Reproduction Flashcards
At what age range do dogs typically reach puberty?
Between 6 and 23 months. Small dogs typically turn earlier than large dogs.
What can cause delayed puberty in dogs?
Systemic disease
Slow weight gain
Chromosomal abnormality
When do queens first come into oestrus?
6 to 10 months of age - can be influenced by season and bcs/weight. Occurs in the spring.
What are some causes of prolonged proestrus/oestrus?
Can be normal
Follicular cysts
Ovarian tumours
Adrenal tumours
Non-oestrus attraction
What is a split oestrus?
Normal oestrus followed by another a short time later. Absence of ovulation.
What is a silent oestrus?
Normal cyclicity without external signs.
What can cause prolonged anoestrus?
Failure of observation
Systemic disease
Drug-induced
What is the optimal mating time in the bitch?
Ovulation can vary between day 5 and day 32.
What are causes for a bitch to fail to get/stay pregnant?
Inappropriate mating times
Male factor infertility
Abnormal uterine environment
What is a pyometra?
Bacterial contamination of the uterus. May occur during oestrus when the cervix is relaxed.
What age of dogs are pyometras most common?
Middle aged to older bitches
What hormone do follicular cysts produce?
Oestrogen
What hormone do luteal cysts produce?
Progesterone
What is the most common type of ovarian tumour?
Granulosa cell tumours
What are some signs of libido?
Sniffing, jumping and playing
Bitch stands and deviates tail
Rapid thrusting movements
Dogs tie and turn to face caudally
What are some characteristics of normal testicles?
Freely moveable
Even
U/s: Moderately hypoechoic parenchyma, echogenic stippling
What are the 3 fractions of ejaculate?
- 0.5 to 2ml of prostatic fluid containing no sperm. During foreplay.
- 0.5 to 2ml of sperm rich semen deposited in cranial vagina. During intromission.
- 15 to 20ml of prostatic fluid containing no sperm. During tie.
What problems can occur during mating?
Poor libido - inexperienced or poor management
Mating difficult - inexperience, abnormal conformation, psychological
Describe the bitch’s breeding cycle
Mono-oestrus, non-seasonal, spontaneous ovulators, long anoestrus
Describe the queen’s breeding cycle
Poly-oestrus, seasonal, induced ovulatory, no luteal phase is not ovulating
What virus causes vestibular lesions in the genital tract of dogs and bitches? Can also cause reabsorption, abortion and stillbirths in bitches.
Canine herpes virus
How can canine herpes virus be acquired?
Venereally or via respiratory tract
What four viruses can cause pregnancy loss in the bitch?
Canine herpes virus
Parvovirus
Adenovirus
Distemper
What 3 viruses can cause pregnancy loss in the queen?
Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV)
Feline herpes virus
Feline panleukopenia virus
What features of vaginal endoscopy can be used to indicate when the bitch is coming into ovulation?
Change in size, colour, moistness and contour of the mucosal folds
From what day of pregnancy can you use ultrasound to P/D in the bitch?
Day 20 after ovulation
From what day of pregnancy can you use ultrasound to P/D in the queen?
Day 18 after ovulation
What signs of foetal death can be detected on radiography?
Loss of normal posture
Overlapping of skull bites
Accumulation of gas in the foetus/uterus
What is the most commonest cause of infertility in the bitch?
Mating at the incorrect time
What is the most commonest cause of infertility in the queen?
Mating an insufficient number of times on the correct day.
What is pituitary dwarfism?
Congenital growth hormone deficiency - abnormal development of the pituitary gland where hormone producing cells fail to differentiate during gestation
What breed of dog is pre-disposed with pituitary dwarfism?
German Shepherds
What hormones are involved in pituitary dwarfism?
TSH, prolactin, gonadotrophins
What clinical signs are present with pituitary dwarfism?
Stunted growth
Delaying dentition
Puppy coat, bilateral symmetrical alopecia
Abnormal reproductive development
What treatment is available for pituitary dwarfism?
Growth hormones, progestogens, supplement thyroxine
What is abnormal in primary congenital hypothyroidism?
The thyroid glands
What is abnormal in secondary congenital hypothyroidism?
The pituitary gland
What is normal in tertiary congenital hypothyroidism?
Hypothalamus
What are signs of disproportionate dwarfism?
Wide skull
Macroglossia
Delayed dentition
What are the clinical signs of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency?
Weight loss/stunted growth
Voluminous fatty diarrhoea
Flatulence
Borborygmi
Vomiting
Polydipsia
Greasy hair coat
How do you treat exocrine pancreatic insufficiency?
