1,720,983 research outputs found
Timing of elective cesarean section on biparietal ultrasonographic measurement in English Bulldogs
No full textAmong brachicephalic breeds, English Bulldogs are usually subjected to elective C-sections because of their typical morphological conformation, which predisposes to a high risk of dystocia. In this breed, an average of 8.5% perinatal mortality within the first 7 days of life has been reported (1). Among several factors affecting the postnatal survival (i.e. prolonged labor, dystocia, malformations etc.), the timing of elective C-section has a crucial role. In clinical practice, planned surgery is generally scheduled based on data derived from estrous monitoring, ultrasonographic fetal biometry, and progesterone determination at term. Concerning fetal biometry, a high accuracy of the predicted term is obtained when size-related fetal growth curves are available (2,4). In English Bulldogs, the disproportion between size and body weight and the occurrence of sporadic natural parturition (due to elective C-sections), hinder the definition of fetal growth curves based on actual parturition term.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on perinatal mortality of an elective C-section performed at different times from the parturition day predicted only by biparietal (BP) measurements (using fetal growth curves of medium sized bitches).
Litter size and perinatal mortality in 25 English Bulldogs subjected to C-section were retrospectively evaluated. Bitches were grouped according to the time interval between C-section and the day of parturition term estimated by BP measurements (2). BP was visualised on a longitudinal scan of a fetal head and the distance between parietal bones was recorded. The BP measurements were performed between week 5 and 8 of gestation (3): ≤ 2 days (group A, n. 17) or 3 days (group B, n. 8). Data were statistically analyzed by Chi-Square and the OR was calculated.
Neonatal loss occurred in a significant higher proportions of litters of group B compared to group A (87.5% vs 17.7%, p<0.001). Out of overall 147 puppies, perinatal mortality was also higher (p<0.001) in group B (32.7%, 18/55) compared to group A (5.4%, 5/92): OR between groups was 8.5 (p<0.001).
Present results demonstrate that in English Bulldogs the elective C-section can be safely performed when based on the date of whelping estimated by ultrasonographic BP growth curves of medium size bitches. A eight times greater risk for perinatal mortality occurred when the surgery was performed 3 days before the predicted parturition day, instead of within 2 days in which the mortality resulted lower than the rate of 8.5% expected in this brachicephalic breed (1).
[1] Tønnessen R, Sverdrup Borge K, Nødtvedt A, et al. Canine perinatal mortality: A cohort study of 224 breeds. Theriogenology 2012;77:1788–1801.
[2] Luvoni GC, Grioni A Determination of gestational age in medium and small size bitches using ultrasonographic fetal measurements. J Small Anim Pract 2000;41:292–294.
[3] Beccaglia M, Luvoni GC Prediction of parturition in dogs and cats: accuracy at different gestational ages. Reprod Domest Anim 2012;47:194-196.
[4] Alonge S, Beccaglia M, Melandri M, et al. Prediction of whelping date in large and giant canine breeds by ultrasonography foetal biometry. J Small Anim Pract 2016;57:479-483
ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF CANINE PREGNANCY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO FETAL DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTH.
Full text linkNowadays ultrasonography represents the gold standard method for the evaluation of canine fetal development and health.
In dogs, the gestational age is estimated by the ultrasonographic measurements of extra-fetal and fetal structures. The fetal development has been deeply investigated in small and medium dogs, whereas only few information are available for large and giant size bitches, even though they are very popular canine breeds. The measurements of the inner chorionic cavity (ICC) in early pregnancy, and the biparietal diameter (BP) in late pregnancy are commonly used in clinical practice. Both ICC and BP are highly reliable when size-related specific formulae are applied, thus, specific equations for large and giant dogs would allow the most accurate prediction of parturition term.
Only few parameters are available to objectively assess the fetal health during canine pregnancy. Among them, the fetal heart rate (FHR) is generally used, but the relationship between FHR and maternal heart rate (MHR) has been poorly investigated. The availability of reference values of the ratio FHR/MHR, could better contribute to the evaluation of the fetal health at different gestational ages, than the single FHR values.
The aims of this study were 1) to derive the growth curves of extra-fetal and fetal structures (ICC and BP) in large and giant size bitches and to evaluate their accuracy (Paper 1); 2) to evaluate the trend of FHR and of the ratio FHR/MHR in bitches of different pre-gestational bodyweight (Paper 2).
Present results showed a significant relationship between days before parturition and ICC or BP in large and giant size bitches. The overall accuracy ±2 days of both parameters was significantly higher than the accuracy ±1 day. Only in giant bitches, the BP accuracy of the prediction was significantly lower in small than normal litter size. As previously observed in other sizes dogs, the gender did not affect the accuracy of the prediction.
The second study demonstrated that both FHR and FHR/MHR significantly fitted a multiple quadratic regression for all independent variables. They both resulted higher in low and high bodyweight, and reached the maximum values at about 20 days before parturition. Maternal pre-gestational bodyweight and the gestational age influenced both FHR and FHR/MHR.
