Pregnancy and gestation

Question 1

pregnancy diagnosis (canine and feline)

Answer 1

-relaxin blood test (22-30 days)
-palpation (6-30 days in cats, about 4-5 weeks in dogs)
-size changes in girth apparent ~ week 6 in dogs
-ultrasound to detect (6 weeks in dogs, 20 days post coitus in cats)
-X-ray final week=#of puppies

Question 2

mismating and termination of pregnancy

Answer 2

-morning after injections (estradiol cypionate)
-serial injections of estrogen
-hysterectomy early

-later pregnancy termination:
-dexamethasone tabs in dogs (35-40 days)
-prostaglandin in cat (40 days)

Question 3

neutering (gonadectomy)

Answer 3

-spaying and castration
-commonly encourages to prevent accidents
-license fees less
-mandatory in most pound adoptees

Question 4

spay

Answer 4

-ovariohysterectomy
-removal of ovaries and uterus
-prevention of estrus
-progestins

Question 5

mammary tumours in dogs

Answer 5

-spaying reduces the risk
-risk for mammary tumour if spayed:
-before first heat: 0.05%
-after first heat: 8.0%
-after second heat: 26%
-study found non-malignant tumours less in spayed dogs

Question 6

mammary tumors in cats

Answer 6

-greatest risk at 10-14 years
-intact females at greater risk
-~80-90% tumors malignant
-spaying reduced risk by 90%

Question 7

casteration

Answer 7

-surgical removal of the testicles
-advised in dogs with undescended testicles due to its increased risk of malignancy
-some castrated males still copulate

Question 8

chemical sterilization

Answer 8

-FDA in the US approved neutersol in 2003
-for males 3-10 months
-zinc gluconate injection into scrotum
-shrinks testes but doesnt halt testosterone production-atrophy of testes, epididymis, seminiferous tubules, prostate gland
-scar tissue formation which prevents movement of sperm
-“suprelorin” implant

Question 9

vasectomy/hysterectomy

Answer 9

-tufts U study suggest that feral cats who are not completely neutered continue to:
-mate
-exhibit social dominance
-protect their territory
-leads to the quickest decrease in feral cat populations
-challenge to get some vets to do this

Question 10

why not to spay

Answer 10

-estrogen in beneficial to bone health
-urinary incontinence increased when spayed
-neutered cats care not only at higher risk of becoming obese, but also have increased risk of developing diabetes than sexually intact cats

Question 11

why not to castrate

Answer 11

-testosterone improves stamina
-increased obesity in castrated males
-10% of males neutered develop hip dysplasia (vs 5% of intact)
-study suggests osteocalcin, a hormone produced in bone, is important in testicular function and fat metabolism
-prostate cancer risk