Supplement pancreatic enzymes
Avoid high fat/fibre
What is the definition of juvenile diabetes mellitus?
Insulin deficiency (usually absolute) <6months of age.
What are the clinical signs of juvenile diabetes mellitus?
Stunted growth, signs of adult diabetes mellitus, concurrent disorders - EPI
What is a shunt?
When a foetal vascular structure fails to close
How do portosystemic shunts typically present?
Neuro signs/ hepatic encephalopathy - depression, blindness, ataxia, seizures
GI - Hypersalivation, V+, D+
Urinary - Dysuria, pollakiuria, haematuria, stranguria
Stunted growth
How do acquired shunts present differently to congenital shunts?
Present with ascites
How does a persistent right aortic arch present?
Regurgitation soon after weaning due to compression on the oesophagus.
What are the types of congenital renal disease?
Dysplasia/hypoplasia
Aplasia/Agenesis
Renal fusion
How much weight should a puppy gain each day from the day its born?
5 to 10% per day
What should the respiratory rate of a new born puppy be?
15-50 breaths per minute
What should the temperature of a new-borns puppy be?
34 degrees Celsius
Is green/red/brown discharge normal after parturition?
Yes
What are the 4 steps of monitoring new born puppies for the first 2 weeks of life?
- Ensure colostrum and milk intake
- Hydration status
- Monitoring environmental environmental temperature and pup behaviour
- Regular clinical examination
How to monitor hydration status in the neonate?
Urine exam, weight gain and skin elasticity
What antimicrobial may be considered in the neonate with minor disease?
Amoxiclav
What are signs of significant disease in the neonate?
Onset of downward spiral. Failure to suck resulting in circulatory collapse and death.
What are the most life threatening problems for a puppy between 2 and 6 weeks of age?
Dehydration for diarrhoea
Internal/external parasites
Traumatic insults
What are clinical signs of a fading puppy?
Poor respiratory function
Respiratory distress
Inability to suck
Fatal hypoxia
Dehydration
Low blood sugars
Hypothermia and death
What percentage of mammary tumours are malignant in dogs?
50%
What percentage of mammary tumours are malignant in cats?
85%
What are the pre-disposing factors for mammary neoplasia
Previous use of progesterone
Early ovariectomy reduces risk
Obesity
Hormone receptors
What are poor prognostic indicators for mammary neoplasia?
Rapid growth, poor delineation, inflammatory tissue, ulceration, regional metastasis, large size
What surgical techniques are there for removal of mammary tumours?
Lumpectomy
Single, regional or complete mastectomy
What is galactostasis?
Congestion of the mammary gland
How do you treat galactostasis?
Reduce food intake, cold packs and encourage suckling/milking
What is agalactia?
Failure of milk production or milk let-down
How do you treat agalactia?
Metoclopramide (production) or oxytocin (let-down)
What bacteria are common pathogens for mastitis?
E.coli
Streptococcus
Staphylococcus
What are clinical signs of mastitis?
Swelling, heat, pain, abscessation
What initial antibiotics are recommended for the treatment of mastitis?
Cephalexin and amoxiclav.
What hormone causes pseudopregnancy?
Prolactin
What is fibroepithelial hyperplasia?
Significant mammary enlargement causes by local growth hormone production in response to progesterone
What are clinical signs of fibroepithelial hyperplasia?
Glands are firm, massive, oedematous, ulcerated.
FNA shows epithelial and spindle cells.
How do you treat fibroepithelial hyperplasia?
Remove progesterone stimulation - surgery, monitor
What are common testicular diseases?
Tumours
Abnormal descent
Degeneration
Torsion of spermatic cord
Orchitis
Inguinal hernia
What is balanoposthitis?
Inflammation of the penis and preputial lining
What is balanitis?
Inflammation of the penis - haemorrhagic spots on the penile skin
What is phimosis?
Abnormally small preputial orifice
What is azoospermia?
Apparently normal ejaculation but no sperm
What diagnostic techniques are available for the prostate gland?
Rectal palpation and massage
Radiography and U/S
Semen evaluation
Urinalysis
Prostatic aspiration/biopsy
Haematology + blood culture
What hormones are related to benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Androgen and oestrogen ratios
What treatment options are available for benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Castration, progestogens, GnRH depot agonist, Finasteride
What pathogen most commonly causes acute bacterial prostatitis?
E.Coli
What treatment options are available for cystic uterus masculinus?
Castration, surgical excision +/- omentalisation
What is the most common type of prostatic neoplasia?
