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Prediction of parturition in dogs and cats : accuracy at different gestational ages
No full textINTRODUCTION. Canine and feline pregnancy lasts about 9 weeks from the ovulation day and a definitive diagnosis of pregnancy can be achieved only after 3 weeks in bitches and 2 weeks in queens (1, 2). It is well known that in bitches LH peak, or initial rise of progesterone, and ovulation occur respectively 65 and 63 (± 1) days before parturition (1), but these data are not available when estrous cycle has not been monitored. The LH concentration in queens increases with number of copulations and no concurrent rise of serum progesterone occurs (2), making these prediction methods inapplicable. The ultrasonographic identification and measurement of extrafoetal and foetal structures are the only ways to predict the delivery day in the remaining 6-7 weeks of pregnancy.
Among parameters significantly related to gestational age in bitches and in queens, the inner diameter of chorionic cavity (ICC) is the most commonly used to predict the parturition day in early pregnancy (3, 4). Specific equations for queens, small and medium size bitches are needed (3, 4), whereas a correction factor for giant size bitches has been suggested (5). Ultrasonographic measurements of other extrafoetal structures, i.e. outer uterine diameter at the implantation sites (OUD), placental thickness (PT) or length (PL), are also significantly related to gestational age, but the high risk of inconsistent measurements due to the difficult visualization of the structural edges, makes these measurements less accurate than ICC (3). Biparietal diameter (BP) is widely applied for the prediction of parturition day in the second half of pregnancy and the technical approach is relatively simpler than other parameters as crown-rump length (CRL), foetal heart diameter (HDT), body diameter (BD), and deep portion of diencephalo-telencephalic vesicle (DPTV) (3, 6). The prediction is considered highly accurate when the difference between actual and predicted parturition dates is within ±1 day.
OBJECTIVES AND METHODS. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the accuracy of parturition date prediction is affected by the gestational age when the ultrasonographic examination is performed. The accuracy of the prediction (±1 day), using ICC and BP measurements (3), was analyzed retrospectively on the gestational period basis (from the 4th to the 9th week of pregnancy) in 495 ultrasonographic examinations of pregnant bitches (small and medium size) and 60 of pregnant queens. Significant differences (P<0.05) of mean values were determined by Chi-square test.
RESULTS. At the 4th week of pregnancy mean accuracy (±1 day ) of the prediction of parturition date obtained with ICC in bitches and queens was 81% and a decrease, although not significant, to 67.7% was observed at the 5th week. Accuracy based on BP measurement was similar at the 5th and 6th week of pregnancy (78.6% vs. 78.9%, P>0.05), whereas a decrease was observed at the 7th (64.6%) and the 8th (63.2%) week. Close to term (9th week) the accuracy of the prediction based on BP parameter was lower (50.9%; P<0.05) than that obtained at the 5th week.
CONCLUSIONS. Present data indicate that a gradual decrease of the accuracy (±1 day ) of the prediction occurs along the pregnancy. In the last week of pregnancy this decrease could be due to the growth of the foetuses and to the increased difficulty in obtaining the correct scan for an accurate BP measurement. Interestingly at the 5th week of pregnancy, when both ICC and BP are measurable, the prediction of parturition day based on BP might be preferable.
REFERENCES
(1) Concannon PW, Whaley S, Lein D, Wissler R. Canine gestation length: variation related to time of mating and fertile life of sperm. Am J Vet Res 1983; 44: 1819–1821.
(2) Johnston SD, Root Kustritz MV, Olson PNS. Feline pregnancy. In: Canine and feline theriogenology. Johnston SD, Root Kustritz MV, Olson PNS, eds. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Company, 2001:414-430.
(3) Luvoni GC, Beccaglia M. The prediction of parturition date in canine pregnancy. Reprod Domest Anim 2006; 41: 27-32.
(4) Zambelli D, Castagnetti C, Belluzzi S, Bassi S. Correlation between the age of the conceptus and various ultrasonographic measurements during the first 30 days of pregnancy in domestic cats (Felis catus). Theriogenology 2002; 57: 1981-1987.
