post partum / neonates Flashcards
(11 cards)
when are puppies due?
64-66 days from the pre-ovulating LH surge
when are kittens due?
64-68 days
what is pre-partum hypothermia?
where rectal temp will drop from around 39 to 37 due to a reduction in progesterone (means labour may occur in 24-48hrs)
what happens in the preparation stage of parturition?
- decline in plasma progesterone and temp
- vaginal and perineal tissue relax
- nesting behaviours
what happens in the first stage of parturition?
- onset of uterine contractions
- cervix begins to dilate
- milk should be present
- bitches may vomit and queens may vocalise
- allantoic fluid will be produced
what happens in the second stage of parturition?
- increase in uterine contractions
- first foetus enters the pelvic canal
- time between straining and first pup should be 10-30mins
- amnion sac may be broken by bitch
when should veterinary advice be sought during parturition?
if the bitch continues straining for more than an hour or the waters have broken with no puppy being produced
what happens in the third stage of parturition?
- passage of the placenta
- dark vulval discharge with a green pigment
what happens in puerperium?
- post parturition stage
- reproductive tract returning to normal
- uterus begins to involve
- mucoid discharge can be present for up to 6 weeks
what is primary uterine inertia?
overstretching or poor condition of the uterine musculature, poor stimulus from small litters or low plasma calcium causing dystocia
what is secondary uterine inertia?
- cessation of contractions
- often caused by uterine exhaustion following obstruction of bitch canal