Adenocarcinoma
What are some indicators of poor mothering behaviour?
Bitch won’t settle
Picks up and carries pups
Doesn’t let them suck
Aggressive to owner or visitors
Aggressive to pups
How long does normal uterine involution take in the bitch?
12 weeks
How long does normal uterine involution take in the queen?
6 weeks
What is the treatment for suspected retained foetal membranes?
Oxytocin and antibiotics.
Consider low dose prostaglandin
In what time period should the pup’s placenta be passed?
Within 20 minutes of each pup.
What can cause post-partum metritis?
Difficult or prolonged births
Placental retention
Abortion
What are the clinical signs of post-partum metritis?
Depression, pyrexia, anorexia, purulent vulval discharge, neutrophilia with left shift, uterine enlargement
What is the treatment for post-partum metritis?
Broad spectrum antibiotics, fluid therapy, ecbolic agents
What are the clinical signs of hypocalcaemia?
Nervousness
Panting
Whining
Hypersalivation
Stiff gait
Tetany
What treatment is used for excessive milk production at weaning?
Cabergoline
What is conception failure?
Not getting pregnant
What is resorption?
Loss of the embryo
What is abortion?
Loss and expulsion of the foetus
What is a stillbirth?
Expulsion of term but death foetus
What causes mating induced endometritis?
Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and commensal bacteria
What are the clinical signs of canine herpes virus in neonates?
Sudden death
Haemorrhage
Vomiting/diarrhoea
Weight loss and failure to suck
Constant complaining
Neurological signs
Ocular disorders
What are non-infectious causes of resorption and abortion?
Abnormal uterine environmental, foetal abnormalities or low progesterone
What is the normal length of dog gestation?
63 +/- 1 day from ovulation
What is the normal foetal heart rate at term?
170-230bpm or at least 4x maternal HR
What does a foetal heart rate of less than 150bpm indicate?
Stress/hypoxia
What does a foetal heart rate of less than 130bpm indicate?
Poor survival if not delivered with 2 to 3 hours
What does a foetal heart rate of less than 100bpm indicate?
Immediate intervention to hasten delivery before demise of puppies
What hormones increase from the release of GnRH agonists?
LH and FSH
What are GnRH agonists licenced for?
Control of behaviour and fertility in male dogs
Temporary suppression of oestrus and delay of puberty in bitches
What are the negative feedback effects of progestogens?
Closes the cervix
Stimulates endometrial proliferation
Suppresses myometrial activity
Mammary enlargement
What are the adverse effects of progestogens?
Increased appetite
Risk of cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH)
Acromegaly, coat changes
Suppression of spermatogenesis
Masculinised female pups, cryptorchid male pups.
What is the treatment of pseudopregnancy?
Progestogens, cabergoline
What are the effects of oestrogens on the reproductive tract?
Oedema, pheromone production and changes the function of the uterine tube and uterus.
What do prostaglandins cause?
The lysis of the corpus luteum.
What are the adverse effects of prostaglandins?
Restlessness, hypersalivation, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, pyrexia
How do you treat an open pyometra?
Low dose prostaglandin, twice daily for 5 to 10 days.
IVFT and suitable ABs
What are the actions of oxytocin?
Contraction of the uterine smooth muscle when receptors are present.
Pharmacological contraction of uterine smooth muscle when few receptors are present
Aid milk let-down
What are the adverse effects of prolactin inhibitors?
Nausea, vomiting, lethargy, abortion and return to oestrus
What are the uses progesterone receptor antagonists?
Prevention of implantation, termination of pregnancy at any stage, treatment of pyometra
When is melatonin produced?
In response to decreased daylight
What are the advantages of surgical sterilisation?
Reduction in incidence of mammary neoplasia
Prevention of uterine disease
Prevention of ovarian disease
Prevention of endocrine disease
What are the disadvantages of surgical sterilisation?
Increased incidence of urinary incontinence
Changes in coat texture
Tendence to gain weight
Changes in behaviour
Increase incidence of some neoplasia
Why is there an increased risk of regurgitation and aspiration pneumonia for the pregnant bitch under GA?
Increased gastric motility and reduced oesophageal sphincter tone
Why would the pregnant bitch need more oxygen during GA?
Increased oxygen consumption and basal metabolic rate due to increased cardiac workload to meet the needs of the foetuses.
What premed considerations are needed for a pregnant bitch?
Use low-end of dose range (up to 60% less)
Consider an opioid - methadone
Pre-oxygenate to prevent hypoxaemia
Consider omeprazole and maropitant
