Canine pregnancy

Question 1

Normal gestation fo bitch

Answer 1

“62d”
really 56-58d from onset of metestrus
65 +/-1d from LH surge (progesterone assays)

Question 2

Small liters have a longer or shorter gestation?

Answer 2

longer

Question 3

When can dogs become anemic in gestation?

Answer 3

mid gestation

Question 4

What hormonal/metabolic effects are common in preg dogs?

Answer 4

insulin insensitivity

Question 5

When does the embryo enter uterus after LH surge?

Answer 5

9-11d

Question 6

When does implantattion occur?

Answer 6

day 18 after LH

Question 7

What is the placentation?

Answer 7

endotheliochorial, zonary placentation

Question 8

What type of vaginal discharge can occur. what is normal, what is abnormal?

Answer 8

1. mucoid to clear: 32 d to term (normal)
2. hemorrhagic (abortion? pyometra? normal?)
3. purulent: always abnormal

Question 9

What is the gestational length from breeding?

Answer 9

59-68d

Question 10

Are dogs CL dependent throughout?

Answer 10

yes

Question 11

What are luteotrophic hormones in the dog?

Answer 11

LH, prolactin

Question 12

Why can termination of pregnancy be difficult in the dog?

Answer 12

multiple CL

Question 13

What happens at 4-5 weeks of gestation that can cause behavioral change?

Answer 13

uterus elongates and may fold on its long axis causing pain, anorexia and even vomiting

Question 14

What occurs at 6th week?

Answer 14

mammary glands start to enlarge and abdomen becomes distended

Question 15

What occurs in 1 week before partuirition?

Answer 15

may be mild short lived contractions

Question 16

What occurs in the last few days before parturition?

Answer 16

vulva enlarges
slight mucus discharge
pelvic ligament relax
watery secretion from mammary glands

Question 17

What occurs 24hr before parturition?

Answer 17

bitch seeks out place to whelp

anorexia and occasionally vomiting is observed

Question 18

What occurs 12-24 hr before parturitiion?

Answer 18

body temp starts to fall, usually by about a degree, which denotes first stage of parturition

Question 19

How do you care for the preg bitch

Answer 19

1. disease prevention (isolate from other dogs, vaccination–no modified live vaccines)
2. nutrition

Question 20

When should you increase nutrition for preg bitch?

Answer 20

25% more and quality increase gradulaly over final 3-4weeks. feed growth/lactation diet during late gestation, feed 3x/day
moderate excercise

Question 21

Why not give supplementary calcium

Answer 21

if on a proper diet should not have suppplementary calcium becuase can predispose to eclampsia pre or post partum

Question 22

HOw do you diagnose pregnancy?

Answer 22

1. palpation
2. radiographs
3. U/S very useful, not best way to count puppies
4. relaxin–assays

Question 23

When is abdominal palpation useful?

Answer 23

from 28-32 days
concepti are 1-1.5inches in diameter
not if animals timid or obese

Question 24

Why is abdominal palpation difficult after 28-32 d?

Answer 24

diffiuclt because of elongation

Question 25

When is radiography useful?

Answer 25

42-45d

Question 26

What is the most accurate way to count fetuses?

Answer 26

radiography (count skulls)

Question 27

When can you see fetuses on U/S

Answer 27

as early as 16-20d of getsation (20d after LH surger)

Question 28

When can you visualize the heart beat

Answer 28

25d

Question 29

Is U/S accurate for counting puppies?

Answer 29

no

Question 30

When is the best time for U/S for puppies

Answer 30

28-32 d (can be difficult after 32d)

Question 31

What can U/S be used for besides preg diagnosis

Answer 31

evaluate intestinal motility of puppy, evaluate kidney morphology, evaluate crown rump length can use to determine timing of elective ultrasound to have viable puppies, see if puppies are stressed or dead (radiography also useful)

Question 32

When is relaxin usually detectable

Answer 32

21-25d (20d after LH surge relaxin rapidly increaes)

Question 33

What is relaxin produced by?

Answer 33

placenta

Question 34

When do you recommend relaxin measurement?

Answer 34

3-4 weeks after last breeding

Question 35

What are comercial kits for relaxin

Answer 35

reprocheck witness on urine

Question 36

how long does relaxin remain elevated?

Answer 36

until parturition

Question 37

How do you prepare for whelping

Answer 37

make it private introduce 1 week before limit outside contact for pups