Small Animal Breeding Cycles Flashcards

Question

Feline – Oestrus Cycle | Inerestrus

Answer 1

* In the absence of mating the cat becomes non receptive lasting 3 – 14 days * The cat then returns to pro-oestrus and oestrus

Answer 2

• Occurs 24 – 48 hours post ovulation

Answer 3

• Period of sexual inactivity during non-breeding season

Answer 4

Induced ovulators Queens call or vocalize (low moaning sound) Owners may think a sign of illness ``` • Male mounts female • With erection penis faces forward • Only lasts 30 seconds to 5 minutes • As male dismounts female gives a loud copulatory call and Tom retreats • Mating occurs 6 - 7 times until queen declines • May occur for up to 4 days ``` • Queen will mate with numerous males • Resulting in litters with multiple sires

Answer 5

• Pregnancy • 63-65 days • Can breed from 6 months • Susceptible to disturbance during parturition and suspend second stage parturition for 48 hours • Owners may confuse this with dystocia (uncommon in cats)

Answer 6

* Owners of cats should be advised to neuter * Females * Reduces unwanted litters – overbreeding/overpopulation can be a problem on farms * Reduces reproductive disorders * Stops roaming * Males * Reduces spraying * Stops roaming

Answer 7

• Inbreeding common in pedigree cats • GCCF – The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy • Numerous conditions associated with pedigree breeds • Persian cats have the most numerous health conditions, including those associated with Brachycephalic breeding • As with dogs, there are numerous genetic tests available

Answer 8

* Females are sexually mature at 4-6 weeks * Males are sexually mature 9-10 weeks * Must wean at 3 weeks * Polyoestrus * Oestrus cycle is 15-17 days * Duration of oestrus 1-16 hours * Litter size 1-6 (average 3-4)

Answer 9

* Lordosis when stroking the back of the female * Mounting other females * Females should be with males for 7-16 days * No requirement to observe mating * Males will purr and ‘bum rumble’ * Some females can be picky! * Some males can be aggressive!

Answer 10

``` are based on harem systems • One male • Up to 15 females • Can lose house • Many breeders choose to breed in hutches • Commercial breeders in large open pens ``` • If placing a male in with 15 females then all 15 will give birth at the same time • Unless commercial this is not appropriate • Housing males in one pen and rotating females may be a better idea * It is important to record date the female was added to male pen. And record earliest due date as dystocia is common. * In harem system remove sow from males’ pen and place in nursery pen after 3 weeks * In ‘rotation’ system the male should be removed after 3 weeks.

Answer 11

• Dystocia • Often fatal Females must not be bred from after 1 year Pubic symphysis fuses, causing dystocia. C-section required. Must give birth before 1 year

Answer 12

The male will not attack young piglets But risk of: • Superfoetation Postpartum oestrus 24-48 hours after parturition This can place large strain on her body!

Answer 13

• Palpation 4-5 weeks or ultrasonography • Females will significantly increase in size, doubling their bodyweight by parturition • Gestation 59-72 days – 10 weeks on average • Last weeks of gestation gradual relaxation of pubic ligaments and separation of pubic symphysis • Just before parturition the gap is 2-3cm – one fingers width • Parturition takes approx. 30 mins • Precocial • No nests, but will select warm or cool place dependent on season • Will give birth any time during day or night • If very overdue dystocia may be an issue

Answer 14

arger litter sizes are not beneficial to the breeder • Foster? Mothers will allow any young to feed from them • Care must be taken to ensure larger piglets are not stealing the milk from smaller piglets

Answer 15

``` Ensure food and water is low enough for piglets to reach • Piglets will eat solid food after 24-48 hours • Avoid feeding too much veg • Never lettuce • Signs of dehydration • Look ‘fluffy’ • Wobbly • Off food ``` * Record date of birth * Wean and separate males and females at 21 days * Make as stress free as possible * Advised UK sale age is 8 weeks * It is law to sell guinea pigs in pairs

Answer 16

* Mites – Trixacarus caviae * Sarcoptid mite * Guinea pigs always carry mites – part of natural flora and fauna * Pregnancy can trigger overload on mother. Pruritus, which may lead to self trauma * Depends on temperament , very nervous females more affected * Does affect young and if left untreated is fatal * Extreme pruritus, leading to seizures, which are often fatal ``` Common Problems • Ringworm • Fungal infection. Zoonotic • Spores • Normal immune function = no disease • Compromised immune function = disease • Very commonly seen at weaning or rehoming ``` ``` Common Problems • Handling when heavily pregnant • Can trigger abortion • Can damage mother or young • Pregnancy toxaemia. Common with obese females. • Mastitis • Early signs of hypovitaminosis C (scurvy) • Supplement - 200mg/kg vitamin • MBD ```

Answer 17

* Gestation 28-32 days. Most commonly 29th night • Season Jan-Oct * Light dependent. Can use lighting to manipulate! * Reflex ovulation or induce ovulators * Receptive for 12-14 days, followed by 2-4 days of non-receptivity * Ovulation induced by stimuli associated with coitus 10-12 hours after mating

Answer 18

``` very active. Scent marks, rubs chin, lordosis, mounting, destructive, aggressive, vulva becomes congested and reddish-purple. • Pseudopregnancy common • Nestbuilding • Aggressive • Does get very territorial ```

Answer 19

* Doe must to go bucks’ enclosure. Aggression * Witness 2-3 mating's and return doe to her own enclosure * Superfoetation * Pseudopregnancy • Do not allow them to run around too much as the buck will get tired! • Do not allow females to mount males as this can put off timid males • A bad experience can affect the buck long term • After mating return doe to her own enclosure • 7 days before due date introduce a nest box. You will likely see her nesting at this point • Check box regularly – she may use as a latrine! • Sign she is not pregnant • Palpate from 14 days on. Feels like ‘flat grapes’

Answer 20

* Will obsessively nest build * Likened to OCD * Maiden does build very early, often in inappropriate places * Move nest and encourage * Generally does build 7-10 days before kindling • Must monitor amount of material collected * Some will plug nest if allowed * Usually after birth

Answer 21

at night or first thing in the morning • Can normally tell by presence of fur in the enclosure • And odd behaviour • Very important to watch for signs and check the nest twice per day • Altricial young • 4-12. Count them after 2 days

Answer 22

* Nest checked twice per day after parturition * The doe does not have the ability to move kits * If one has wriggled out of the nest or was dragged out of nest they must be placed back immediately * Cooling = death * Pick up with gloved hand, tissue or some of the fur from the nest * Kits emerge at around 3 weeks of age * Kits should be handled for very short periods to time from 3 weeks onwards • Very carefully * If they bolt or squeal this can trigger GI disease * Some does can be very protective and aggressive • Dependent on breed!

Answer 23

* Buck taken to does enclosure * Doe or buck too young * Timid buck, confident doe * Cooling of kits * Elongated foetus * Pseudopregnancy * Incorrect genders * GI disease in kits * Diet, Noise, Stress, Weaning * Inbreeding * Poor mothering ability: Can be related to breed or learnt • Abandonment * Cannibalism