Pregnancy Case studies - bitch

Question 1

4yo FE JRT who escaped from the house when she was in heat approximately 1 month ago

1. DD?
2. Further tests and plan?

Answer 1

Pregnancy is confirmed by this scan, as one embryo is visible, at a stage of development consistent with mating when escaped from house.

No DDx

Plan: either a) Proceed with pregnancy monitoring carefully especially 59-72 days post escape from house or b) give aglepriston 30mg/ml two injections 24 hours apart according to data sheet and repeat scan 10 days later to ensure no longer pregnant

Question 2

5yo FE Labradoodle who had two planned matings 46 and 50 days ago

1. What is it?
2. DD?
3. Plan?

Answer 2

Pregnancy is confirmed by this scan, one foetus is visible, with skeletal development consistent with either mating date

No DDx

Plan: Proceed with pregnancy, watch bitch closely but especially from 59 days from the first mating. If no other foetuses visible on scan, this bitch is at increased risk of dystocia

Question 3

5yo FE Border Collie who was in season 6 weeks ago and has been off her food for the last 24hrs

1. What is the uterus like?
2. DD?
3. Further tests?
4. Plan?

Answer 3

Uterus currently appears normal

DDx: non reproductive reason for illness, vaginitis, pseudopregnancy

Further tests: Full clinical exam with attention to vulva and nipples

Plan: Act on findings accordingly, rescan in 2 days if nothing else found

Question 4

7yo FE Rottweiler with a 2 day history of vaginal discharge

1. What can you see?
2. DD?
3. Further tests an plan?

Answer 4

Anechoic uterine horns with no visible conceptuses are consistent with pyometra

No DDx

Further tests: Full clinical exam, haematology, biochemistry

Plan: Intravenous fluid therapy, ovariohysterectomy

Question 5

5yo FN Shih Tzu who was spayed following a pyometra, now suffering from V+ & D+. Palpable mass in the caudal abdomen (2 images)

1. Describe the findings
2. DD?
3. Plan?

Answer 5

Mixed echogenicity mass visible dorsal to bladder neck on sagittal scan, measurements on transverse scan

DDx: Neoplasia, stump granuloma, stump pyometra

Plan: haematology and biochemistry, radiography of abdomen and chest, exploratory surgery

Question 6

When ultrasounding for pregnancy, where will we see the colon?

Answer 6

The colon lies dorsal and often to the left of the bladder

Question 7

On pregnancy ultrasound, what will we see on day 15?

Answer 7

DAY 15: Conceptuses may be first imaged from 15 days after ovulation, appearing as spherical anechoic structures approximately 2 mm in diameter. The anechoic fluid is the yolk sac. It is not until the yolk sac is filled with a sufficient volume of fluid that the pregnancy can first be imaged.

Uterine enlargement occurs during the luteal phase whether the bitch is pregnant or non-pregnant. During early pregnancy the embryo is located adjacent to the uterine wall and is not imaged.

Question 8

On pregnancy ultrasound, what will we see on day 20?

Answer 8

DAY 20: From day 20 after ovulation the conceptus is approximately 7 mm in diameter and 15 mm in length and the embryo can be imaged. The presence of the embryonic heart beat can be detected from approximately 22 days after ovulation.

The foetal membranes are complicated and may appear confusing ultrasonographically. The developing allantois initially appears as a nearly spherical structure within the conceptus which subsequently increases in size and surrounds the yolk sac. A third fluid filled sac, the amnion, may be noted later in pregnancy surrounding, and initially close in apposition to, the foetus.

Question 9

On pregnancy ultrasound, what will we see on day 32-55?

Answer 9

DAY 32 – 55: The most rapid growth of the foetus occurs during this time. The limb buds become apparent and there is clear differentiation of the head, trunk and abdomen. The zonary placenta can usually be easily identified from this stage of pregnancy onwards.

Question 10

On pregnancy ultrasound, what will we see on day 40-45?

Answer 10

DAY 40 onwards: The foetal skeleton becomes evident. Foetal bone appears hyperechoic, and casts acoustical shadows. The heart can easily be identified as the hyperechoic valves can be seen to move.

Lung tissue surrounding the heart is hyperechoic with respect to the liver, and the region of the forming diaphragm can easily be identified.

Question 11

On pregnancy ultrasound, what will we see on day 45 onwards?

Answer 11

DAY 45 onwards: It is possible to identify the fluid-filled (anechoic) stomach, and a few days later the bladder can be imaged.

Question 12

When can we detect a fetal heart beat?

Answer 12

The presence of the embryonic heart beat can be detected from approximately 22 days after ovulation.

Question 13

Which day does fetal skeleton become evident?

Answer 13

Day 40 onwards