The highest significance of FHR/MHR, compared to FHR, encourages the application of this ratio, to evaluate fetal health. The derived equation for FHR/MHR ratio, that describes the trend in healthy fetuses, could be helpful in clinical practice to derive expected values in uncomplicated pregnancies
Single formulae of inner diameter of chorionic cavity and biparietal diameter for the prediction of parturition term in different size bitches of non-brachycephalic breeds
No full textThe enormous variety in size among different canine breeds, prompted the elaboration of size-specific formulae of ultrasonographic fetal biometry to accurately identify gestational age (GA) and to predict the parturition 1. Among different parameters, the inner diameter of chorionic cavity (ICC) and the biparietal diameter (BP) provided a highly accurate prediction in small, medium, large and giant size dogs1-3. However, the availability of one single formula for ICC or BP of all different size dogs would simplify the everyday use of fetal biometry in clinical practice. The aims of this retrospective analysis were 1) to derive a single growth curve of ICC and BP for all size bitches of non-brachycephalic breeds; 2) to evaluate their accuracy for parturition term prediction. A total of 67 measurements of ICC and 111 of BP (using SonoAce 8800, Medison Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea) of 32 bitches, equally divided in 4 different sizes, were analyzed by a multiple linear regression model to investigate the relationship between ICC or BP growth, maternal body weight (MBW) and GA. The accuracy of the prediction obtained with 166 ICC and 367 BP of non-brachycephalic bitches of different sizes, was compared to that obtained with the size-specific formulae2,3. A significant relationship between GA, MBW and ICC or BP was obtained (p<0.001) and the derived equations were as follows: ICC y=(z-66.3384-0.1767*x)/1.5121 (r2=0.97); BP y=(z-26.9346-0.0488*x)/0.693 (r2=0.97) where z=measurement of ICC or BP (mm), x=MBW (kg), y= GA (days before parturition), a=intercept, b and c=regression coefficient. The accuracies (±1 day and ±2 days) of ICC and BP obtained with the single formula were not statistically different from those obtained with the size-specific formulae. The high accuracy suggests the use of these formulae in routine application of fetal biometry for parturition term prediction in non-brachycephalic breeds. The growth curves of ultrasonographic parameters in brachycephalic bitches, prone to feto-pelvic disproportion, deserve further studies.
[1] Luvoni GC, Beccaglia M. The prediction of parturition date in canine pregnancy. Reprod Domest Anim 2006;41:27-32. [2] Luvoni G.C., Grioni A. Determination of gestational age in medium and small size bitches using ultrasonographic foetal measurements. J Small Anim Pract 2000;41:292-4. [3] Alonge S, Beccaglia M, Melandri M, et al. Prediction of parturition term in large and giant size bitches by ultrasonographic measurements. Proc.18th EVSSAR Congr, Hannover, Germany,2015;p145
Fetal and maternal heart rate ratio in pregnant bitches: effect of gestational age and maternal bodyweight
No full textIntroduction and aim. The most widely used method to evaluate fetal health is the monitoring of fetal heart rate (FHR). In case of fetal distress a bradycardia is commonly detectable, but the relationship between FHR and maternal heart rate (MHR) has been poorly investigated (1). Pregnancy induces some hemodynamic changes and MHR tends to be higher to ensure adequate blood supply to the fetus (2). However, several factors such as maternal age, breed, bodyweight, temperament could also affect the MHR (3). The availability of reference values of the ratio FHR/MHR, could better contribute to the evaluation of the fetal health at different gestational ages than the single FHR values. For this purpose, the trend of FHR, and FHR/MHR ratio in bitches of different pre-gestational bodyweight was evaluated during uncomplicated pregnancies.
Materials and methods. Pregnant bitches (n=17) of different breeds, pre-gestational bodyweights (5.8-68 kg) and ages (2-7 years) were examined by ecocolordoppler (SonoAce 8800, Medison Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea) twice a week (5 bitches) from day 21 after ovulation (progesterone 4-10 ng ⁄ml), and at week 4, 7, and 9 of pregnancy (12 bitches). To reduce and control the stress-effect induced by the restraint, MHR was evaluated at the aortic valve three times: at the beginning of the examination, after 10 minutes and at the end of the examination. The FHR of at least 3 different puppies (in litter size >3) was recorded. Only data from uncomplicated pregnancies (n=11) were included in the statistical analysis. The relationship between FHR, and FHR/MHR ratio, and independent variables (pre-gestational maternal bodyweight, and gestational age, in terms of days from parturition) was analyzed by a quadratic regression (p≤0.05).
