SA 2

Question 1

parturition occurs when? (3 things(

Answer 1

• 65 days after LH surge
• 63 days after ovulation
• 57 days after onset of cytological diestris

bonus: if counted from the day of breeding, can range from 57 to 72 days

Question 2

describe what the following hormones are doing during pregnancy:
- GnRH
- prolactin
- progesterone

Answer 2

GnRH: produced in low concentrations–>stimulating LH (which stims progesterone from CL) and FSH (mild increase of estrogen through pregnancy

Prolactin: luteotropic/supports CL, initally from pituitary and also placenta, causes development of mammary tissue

Progesterone: from CL the entire pregnancy, maintained by LH and prolactin

Question 3

what hormone do we use for pregnancy diagnosis in the dog and why?

Answer 3

relaxin–>only pregnancy specific hormone in the dog, produced by the placenta, not detectable until 3rd/4th week of pregnancy

Question 4

This will be on the midterm! An owner brings you her show dog Molly to “see if shes pregnant”. First thing you want to do is an abdominal palpation to see what you can feel in there. The owner has no idea how many “days” in to her supposed pregnancy the dog is. You explain to her what you can feel at certain days, which is:

Answer 4

• ovoid swellings as early as 17-22 days after ovulation, becoming more distinct at 28 to 30 days after ovulation
• by days 35 to 45, they elongate

Question 5

when you abdominally palpate Molly the showdog you can feel elongated swellings. How many days after ovulation is she? The owner asks how we can tell how many puppies are in there. You tell her…

Answer 5

if the swellings are elongated it is 35 to 45 days post ovulation

ultrasound isn’t good for telling number of puppies, but radiographs are!

ultrasound can pick up puppies at 21 days after ovulation, and rads can be 21 to 42 days

Question 6

Molly’s owners want to do radiographs to determine number of puppies. Considering on abdominal palpation you could feel elongated swellings, will you be able to count the number of puppies on rads? What would you say to the owner?

Answer 6

calcification of the fetal skeleton happens 43 to 46 days after ovulation. If I can palpate elongated swellings, this means shes 35-45, so there’s a chance we can see puppy skeletons, but there’s also a chance we’re a bit too early. We can do them today, or we could wait one week to do rads to ensure the number of puppies would show up.

Question 7

What CBC abnormality do dogs have especially in late gestation?

Answer 7

a normocytic, normochromic anemia

Question 8

Molly the showdog’s owners ask what they should be feeding her while pregnant. You say…

Answer 8

avoid overfeeding her and gradually increase feed intake by 25-30% over the last 4 weeks of gestation. Puppy food is usually adequate

Question 9

Molly the pregnant showdog’s owners say “hey doc, my buddy who’s a breeder says I need to monitor Molly’s temp, what’s that about?” you tell them…

Answer 9

it is a way to predict whelping/parturition–>since progesterone increases closer and closer to parturition and it is a thermogenic molecule, the temperature can increase when it gets close to the time of whelping. best way to do this is to get a rectal temp 2-3 times a day at least 5 days before the due date. The temp will drop by 1 degree and then increase again within 24 hours of parturition (this is also what progesterone does)

Question 10

what placental shape and placental type do dogs have?

Answer 10

zonary, endotheliochorial

Question 11

Molly the pregnant showdog’s owners talk about how the last time they had a dog give birth, there was some greenish black discharge after all the puppies came out. They’re concerned this was abnormal. What do you tell them?

Answer 11

this is normal after placental separation during parturition–>breakdown of biliverdin

Question 12

A breeder comes to your emergency clinic with their dog Rose, and say she’s pregnant and was diagnosed by their primary vet. She has green/black vulvular discharge. You can tell her mammary tissue is ready for puppies. She has not started whelping; she only seems anxious. What are you suspicious of?

Answer 12

this pigment is uteroverdin, which means the placenta has detached (premature placental separation) and at least 1 puppy is compromised–>you need to do an ultrasound to see if the puppies are alive

Question 13

briefly describe the stages of parurition (midterm question)

Answer 13

stage I: uterine contractions/dilation of cervix, 6-12 hours, restlessness, anorexia

stage II: ferguson’s reflex (pressure on cervix causes uterine contractions), puppies come out usually 1 every 30 minutes to 1 hour, for large litters can last 24 hours. Mother removes fetal membranes, may ingest them, and licks the puppies to stim CV system

stage III: expulsion of fetal membranes (can be with puppy or 5-15 mins after birth)

Question 14

How common are retained fetal membranes in dogs?

