Repro

Question 1

Maternal factors of dystocia?

Answer 1

primary or secondary uterine inertia (most common)
small pelvic size
abnormalities of caudal reproductive tract
malnutrition
parasitism

Question 2

Fetal causes of dystocia

Answer 2

fetal malposition (most common)
fetal monsters
true oversize fetuses or fetal oversize in relation to maternal pelvis
fetal death

Question 3

Causes of primary uterine inertia?

Answer 3

small litters (inadequate uterine stimulation)
large litters (overstretching of myometrium)
hypocalcemia
obesity
uterine infection
uterine torsion
trauma

Question 4

7 factors to seek veterinary assistance during labor:

Answer 4

1. labor doesn’t begin when expected (based on temp decrease or calculated due date)
2. stage two labor lasts 4 h+
3. > 2 h between successive fetuses
4. mom looks ill or distressed
5. 30 min + of strong contractions w/o fetus
6. lots of green black discharge prior to FIRST fetus
7. significant bloody discharge

Question 5

Oxytocin MOA?

Answer 5

alters transmembrane ionic currents, increasing sodium permeability of uterine myofibrils, causing myometrium to produce sustained uterine contractions

Question 6

How many pairs of mammary glands do dogs and cats have?

Answer 6

5 pairs in most dogs (although may see 4-6 depending on size of dog)
2 thoracic, two abdominal, 1 inguinal

Cats have 4 pairs
Numbered 1-4 from cranial to caudal

Question 7

What vessels supply the mammary glands?

Answer 7

Cranial glands: cranial superficial epigastric artery (branches off the internal thoracic artery)

Caudal glands: caudal superficial epigastric artery (branches off the external pudendal artery)

Question 8

What is the most common cause of mastitis?

Answer 8

Ascending infection after trauma to the nipples by nursing puppies or kittens

Question 9

Name some predisposing factors to the development of mastitis?

Answer 9

Skin disease
Contamination of mammary glands with lochia
Poor environmental conditions
Overcrowding
Galactostasis shortly before birth, after weaning, or loss of a litter

Question 10

What are the most common bacteria to cause mastitis and how do they typically present?

Answer 10

Staph - lead to abscesses and gangrene
Strep - diffuse and spread into other glands
E. Coli - abscessation and septic mastitis

Question 11

What are the most commonly affected mammary glands in cases of mastitis?

Answer 11

The caudal most glands during the acute phase

Question 12

What signs may be seen with chronic mastitis?

Answer 12

Very few, the glands and milk may appear normal but the offspring may fail to gain weight, lose weight, or die

Question 13

How is a diagnosis of mastitis obtained?

Answer 13

Cytology and culture and susceptibility of milk
Affected gland should be cleaned with dilute chlorhexidine, gloves should be worn, first drop of milk should be discarded

Question 14

How does ultrasound of a normal mammary gland compare to one with mastitis?

Answer 14

In inflamed glands the distinctive layering seen in normal glands is absent.

A loss of echogenicity is also seen (normal glands have a mildly coarse grained and echogenic parenchyma)

Question 15

What are some differentials diagnoses for a swollen, painful, mammary gland other than mastitis?

Answer 15

Mammary neoplasia
Trauma
Galactostasis
Severe pyoderma
Fibroadenomatous mammary hyperplasia (seen in young cats)

Question 16

What are typical antibiotics chosen to treat mastitis and for how long are they typically prescribed?

Answer 16

Ampicillin (or clavamox) and enrofloxacin

Typically prescribed for 3-4 weeks

Question 17

Can puppies/kittens continue to nurse while the mother has mastitis?

Answer 17

Yes, as long as the mother is not septic

Question 18

What antibiotics are safe to use in nursing puppies/kittens?

Which antibiotics are not safe to use in nursing puppies/kittens?

Answer 18

SAFE:
Penicillins
Cephalosporins
Macrolides
*Fluoroquinolones if not yet ambulatory as damage to cartilage will be minimal/may not occur*

UNSAFE:
Chloramphenicol
Tetracyclines
Aminoglycosides

Question 19

Other than antibiotics, what therapies can be done to treat mastitis?

Answer 19

Hot compresses several times daily

Abscesses can be lanced and necrotic tissue removed, should then be flushed with sterile saline

Question 20

What is cabergoline and why is it used during treatment for mastitis?

Answer 20

It is a dopamine agonist
It is used to decrease prolactin and thereby decrease milk production, which prevents galactostasis in the other mammary glands

If offspring are present, it can be given for 2-3 days, if they have been weaned, it can be given for 8 or more days

Question 21

why is cabergoline helpful in the treatment of pyometra?

Answer 21

it is a dopamine agonist that causes luteolysis by reducing prolactin concentrations; should be used along with a prostaglandins analogue