(5) Kutzler MA, Yeager AE, Mohammed HO, Meyers-Wallen VN. Accuracy of canine parturition date prediction using fetal measurements obtained by ultrasonography. Theriogenology 200315; 60: 1309-1317
(6) Beccaglia M, Anastasi P, Grimaldi E, Rota A, Faustini M, Luvoni GC. Accuracy of the prediction of parturition date through ultrasonographic measurement of fetal parameters in the queen. Vet Res Commun 2008; 32 Suppl 1: S99-101
La numerosità della cucciolata e la distribuzione dei sessi non influenzano la previsione della data del parto ottenuta con misurazioni ultrasonografiche fetali nella specie canina
No full textGestational age and parturition date prediction can be determined by ultrasonographic fetal measurements. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of litter size and sex ratio on the accuracy of the prediction derived by the measurements of gestational inner sac (VE), biparietal diameter (BP) and deep portion of the telencephalic vesicle (DPTV). Ultrasound examinations (n. 327) were performed on 91 bitches in two different size categories (≤ 9 kg and 9-40 kg); the prediction of parturition date was derived by equations previously studied in bitches of small and medium size. The results showed that the accuracy (±1 and ±2 days) of the parturition date prediction was not affected by litter size or sex ratio. Thus, ultrasonography is an accurate method for prediction of parturition date and the only variable that has to be taken into account is the size of the bitch
Studio ecografico in corso di gravidanza dello sviluppo di una porzione encefalica del feto di cane
No full textThe aims of this study were to evaluate in the canine foetus the growth of the deep portion of the telencephalic vesicle (DPTV) and to estimate the day of parturition by means of its ultrasonographic measurements in small and medium size bitches. The results showed that the growth of DPTV can be investigated during pregnancy with ultrasonography, but accuracy in the prediction of the day of parturition by means of its measurements is not as precise as those of gestational inner sac and biparietal diameters. However, it may contribute to the estimation of gestational age if combined with the biparietal diamete
Ultrasonographic study during pregnancy of the growth of an encephalic portion in the canine foetus
No full textComparison of the accuracy of two ultrasonographic measurements in predicting the parturition date in the bitch
No full textOBJECTIVES: To compare the accuracy of two ultrasonographic measurements, inner chorionic cavity diameter and biparietal diameter, for the prediction of parturition date in small and medium size bitches. The effects of litter size and fetal sex ratio on the accuracy of the prediction were also investigated. METHODS: Ultrasonographic examinations were performed on pregnant bitches and, depending on the stage of pregnancy, the inner chorionic cavity diameter and biparietal diameter were measured. The mean value of the data of each structure was calculated and the predicted day of parturition was obtained by the application of equations derived from growth curves we previously developed for different size bitches. RESULTS: The parturition term was predicted with similar accuracy during early gestation, by the measurement of inner chorionic cavity diameter, as well as during late gestation, by the measurement of biparietal diameter. Litter size affected only biparietal diameter accuracy, whereas fetal sex ratio did not influence the estimation of the day of parturition. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Inner chorionic cavity diameter and biparietal diameter were equally reliable parameters in obtaining a reasonably accurate prediction of parturition date at any gestational period at which a bitch is examined
The prediction of parturition date in canine pregnancy
No full textIn bitches, the length of gestation is highly variable when
measured from the day of mating, thus prediction of parturition
may be greatly inaccurate when determined from this
point. The ability to precisely predict the duration of
pregnancy is of practical importance for managing parturition
or planning caesarean section and this review analyses the
methods that can be used to accurately forecast the day of
parturition. At the time of breeding, determination of the
luteinizing hormone surge and the initial rise in progesterone
provide reliable information on gestational length of the bitch,
but when pregnancy is ascertained, ultrasonography is the
most useful tool to predict the delivery day. In fact, by
ultrasonographic measurements of the extra-foetal and foetal
structures an accurate prediction can be made both in early
and late pregnancy
Embryo production in dogs : from in vitro fertilization to cloning
No full textIncreased availability of canine embryos would be desirable to develop research and to apply assisted reproductive technologies in the treatment of infertility and in the improvement of reproductive performances in valuable Canids, both domestic and non-domestic. Embryo production through in vitro fertilization and nuclear transfer has been technically achieved in the dog, and the transfer of cloned embryos has recently resulted in the birth of puppies. However, the efficiency of these technologies is still very limited. This is mainly because of the peculiar characteristics of the canine oocyte and the lack of its full acquisition of developmental competence in vitro. This paper discusses the latest results and aspects on which further research should be focused to provide advances in the field
Prediction of parturition date through the evaluation of ultrasonographic fetal parameters in the bitch : dottorato di ricerca in scienze cliniche veterinarie : tesi di dottorato di ricerca
