SA - Canine Parturition, Pregnancy, and Dystocia Flashcards
What are the nutrition recommendations of the first 1/2 of canine pregnancy?
Well balanced dog food, raw diets are NOT recommended, and no supplements are required
What are the nutrition recommendations of the second 1/2 of canine pregnancy?
Recommended high protein diet, double the amount fed by the time of whelping, and triple 2 weeks post-whelping, no supplements required, keep plenty of fresh water in a clean bowl
If you are going to vaccinate a dog that you want to breed, when should you vaccinate it?
At least 2 weeks prior to onset of proestrus
What intestinal parasites do you need to control for in pregnant canines?
hookworms and roundworms
What dewormer is safe for pregnant canines?
Panacur
What heartworm preventatives are safe for pregnant canines?
Heartgard, Ivomec, and Interceptor
What preventative is good for flea/tick/heartworm?
Revolution and Advantage Multi
What preventative is good for just flea/tick prevention?
Frontline
What should you have in your whelping kit?
Sterile lubricant, towels, warmth source, mucus trap/suction bulb, 1’ x 25 g needles, thin string/umbilical tape, small hemostats, scale, nursing bottles, and milk replacer
What hormone is required for maintenance of pregnancy in the dog?
progesterone
When does progesterone peak in canine pregnancy?
15-30 days after the LH surge
When is the rapid decline of progesterone in canine pregnancy?
24 hours prior to whelping
What is the only known specific pregnancy-associated protein in dogs?
Relaxin
What produces relaxin?
The placenta
When do relaxin levels begin to elevate and how long do they stay elevated?
Elevated from day 24 post LH surge until day 30 into lactation (post whelping)
When do the embryos enter the uterus?
Day 10
What happens prior to implantation of the embryos into the uterus in dogs?
They float freely within the uterine lumen and are nourished by uterine milk. Migration occurs between the uterine horns and blastocysts space themselves evenly between the horns
When does embryo migration end?
Day 16
When does embryonic implantation occur by?
Day 22
What type of placenta do dogs have?
Endotheliochorial, zonary (circumferential), and modified deciduate
What structures are formed at the edges of the zonary bands, what are they formed from, and what do they contain?
Marginal hematomas are formed from maternal blood and contain uteroverdin
During what period are fetuses highly sensitive to drugs and potential teratogens?
Embryogenesis
What are some possible teratogens?
Not a complete list: Aspirin, Chloramphenicol, Griseofulvin, Carbaryl, Dichlorvos, Corticosteroids, Anabolic steroids, Vitamin A and D, and Exogenous hormones
When can transabdominal palpation diagnose a pregnancy? What will you feel?
Day 25-40 from the LH surge is the best window for this and you will feel a string of large pearls
What blood test can you do to diagnose pregnancy?
relaxin test
When can a heartbeat be detected on transabdominal ultrasound? What else can be seen at this time?
Day 25-30 post LH surge
You can also see embryonic vesicles
When is the vesicle first detectable on ultrasound?
Days 19-23 post LH surge
If you don’t know when your patient ovulated, when is the recommended time to do transabdominal ultrasound?
4+ weeks following breeding and then recheck 7-10 days if negative ultrasound to confirm
What is occurring to the embryo at day 42 post LH surge that you can see on ultrasound?
The embryo is undergoing organogenesis
When is the most accurate time to estimate gestational age via ultrasound?
Days 30-40 - measurements should be performed on at least 2 fetuses
What measurements can be taken to estimate gestational age?
Crown rump length, head diameter, and body diameter
Note…. flip
The specific calculations for estimated gestational age are not in this flashcard set
What is the yellow line?
Biparietal head diameter (HD)
What is the green line?
Crown rump length (CRL)
What is the blue line?
body diameter (BD)
At day 48 of canine pregnancy, what can you detect on a radiograph?
the skull and spine
At days 60-61 of canine pregnancy, what can you detect on a radiograph?
teeth and digits
When should you check for mastitis?
You should check daily 1-2 days prior to whelping and continuing through the first 3 weeks of lactation
What clinical signs are associated with mastitis?
Firm, painful and/or reddened glands, and abnormal color or blood in the milk
What is the mean parturition date?
day 65 from LH surge
When is a female considered overdue for whelping?
72 or more days from her last breeding
65 or more days from day of ovulation
60 or more days from onset of diestrus
Why is timing of pregnancy so critical?
A great deal of organ development occurs in the last few days of gestation.
Puppies removed >24 days before natural whelping generally results in stillborn or ill-thriving puppies
Puppies > 48 hours overdue are usually non-viable
A delay of ___ hours after onset of Stage II labor will result in loss of all puppies.