Answer 14

very uncommon

Question 15

Molly the showdog’s owners ask you, “hey doc, how long does it take for Molly’s system to recover from birth? When can we breed her again?” and you say..

Answer 15

full involution takes 3 months and this is so important! because of the placental type that dogs have, the endometrium needs more time to recover. Animals like horses have different placenta types and can therefore be re bred sooner

Question 16

what actually triggers birth in the pregnant female (in terms of endocrinology)?

Answer 16

once the pituitary and adrenal glands of the fetus are matured, the fetus releases cortisol. Fetal cortisol combined with maternal cortisol cause an increase in PGF2alpha, which causes luteolysis and rapid progesterone decrease. Whelping happens 24 hours later

Question 17

list some maternal factors of dystocia

Answer 17

• primary uterine inertia (no fetus delivered due to breed, large litter, hypocalcemia, or obesity)
• secondary uterine inertia (hypocalcemia, fetal obstruction, increased cortisol?)

-brachycephalic breeds

Question 18

list some fetal factors for dystocia

Answer 18

• position and posture
• increased fetal size
• abnormal fetal development
• death of fetuses

Question 19

how can you diagnose dystocia? (there are lots of these, try to list as many as you can)

Answer 19

• if gestation length is extended
• if it’s been more than 4 hours after water breaking and nothing has happened
• if there is strong straining in stage II for more than 30 minutes
• if it has been more than 2 hours between delivery of puppies
  -significant blood discharge
• acute abdominal pain or signs of shock

Question 20

If you’re suspicious of dystocia, what sorts of things do you want to check/feel for on vaginal exam?

Answer 20

• check for a ferguson’s reflex –>put your finger in the cervix
• feel for the presence of a fetus in the canal
• any anatomical abnormalities

Question 21

what things on ultrasound could indicate fetal distress?

Answer 21

HR consistently under 180 bpm, make sure to evaluate more than one fetus

Question 22

if you suspect dystocia and want to do radiographs, what are you looking for?

Answer 22

puppy count and if there is evidence of obstruction

Question 23

what are the two broad categories of treating dystocia and when you would consider each category

Answer 23

medical: if female is in good health, no fetal obstruction, ferguson reflex present, fetal HR over 180 consistently

surgical: female health is compromised, fetus is in the birth canal/obstruction present, no fergusons relfex, fetal distrass (<180bpm)

Question 24

why do we use calcium to treat dystocia and HOW do we use calcium to treat dystocia?

Answer 24

• it increases the strength of uterine contractions and it works even if serum Ca is normal
• combine with oxytocin, and give it IV or SQ and then re assess

Question 25

why do we give oxytocin as a dystocia treatment? how should it be used?

Answer 25

• causes uterine contractions
• given IM or IV and give multiple doses depending on response
• don’t give too high dose–>uterine tetany
• if you’ve given 3 doses and no puppy is born, don’t give any more

Question 26

what is pregnancy toxemia? how do we treat this?

Answer 26

• a relative lack of carbohydrates where ketosis develops in late gestation in females with inadequate nutrition OR with large litter–>dog will be anorectic in late gestation, dog will have ketones in urine
  -treatment is 5% dextrose

Question 27

why do females with subclinical diabetes mellitus show overt signs of the disease during pregnancy?

Answer 27

during diestrus (whether the dog is pregnant or not), progesterone increases as well as growth hormone. Growth hormone is an insulin antagonist, which can suddenly make the animal clinical for diabetes mellitus where it wasn’t before

Question 28

how can you tell if a dog has acute puerperal metritis (pooterus)

Answer 28

• happens within 1 week of whelping, more at risk if there’s a retained fetal membrane or a retained pup
• fever, malodorous vag discharge, degenerative neutrophil
• can give antibiotics and supportive therapy

Question 29

is mastitis a severe disease in dogs? what are the 3 bacteria that commonly cause it?

Answer 29

YES it can be acute and life threatening!

E coli, staph, strep

Question 30

how should you treat mastitis in dogs?

Answer 30

• allow puppies to nurse UNLESS abscesses or gangrene present
• give antibiotics–>amoxicillin with clavulinic acid or cephalosporins
• surgery maybe depending

Question 31

what is SIPS in dogs? clinical signs? who is most at risk?

