with the Urogenital Sinus?

Answer 20

Vagina / vestibule

Question 21

list the clinical signs of vestibulo-vaginal remnants

Answer 21

Pain at attempted coitus
Chronic vaginitis in some cases

Question 22

describe how to treat vestibulo-vaginal remnants

Answer 22

transection (via episiotomy)

Question 23

List 2 clinical signs of vaginal hyperplasia

Answer 23

A mass at the vulval with the bitch in oestrus
Pain at attempted coitus

Question 24

what is vaginal hyperplasia

Answer 24

Exaggerated response of the vaginal wall to normal oestrogen concentrations during oestrus:
- ventral vaginal wall thickens
- may prolapse
- occasionally is circumferential

Question 25

List 3 possible treatments of vaginal hyperplasia

Answer 25

Conservative (disappears end of oestrus)
Surgical resection
Ovariohysterectomy for prevention

Question 26

what is the most common cause of infertility in dogs

Answer 26

bitch mated at the incorrect tiem

Question 27

List 2 things that can induce pyometras

Answer 27

therapeutic administration of oestrogens for treatment of unwanted pregnancy
therapeutic administration of progestogens for prevention of oestrus

Question 28

what dogs are pyometras most common in

Answer 28

middle aged to elderly bitches

Question 29

describe cystic endometrial hyperplasia

Answer 29

Hyperplasia occurs during each luteal phase in preparation for supporting the pregnancy

Question 30

Describe when pyometras occur in cats

Answer 30

only seen in mated queens
If the queen is not mated she normally does not ovulate and so there is no progesterone to drive the pyometra

Question 31

Describe how we recognise chromosomal abnormalities

Answer 31

needs karyotypin

Question 32

list 3 things seen with phenotypic females

Answer 32

Clitoris enlarges at puberty
Odd shaped vulva (often positioned more cranially)
Male behaviour

Question 33

List 4 things seen with phenotypic males

Answer 33

Small penis with slit-like prepuce that may be more caudal
May have penile bleeding (oestrus)
May have other lesions (eg hypospadias)
May develop pyometra

Question 34

Describe how to treat intersexuality

Answer 34

Removal of reproductive tract including gonads is necessary:
- Female - clitoris may reduce in size after gonadectomy and may then no longer protrude, but later clitoridectomy may be necessary
- Male mainly reducing the risk of pyometra is important.

Question 35

Describe how to conduct a breeding soundness exam in a male

Answer 35

Clinical history
General clinical exam
Observation of libido
Examination of the scrotum
Examination of the testes
Examination of the sheath
Examination of the penis
Examination of the accessory glands
Collection of the ejaculate
?Endocrine testing

Question 36

List 4 things that testicular size correlates with

Answer 36

Total sperm output
Onset of puberty
Testicular degeneration
Advanced testicular pathology

Question 37

Describe what testes normally look like on ultrasound

Answer 37

Normal testes have moderately hypoechoic parenchyma with echogenic stippling

Question 37

what is the most common cause of haemospermia (blood in ejaculate) in dogs

Answer 37

benign prostatic hypoplasia

Question 38

What would be the most useful diagnostic tests in a case with haemospermia

Answer 38

palpation of the prostate per rectum to demonstrate non-painful enlargement
ultrasound exam of prostate