Overview- Repro

Question 1

What are the normal anatomical parts of the female repro system?

Answer 1

2 ovaries (each within an oviduct)
2 uterine horns
uterine body
cervix
vagina
vulva

Question 2

Order the phases of the ovarian cycle

Answer 2

proestrus
estrus
diestrus
anestrus

Question 3

Proestrus

• duration
• signs

Answer 3

10 days

• vaginal bleeding
• vulvar swelling
• increased teasing with males, but prevention of mounting

Question 4

Proestrus hormonal changes

Answer 4

-increasing estrogen (b/c follicles are developing)

Question 5

Estrus

• duration
• signs

Answer 5

5-9 days

• female actively seeks and stands for male
• vulva is soft; no longer swollen

Question 6

Estrus hormonal changes

Answer 6

• decreasing estrogen levels
• increasing progesterone levels
• luteinizing hormone (LH) is stimulated by these changes and peaks around day 2 of estrus
• ovulation (release of ova from mature follicle) occurs 24-72hrs after LH peaks

Question 7

Diestrus

• duration
• signs

Answer 7

56-58 days (if pregnant)
60-100 days (if not pregnant)

• female absolutely refused a mounting male
• vulva has returned to normal

Question 8

Diestrus hormonal changes

Answer 8

progesterone predominates

Question 9

Anestrus

• duration
• signs

Answer 9

50ish days

no CS to distinguish between end of diestrus and begenning of anestrus

Question 10

Anestrus hormonal changes

Answer 10

• estrogen levels vary widely
• LH tends to have sporadic peaks
• progesterone levels remain extremely low

Question 11

Questions to ask if suspected reproductive Dz

Answer 11

a. Is the patient currently suspected to be pregnant?
i. When was the last date of known breeding?
ii. How many times was breeding attempted?
iii. Were there any problems noted during breeding attempts?
b. How many heat cycles has the patient previously experienced?
i. When was the first heat cycled noted in this patient?
ii. Have any problems been seen during previous heat cycles?
c. Has breeding been attempted in the past?
i. Has it always been successful in producing pregnancy?
ii. If pregnancy occurred, how many times? Always carried to term?
iii. Were previous litters considered healthy?
d. What info is known about the patient’ mother and her breeding success? What about any siblings?
e. What are the current clinical signs?
i. Any vaginal discharge?
ii. Unproductive abdominal contractions?
iii. Have any puppies been produced so far?
iv. Are there any apparent signs of pain/discomfort?
f. Any other clinical signs noted?
i. Vomiting?
ii. Diarrhea?
iii. How is the appetite?
iv. When has she last eaten?
v. How is her water intake and has it changed?
vi. How is her urine output?
vii. Has she gained or lost weight?
g. How is her attitude?
i. Pacing? Anxious?
Lethargic? Depressed?