Mating and Pregnancy - Canine and Feline Flashcards
Is the mating process faster in canines or felines?
felines
What important routine medication should be given before mating?
boosters and wormer
How are the male and female cat introduced to each other before mating?
female is usually brought to the male as he is more confidant in his own territory, they are usually housed next to each other for a couple of days.
How will a male cat respond to the presence of a female in heat?
urinate within his environment
Describe the process of mating in cats
male grabs female by the scruff (neck) and female remains still.
Mounts with fore legs and then hind legs.
Penetration does not last long and ejaculation follows almost immediately.
as male withdraws the queen often vocalises loudly and may turn to attack him due to the barbs on his penis
What are the functions of the barbs on the tom cats penis?
cause quick release of LH which induces ovulation
How many times will cats mate?
for 1-3 days can mate every 15-60 minutes
When does the mating process between canines need to take place?
while the female is ovulating
what sort of ovulators are dogs?
spontaneous
Why is the bitch taken to the stud for mating?
territory
Why is it better to use at least one experience dog during mating?
2 maiden dogs may not be sure what to do, guidance is needed by an experienced dog
When is the optimum time for mating in canines?
when the bitch is ovulating
How does the bitch indicate she is willing to stand?
moving tail to the side (flagging and winking)
Describe the process of mating in dogs
male dog mounts the female (support may be required for the bitch from assistants) and a tie occurs
ejaculation occurs quickly
male and female can remain in a tie for 5-20 minutes but can be up to an hour
What is a tie?
male is locked into a female by contraction of her vaginal muscles
What is the classic tie position?
two dogs stand rear to rear but are still locked together
why is restraint during the tie needed?
to ensure the dogs don’t drag each other around
why must bitches be kept away from other dogs for up to a week?
possible for litters to have more than one father
when does fertilisaition occur?
72 hours post mating
When does implantation occur?
up to 21 days later
What is the average gestation period in the bitch?
60-70 days
when do bitches typically whelp?
day 63-65
What is the average gestation period in the queen?
56-70 days
when do queens typically kitten?
day 65-67
How many days early or late can parturation occur with no effect?
7 days
What effect can very early or late parturation have?
small litters
What tests can pregnancy be confirmed by?
vaginal mucous smears palpation radiography hormone assay ultrasound
Whan are foetuses palpable in cats?
15-20 days
When are foetuses palpable in dogs?
28 days
when can ultrasounds be successful in confirming pregnancy in queens?
15 days
when can ultrasounds be successful in confirming pregnancy in bitches?
21 days
What is a key sign of pregnancy in cats?
failure to return to oestrus
What day of pregnancy do cats teats become more vascular?
21
What day of pregnancy do cats abdomens become larger?
35
What day of pregnancy can kittens be seen moving though the cats abdomen?
49
Should bitches remain active through pregnancy?
yes
When should bitches receive a booster vaccine?
pre-mating
What does the pregnancy worming routine depend on?
manufactures guidelines and practice policy
what week of pregnancy does calorie need increase?
2nd week
By how much should calories increase after week 2 of pregnancy?
70%
What should the size and frequency of meals be after week 2 of pregnancy?
small and often
By how much does energy requirement increase by week after week 6 of pregnancy?
10%
What sort food is often fed after week 3/4 of pregnancy?
puppy food as it is 30% higher in protein, fat and multiple soluble vitamins
Why is a change of diet needed after week 3/4 of pregnancy?
loss of appetite and nausea are common
when should the bitch be introduced to the whelping box?
3 weeks prior to parturition
what are the most import features of the area a bitch or queen is to give birth?
quiet
escape proof
at what point prior to parturition does the rectal temperature fall in bitches and queens?
24 hours
by how many degrees does a bitch or queens temperature drop before parturition?
1-3 degrees
what are the signs of onset of parturition?
rectal temperature falls by 1-3 degrees nest making shivering/shaking loss of appetite vomiting restlessness/pacing enlargement of vaginal lips licking genital area obvious mammary development (milk in teats) clear discharge from vulva
which of the signs of onset of parturition can occur up to 24hours prior to parturition?
fall of rectal temperature
loss of appetite
clear discharge from vulva
What are the stages of parturition?
preparation 1st stage 2nd stage 3rd stage 4th stage (puerperium)
how long does the preparation stage of parturition last?
1-3 days
what happens during the preparation stage of parturition?
colostrum present in mammary glands
relaxation of vaginal and perineal tissues
drop in rectal temp
nest making
what causes the first stage of parturition?
foetus’ begin to move
cervix and vagina relax and dilate
intermittent uterine contractions can be seen but no visible straining
how long can the first stage of parturition last?
1-12 hours
what are the signs of the first stage of parturition?
restlessness onset of slight contractions panting nest making anorexia shivering vomiting queens will vocalise and groom queens may cry when visiting litter tray
what can be seen at vulva during the first stage of parturition?
water bag
how long does the second stage of parturition last?
3-12 hours
what position of the fetuses causes straining?
head of fetus in pelvic area
in what position may bitches be during stage 2 of parturition?
lateral recumbancy or standing
how long does the second stage of parturition last?
3-12 hours
what are the signs of the second stage of parturition?
intense and regular contractions
dam will crouch/stand/lie
water bag is seen at vulva
fetuses move through cervix to vagina
what happens just before the fetuses are delivered?
dam ruptures water bags to release the fluid
what should the dam do when the puppy/kitten is born?
dam licks away the remains of water bag and to stimulate puppy/kitten
the umbilical chord is broken, either when puppy/kitten is born or dam bites through it
what stages of parturition may overlap?
2nd and 3rd
what litter sizes produce smaller gaps between deliveries?
large litter sizes
what length should the interval between births be?