24
What happens to the pregnant dogs temperature 24-48 hours prior to whelping?
It drops to 98 degrees - it is not always reliable
If you see teeth and digits on radiographs, how soon will whelping occur?
< 3-8 days
If you see peristalsis and kidney development on abdominal ultrasound, how soon will whelping occur?
< 3 days
What is a good monitoring service that monitors for uterine contractions and has an uterine Doppler for use in your home?
WhelpWise
What occurs during Stage I of parturition?
Vaginal relaxation and cervical dilation. It is the beginning of uterine contractions +/- abdominal straining
How long is stage I of parturition?
6-24 hours
What behavioral changes occur during stage I of parturition?
Agitated, restlessness, nesting, may refuse food and vomit
How long is stage 2 of parturition in the dog?
6-12 hours, rarely 24 hours
What occurs during stage 2 of parturition?
Puppies are delivered and abdominal contractions are visible
When is the average delivery time for each puppy?
A delivery every 30-60 minutes
Is posterior presentation abnormal in parturition?
No - 40% of fetuses are delivered this way
True or False: If disturbed, dogs can voluntarily inhibit the 2nd stage of parturition.
True
What is the normal behavior of the dam after each fetus is delivered?
To lick the neonate vigorously to clear the airways and stimulate respiration
What occurs during stage 3 of parturition?
Delivery of the fetal membranes
When are placentas typically discharged after each fetus is delivered?
Typically within 5-15 minutes after each pup
When should the placenta be delivered from the time of the last fetus?
It should be passed within 4-6 hours from the delivery of the last fetus
What immediate puppy care should be done once they are born?
Remove the membranes covering the face, rub with a dry towel to stimulate breathing, and tie or suture the umbilical cord 1 inch from the body
What is considered abnormal during parturition?
Black or green discharge prior to delivery of the first puppy
20-30 minutes of strong contractions with no puppy being delivered
2-3 hours of weak, infrequent expulsive efforts failing to produce a puppy
2-3 hours between puppies
Obvious problem such as a puppy displaced within the birth canal
What is the overall incidence of dystocia?
5%
What are the maternal causes for dystocia?
Pelvic anomalies, uterine anomalies/inertia, vulvar anomalies, and vaginal anomalies
What are the fetal causes for dystocia?
Single fetuses, uterine distension, fetal oversize, fetal monsters, fetal death, anasarca and abnormal presentation, posture, and position
What is the most common maternal cause of dystocia?
Primary uterine inertia
What is primary uterine inertia?
Failure to expel a normal-sized fetus(es) through a normal birth canal except for an incompletely dilated cervix or lack of uterine contractions
What is complete primary uterine inertia?
Absence of signs of 2nd stage labor
What is partial primary uterine inertia?
2nd stage labor stops before fetal expulsion occurs
What are the maternal causes of primary uterine inertia?
Hypocalcemia and heritable tendency to primary inertia
What are the fetal causes of primary uterine inertia?
single fetus and uterine distension
What is secondary uterine inertia?
Prolonged uterine contractions fail to expel a fetus obstructing the birth canal or failure to expel the fetuses
How is primary and secondary uterine inertia diagnosed?
Based on history - make sure to rule out nervous voluntary inhibition of labor
What is anasarca?
Fetal edema; hydrops
What is the diagnostic approach to managing dystocia?
Thorough history, general examination, obstetrical examination, and imaging
Is surgery the only option for dystocia management?
No - first rule out premature labor (Ultrasound and Rads)
Aside from surgery, what can be done to manage dystocia?
Manually correct a mal-positioned fetus, and medical management
What are the indications for medical management in dystocia?
Dam is in good health, labor has not been excessive in length, cervix is dilated and fetal size/position permits vaginal birth
Can tranquilizers be used as medical management of dystocia?
Yes, they can be used to overcome voluntary inhibition of parturition but it depresses the fetuses
What medical management can be done for dystocia?
Correct the underlying medical problems and oxytocin and calcium gluconate administration
How quickly should a pup be delivered if the mom is given oxytocin and calcium gluconate?
within 30 minutes of treatment
What are the negative side effects associated with giving oxytocin and calcium gluconate administration?
Increased fetal stress and a higher stillborn rate
When should an owner seek veterinary assistance post-whelping?
If the rectal temperature is greater than 102 F
If there is odorous or excessive vulvar discharge
If there is any trembling, twitching, rigidity, or excessive facial twitching
If there are any signs of depression or disinterest in puppies
