Pregnancy and parturition in small animals

Question 1

Earliest to diagnose pregnancy via abdominal palpation for bitch and queen

Answer 1

28-35 days- Bitch
21-35 days- Queen

Question 2

Earliest to diagnose pregnancy via Ultrasound for bitch and queen

Answer 2

Foetal heartbeat detectable from 24-28 days- Bitch
30 days-Queen

Question 3

Earliest to diagnose pregnancy via Radiography for bitch and queen

Answer 3

Usually from day 40-42
Most accurate method of determining number and position of foetuses

Question 4

Earliest to diagnose pregnancy via Rexlaxin Assay for bitch and queen

Answer 4

3-4 weeks post mating

Question 5

Physiological changes during pregnancy

Answer 5

Blood volume increases by 40%
Increase is mainly plasma so haematocrit is 30-35%
Increased cardiac output
Oxygen consumption increases by 20%
Reduced functional residual capacity in the lungs

Question 6

Outline Nutrition during pregnancy-Canine

Answer 6

70% foetal growth will occur after first 5 weeks pregnancy
From day 40 (6 weeks) change to puppy food (more calorific).
Feed several small meals a day (reduced space)
Increase feed by 10% per week from week 6 until parturition

Question 7

Outline Nutrition during pregnancy-Feline

Answer 7

Swap to kitten food from mating
Cats deposit fat from early pregnancy (to be used during lactation)
By parturition will be eating 50% more
Feed several small meals or ad lib (cats tend to self regulate)

Question 8

Outline Worming during pregnancy- Canine

Answer 8

They should be wormed before mating and from day 40 until 2 days after whelping daily with fenbendazole.
Puppies should be wormed from 2 weeks of age

Question 9

Outline Worming during pregnancy- Feline

Answer 9

Cats should be wormed before mating
Cats can be wormed with a single adult dose of fenbendazole during pregnancy
Kittens should be wormed from 2 weeks of age

Question 10

Behavioural changes close to parturition

Answer 10

Restlessness
Nesting
Anorexia
Shivering
Lactation

Question 11

How does body temperature change during parturition

Answer 11

Caused by decline in progesterone
Sharp decrease in temp 8-24hrs before parturition
Temp drop to 35C in small breeds/37C in giant breeds
Owners can measure this at home

Question 12

How does Progesterone measurement change during parturition

Answer 12

Decreases from 12-15nmol/l to below 6nmol/l

Question 13

What is Ferguson reflex

Answer 13

Foetuses entering the birth canal cause Oxytocin release and abdominal muscle contractions leading to their rapid expulsion

Question 14

How many minutes between puppies

Answer 14

30-60

Question 15

Can cats suspend labour?

Answer 15

Can suspend labour for up to 48hrs if disturbed with no apparent complications

Question 16

When to be concerned?

Answer 16

Stage 2 labour with mild/intermittent straining for 2-3hrs and no pup
Stage 2 labour with strong/frequent straining for >30mins
More than 4hrs since last pup with more to deliver
Foetal fluid passed > 2-3hrs but nothing since
Greenish discharge seen but no puppy withing 2-4hrs
No or slow foetal heart beat (<150bpm) on U/S
Green/black or bloody vulval discharge with no pup

Question 17

Maternal factors for dystocia

Answer 17

Uterine inertia (primary and secondary)
Pelvic canal too narrow (previous trauma/breed conformation)
Uterine torsion
Metabolic abnormalities (hypoglycaemia/hypocalcemia)

Question 18

Difference between primary and secondary uterine inertia

Answer 18

Primary – failure to start stage 2 labour
Secondary – occurs after initial normal stage 2 labour

Question 19

What is uterine inertia

Answer 19

Failure to expel a foetus from the uterus when no obstruction exists

Question 20

Foetal factors for dystocia

Answer 20

Malpresentation
Malformation
Foetal oversize
Foetal death

Question 21

Hormone involved in contractions/parturition

Answer 21

Foetal stress release cortisol

Question 22

What values do I want for a blood test during dystocia

Answer 22

Calcium
Glucose
PCV/TS

Question 23

Two main categories of dystocia

Answer 23

Obstructive and Non obstructive

Question 24

What to do when it is an obstructive dystocia

Answer 24

Caesarean section

Question 25

What to do when it is an nonobstructive dystocia

Answer 25

Calcium gluconate (increases strength of contractions) give with/after oxytocin Oxytocin (increases frequency of contractions) Contraindicated with obstruction – can cause uterine rupture Caesarean

Question 26

When is Elective Caesarean section indicated

Answer 26

Breed – brachys etc unable to whelp naturally Size of pup (pups) Previous pelvic trauma/anatomical issue in the dam Owner preference

Question 27

How to position dam when performing Caesarean

Answer 27

Position dam slightly tilted to left side (10-15 degrees) or cranial end raised to reduce pressure on vena cava

Question 28

Landmarks to incise for caesarean

Answer 28

Ventral midline coeliotmy Midway from xiphoid and umbilicus to pubis.

Question 29

Do I remove most cranial or caudal foetus

Answer 29

Remove most caudal foetus first then remove from alternating horns by ‘milking’ the puppies to the hysterotomy

Question 30

What type of pattern to close the uterine body after a caesarean section

Answer 30

Cushing or lambert

Question 31

How soon must antibody transfer primarily via colustrum

Answer 31

First 24 hrs/ 16hrs in kittens

Question 32

Do I need to report a Csection

Answer 32

Caesarean sections should be reported to the kennel club for registered dogs Reporting is not mandatory but encouraged

Question 33

What is eclampsia

Answer 33

Life threatening condition caused by hypocalcemia

Question 34

Clinical signs of eclampsia

Answer 34

Behavioural changes Salivation Facial puritis Stiffness Ataxia Hyperthermia Tachycardia Tonic clonic muscle contractions Seizures

Question 35

Treatment for eclampsia

Answer 35

IV CaGluconate 10% slowly to effect (Monitor Hr/ECG) Diazepam to control persistent seizures SC then oral calcium supplementation once seizures controlled Improve nutrition Reduce lactational demands (supplement pups)

Question 36

Outline administration of oxytocin when given as a treatment for nonobstructive oxytocin

Answer 36

Give up to 3 doses (use low doses)

Question 37

Treatment for mastitis

Answer 37

Drain gland(s) Hot/cold pack Pain relief Systemic Antibiotics IVFT if required