15-60 mins
what level of intervention is best during stage 2 and 3?
minimal
what happens at the 3rd stage of parturition?
delivery of placentas
how long may the 3rd stage of parturition take?
5-15 minutes
how long does the 4th stage of parturition last?
4-6 weeks post parturition
what is the name for the fourth stage of parturition?
puerperium
what happens during puerperium?
reproductive system returns to original state uterine involution (becomes smaller) bleeding stops dam temps returns to normal
how many weeks into puerperium does bleeding from the dam cease?
1 week
how many weeks into puerperium does the dam’s temperature return to normal?
1 week
What should happen at the end of parturition (stage 3 end)?
all placentas delivered
no heavy bleeding
puppies/kittens are warm, dry, vigorous and suckling
mum cleans herself, eats, drink and urinates/defacates
how many placentas should there be delivered at the end of parturition (stage 3 end)?
the same as the number of puppies
what two categories can dystocia be divided into?
fetal and maternal
what is the correct presentation of the foetus for birth?
headfirst (anterior longitudinal) with legs forwards
what is posterior presentation of a fetus?
tail and hindlimbs first
at what point is posterior presentation of a fetus problematic during delivery?
if the sac breaks
what is breech presentation?
bottom first with legs tucked around body
how is dystocia identified?
unproductive straining for 1 hour
what problems can arise during parturition?
dam not releasing puppy/kitten from the bag after several minutes
intact umbilical chord
puppy/kitten not born within 30 minutes of seeing the water bag
dystocia
dam becomes weak
mor ethan 2 hours between fetuses
2nd stage lasts longer than 12 hours
red/green vaginal discharge seen in bitches
brown vaginal discharge seen in queens
what can red/green discharge in bitches and brown discharge in queens suggest?
placental abruption
what are the main causes of foetal dystocia?
oversize relative to birth canal
why may a fetus be oversize relative to the birth canal?
breed conformation
actual oversize
fetal abnormalities
What fetal abnormalities may cause fetal dystocia?
hydrops fetalis, anasarca, hydrocephalus, twins
what is hydrops fetalis?
large fluid build up within tissues/organs causing massive swelling
what is anasarca?
pronounced general oedema
what is hydrocephalus?
build up of CSF in the brain
aside from over size of foetus, what are the 2 other causes of fetal dystocia?
abnormal foetal position
fetus exiting one horn and entering the other, blocking the entrance to the uterine body
what are the causes of maternal dystocia?
uterine inertia herniation adhesions torsion lack of allantoic fluid rupture birth canal abnormalities
what birth canal abnormalities can cause maternal dystocia?
steep pelvic floor (brachycephallics), vaginal abnormalities, stricture, vulvar oedema
what are the two types of uterine inertia?
primary and secondary
what is primary uterine inertia?
contractions do not begin/ are absent
what can cause primary uterine inertia?
insufficient stimulation - small litter (lower plasma concentration of birth stimulating hormone)
overstretching of uterine muscles (too many puppies)
inherited problems
overweight/anxious dam
where is primary uterine inertia often seen?
common in young bitches with small litters and overweight bitches with large litters
what is secondary uterine inertia?
uterine contractions stop once they have started
what is secondary uterine inertia caused by?
uterine exhaustion after obstructive dystocia
how can secondary uterine inertia be treated?
if dystocia can be reversed give IV calcium and oxytocin
if not: caesarean
what are the 2 types of primary uterine inertia?
complete and partial
how should primary uterine inertia be treated?
calm the dam
small amount of exercise
manual stimulation of vaginal wall
seek veterinary surgeons advice
what are the foetal causes of obstructions?
malpresentation
foetal oversize
foetal malformation
foetal death
what can foetal oversize be caused by?
small litter size or mismatched breeding
what are maternal causes of obstruction?
narrow pelvic canal
abnormalities in the birth canal (e.g. neoplasia)
uterine rupture
congenital malformation of uterus
how can obstructions be managed?
manual manipulation of foetus
how should manual manipulation of the foetus be managed?
restrain the dam
asepsis vital
lubricate hands, foetus and dam
hold only the torso of foetus
what is the next step if manual manipulation of the foetus doesn’t work?
caesarean
what should be considered before the beginning of a caesarean?
type of anesthesia
number of people needed to revive puppies/kittens
what are the reasons for cesarean section?
uterine inertia (primary or secondary) foetal malposition foetal oversize foetal death excess or deficiency of foetal fluids birth canal deformity illness or trauma of dam
what is the process for resuscitation of neonates?
free airway
rub with towel to stimulate breathing and dry them
swab away excess fluid
gently swing puppy/kitten in an arc using a towel
massage chest
drugs (to stimulate respiration)
how many days after birth should kittens be handled?
after 3 days
what sort of environment should kittens be raised in?
quiet
what days do umbilical chords fall off?
day 3-6
when do kittens eyes open?
day 8-10
when would kittens be given food?
4 weeks
when are kittens weaned?
6 weeks
what checks should be made of the queen after birth?
feed extra
check mammary glands
licking of kittens vulva and anus
what is ‘activated sleep’ in puppies?
growth is stimulated by sleep
how many days after birth to puppies eyes open?
10-14
are puppies deaf and blind when born?
yes
how often do puppy/kittens need to be fed when being hand reared for the first 3 weeks?
every 2 hours
what sort of milk should be used when hand rearing puppies/kittens?
kitten/puppy milk substitute not cows milk
why is it important that kittens/puppies are not fed cows milk?
it doesn’t contain the correct level of calcium and phosphate
can cause diarrhoea which can cause them to become quickly dehydrated
what can be done to encourage kittens/puppies to defecate during hand rearing?
wiping with a damp swab