Answer 31

sub involution of placental sites–>trophoblast cells do not regress as they normally should and invade the endometrium and sometimes myometrium

C/S: prolonged blood vag discharge for months–>can lead to anemia or exsanguination! spontaneous remission and no systemic illness

Question 32

what is the best way to do doggy abortion?

Answer 32

spay her! using medical treatment can be dangerous and a PAIN IN THE BADONKY

Question 33

list some drug categories you can use to terminate pregnancy in dog?

Answer 33

progesterone antagonists (Alizine)–>progesterone helps maintain pregnancy so we antagonize it

prostaglandin F2alpha (Dinoprist)–>causes luteolysis, has some side effects

dexamethasone

Question 34

what should you absolutely NOT use to induce abortion in dogs?

Answer 34

estrogen!!!!!! this was used a long time ago, but should NOT be used anymore, it is malpractice and you will get sued, severe side effects

Question 35

what is the causative agent of canine brucellosis and how is this disease transmitted? (explain it to yo grandma)

Answer 35

brucella canis, gram neg rod

transmission: venereal (during mating), vaginally from infected bitches, via conjunctiva, or thru ingesting aborted fetal membranes

Question 36

clinical signs of canine brucellosis include:

Answer 36

• late abortion in females
• epididymitis in males
• generalized lymphadenitis
• discospondylitis and uveitis

***infected animals can often be asymptomatic and spread the disease unknowingly

Question 37

if a dog has canine brucellosis, can you treat it with antibiotics?

Answer 37

you can, but the bacteria/disease will persist in kennels even after antibiotic treatment and these animals are often euthanized. Can use tetracycline and streptomycin for 2 weeks BUT relapse possible.

treatment is often not successful in eliminating the infection, it’s mostly eradication of infected animals.

remember this is zoonotic

Question 38

if you’re concerned a dog has brucellosis, how could you diagnose it? Screening test?

Answer 38

• blood culture–>one culture alone does not overrule disease so when in doubt you need to repeat this! the organism grows slowly and other bacteria overgrowing can be a problem!

-rapid slide agglutination test–>sensitive but not specific (can get false positives), use for screening ONLY not as a definitive diagnosis. ***antibodies cross react strongly with antibodies to SEVERAL nonpathogenic bacteria!!

• Agar Gel Immunodiffusion–>tests for antigens so it’s more specific but less sensitive for early infections, NOT an on site test

Question 39

clinical signs and most common species of Campylobacter infection in dogs?

Answer 39

campylobacter jejuni

can cause abortion, GI disease (diarrhea, lethargy, fever), vaginal hemorrhagic disease

Question 40

a dog is brought to you that recently had aborted, and is now presenting with GI signs such as diarrhea, fever. She is also lethargic. You suspect what disease? how will you diagnose and treat? What counsel will you give to the owner?

Answer 40

campylobacter

culture fecal material or neonatal tissue if available

tx: antibiotics based on culture & sensitivity, usually erythromycin and neomycin

this is zonotic, both ways, so counsel on biosecurity prinicples to keep owner and other animals safe

Question 41

list 3 bacteria that can cause abortion of puppies`

Answer 41

Salmonella, E coli, streptococcus

Question 42

a dog is brought to you that has recently aborted, and now has uveitis and meningitis. Differential? should you be concerned?

Answer 42

I’m thinking Leptospirosis

this is zoonotic so I need to counsel the owner on best practices–>urine or veneral transmission so tell them to be careful of pee

Question 43

what are the two “plasmas” that can cause poor conception, fetal resorption, stillborn or weak pups, and is likely to be in overcrowded kennels?

Answer 43

mycoplasma and ureaplasma–>normal vaginal flora but can overgrow, like a yeast infection in humans

Question 44

describe how canine herpesvirus can lead to abortion? how can you diagnose herpesvirus?

Answer 44

infection of a naiive preg female, the virus spreads to fetus and kills it, it becomes mummified, aborts, then results in stillbirth. Immune females are not affected. freshly born puppies can also get the disease and usually die due to the virus going systemically

dx: virus isolation from swabs of vesicular lesions on genitals of females

Question 45

true or false: you should never use Altrenogest in a pregnant dog

Answer 45

true!!!

Question 46

what is hypoluteoidism in dogs? Can you treat this?

Answer 46

where the CL isn’t producing enough progesterone, essentially a luteal insufficinecy, which can cause the fetus to be lost or cause early delivery. Can give exogenous progesterone to fix this.