No full textThe aims of this thesis were the determination of the gestational age through ultrasonographic measurement of fetal parameters and the evaluation of their accuracy for the prediction of parturition date in different size dogs. The effects of litter size and fetal sex ratio on the accuracy were also investigated. Encephalic fetal brain structures were identified during pregnancy by ultrasonography and among these, the deep portion of telencephalic vesicle (DPTV) resulted easily measurable, because of its defined margins. Specific growth curves of DPTV were derived in small (≤10 kg), medium (11-25 kg) and large size dogs (26-40 kg). In bitches with unknown breeding dates, the accuracy of the prediction, obtained by the application of the formulae derived from the growth curves, resulted similar in different size categories. Moreover, no differences were observed in the accuracy obtained by the measurement of parameters that are usually adopted for predicting the parturition date during the first or the second half of pregnancy, respectively (inner chorionic cavity diameters, ICC; biparietal diameter, BP). These findings suggest that both parameters are equally reliable for prediction, regardless at what stage of pregnancy the bitch is examined. Although DPTV did not result as accurate as ICC and BP, it was easily detectable in the same ultrasonographic scan used for BP measurement. Thus, BP and DPTV can be measured at the same moment, without a further extension of the time of examination and DPTV may contribute to the improvement of the prediction of parturition day in those bitches that are examined during the second half of pregnancy. Concerning the effect of the litter size, the present thesis demonstrated that, using DPTV measurement, a higher accuracy was obtained in normal and large litter size compared to small litters. Moreover, although ICC accuracy was not affected by litter size, BP was significantly more accurate in normal litter size than in small and large litters. Fetal sex ratio did not affect the accuracy of the three parameters. In conclusion, this thesis demonstrated that prediction of parturition day obtained by ultrasonographic measurement of ICC, BP and DPTV is reliable when specific formulae for different size dogs are applied
Three dexmedetomidine constant rate infusion (CRI) in feline ovariectomized patients: sedative and analgesic effects
No full textThree dexmedetomidine constant rate infusion (CRI) regimens in feline ovariectomized patients: sedative and analgesic effects.
A.M. Carotenuto, G. Ravasio, L. Borghi, S Boveri, M. Beccaglia, D. Fonda
Università degli Studi di Milano, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria di Milano, via Celoria 10, 20133 (MI) Italy
In cats, few studies have investigated the clinical effect of dexmedetomidine (DMED) CRI during perioperative period. Our aim was to evaluate the analgesic and sedative effects of three rates of DMED CRI in feline patients undergoing ovariectomy, postoperatively monitored for 24 hours. Eighteen female cats were enrolled. After premedication (5 μg kg-1 DMED IM; 0.2 mg kg-1 meloxicam SC), patients were induced with propofol and randomly allocated into three groups (D1-D2-D3) to receive 0.5 (n=6), 1.5 (n=6) and 2.5 (n=6) μg kg-1 h-1 DMED CRI respectively. Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen and respiration was mechanically controlled using intermittent positive pressure ventilation to maintain normocapnia. Intraoperative hemodynamic parameters and end tidal isoflurane concentration were recorded every 5 minutes. Rescue anaesthesia was provided by means of 0.5 mg kg-1 of propofol in response to acute increases in HR or MAP (20% or more). Postoperatively, sedation, analgesia, muscular relaxation and quality of recovery were evaluated using three postoperative scales (Ansah et al. 2002; Shaffran et al. 2008; Belda et al. 2008). Buprenorphine (10 μg kg-1) was provided as rescue postoperative analgesic drug. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test (P<0.05). Intraoperatively, significant differences among groups were not found and any cat did not required rescue propofol, showing stable hemodynamic state. Isoflurane sparing effect of 40% was obtained in D1 and around 48% in D2 and D3. Postoperative analgesia and muscular relaxation showed to be significantly increased in D3 patients than in D1 and D2, while sedative effects resulted to be decreased. Although none patient in three groups required rescue analgesia, D3 showed the most favourable results. DMED infusion, used as part of a balanced anaesthesia, seemed to be safe, useful and effective to obtain adequate intra and postoperative analgesia in feline patients undergoing ovariectomy.
References: Arora S (2008) Combining ketamine and propofol (“Ketofol”) for emergency department procedural sedation and analgesia: a review. WestJEM 9, 20-23.
Ilkiw JE, Pascoe PJ (2003) Cardiovascular effects of propofol alone and in combination with ketamine for total intravenous anesthesia in cat. AJVR 64, 913-91
Anomalie congenite dell'apparato genitale femminile: un problema troppo spesso sottovalutato nellìallevamento canino
No full textLe anomalie congenite dell’apparato genitale della cagna sono patologie spesso non diagnosticate e delle quali non è chiaro il meccanismo ereditario. La possibilità che queste alterazioni vengano trasmesse alla prole deve essere tenuta in considerazione se il soggetto, malato o portatore, è una fattrice. Dopo aver descritto i tipi di anomalie, indicato l’iter diagnostico e terapeutico più adatto, vengono proposte alcune indicazioni sulla gestione dal punto di vista riproduttivo del soggetto malato e sul comportamento da adottare nell’allevamento
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