Results. Fetal heart rates and FHR/MHR ratio significantly fitted a multiple quadratic regression for all independent variables (p<0.02 and p<0.05, respectively); FHR increased from 35 days to 20 days before parturition, and then a decreasing pattern until parturition followed. Higher values of FHR were observed in bitches of lowest and highest bodyweight. As seen for FHR, the FHR/MHR ratio resulted higher in low and high bodyweight, and it reached the maximum values at about 20 days from parturition. The FHR/MHR ratio was well expressed by a quadratic law, in terms of pre-gestational bodyweight and gestational age. The equation derived was as follows: z= 1.8284-0.0137x + 0.00014x2+0.05071y-0.00099y2,where z = FHR/MHR ratio, x = pre-gestational maternal bodyweight (kg), y= days from parturition.
Conclusion. This study suggests that the maternal pre-gestational bodyweight and the gestational age influence FHR and MHR. The patterns of FHR and FHR/MHR ratio were similar, but the ratio better describes the effect of the independent variables on the data. The highest significance of FHR/MHR compared to FHR alone, encourages the application of this ratio to evaluate fetal wellbeing. The derived equation could be applied in clinical practice to obtain the expected values in healthy pregnancies.
References. 1) Johnston et al., Canine and Feline Theriogenology 2001; WB Saunders, Philadelphia. 2) Lucio et al., Reprod Dom Anim 2009;44(suppl 2):133-6. 3) Hezzell et al., JSAP 2013;54:318-24. 4) Assali et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol 1977;129:748-59
Ultrasonographic study of age-related changes on the size of prostate and testicles in healthy German Shepherd dogs
No full textIntroduction and aim. In last decades, dog life expectancy has increased and now the overall median age at death is 11 years approximately (1). This can be attributed to different factors, including better management and nutrition, improved owner education and veterinary care. Therefore, an increasing demand for understanding changes due to ageing in dogs has aroused. In males, prostate and testicle dimensions are positively correlated with body weight (2-6) and their size change along life. Prostate gland increases in weight due to normal growth and it may develop benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in dogs over 5 years (7). A senile involution of the gland might also occurs in aged dogs (2). The size of the testicles increases only during juvenile period within puberty (8). The study of size changes of these organs, could contribute to set reference values for their asymptomatic non pathological ageing. For this purpose, in the present study the ultrasonographic age-related changes of prostatic and testicular dimensions in an homogeneous group of healthy German Shepherd dogs were evaluated.
Materials and methods. Fifty-nine intact German Shepherd dogs aged between 1 and 12 years (mean body weight 33.1 ± 4.5 kg) healthy, with normal physical examination, no history of genital disorders, no previous hormonal treatments and normal echotexture of prostate and testicles were included in this study. Length (L), width (W) and height (H) of the prostate and testicles were determined by ultrasonographic examination (8C-RS 6-10MHz probe, Vivid i, GE Medical Systems Israel Ltd, Tirat Carmel, Israel). Prostatic and testicular volume was estimated using the ellipsoid formula L x W x H x 0.523 (9). Data were analyzed by non-linear fit followed by ANOVA and significance was set at p<0.05.
Results. Overall size of the prostate progressively increased with age (Fig. 1; p<0.0001). The average dimensions of right and left testicles showed a significant age-related tendency to increase within 6 years of age with a subsequent significant decrease (Fig. 2; p<0.0001).
Conclusions. The availability of reference values for prostatic and testicular age-related size changes in different breeds could help practitioners to evaluate whether dimensions of these organs may be responsible or predictive of clinical signs.References.1) Adams et al. JSAP, 2010;51,512–24. 2) O’Shea. J Comp Pathol, 1962;72:321-31. 3) Woodal et al. JSAP, 1988; 29:543-7. 4) Eilts et al. Theriogenology, 1993;40:819-28. 5) Ruel et al., Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 1998;39:212-6. 6) Atalan et al., JSAP 1999;40:119-22. 7) Johnston et al. Canine and Feline Theriogenology, 2001; WB Saunders, Philadelphia. 8) James and Heywood. Toxicology, 1979;12:273-9. 9) Gouletsou et al. Anim Reprod Sci, 2008;108:1-12
Factors affecting neonatal bodyweight and growth rate in Great Dane puppies
No full textIn puppies, a physiological weight loss (<10%) in the first 24-48 h of age is reported; then double bodyweight should be recorded by 10 days after birth1. Neonatal bodyweight (NBW) at birth and neonatal weight gain (NWG) vary in dogs of different size as among breeds of similar size2. Among several factors, also maternal and paternal bodyweight (MBW and PBW, respectively), litter size (LS), genetics, and neonatal gender (NG) might influence NBW, and growth rate. Breed-specific reference values for NBW and NWG are helpful for the correct management of normal newborns and for the prompt recognition of puppies underweighted at birth or that fail to grow. The aims of this study were: 1) to depict NBW and NWG curves of Great Dane puppies; 2) to investigate factors influencing NBW and NWG in this breed. Eight bitches of a single FCI kennel (BCS of 2.5-3/5) were enrolled in this study. The MBW, PBW and BCS were assessed at breeding. All bitches were fed with the same commercial diet according to metabolic requirements for gestation and lactation. At whelping, NBW of 108 puppies (18 litters) measured before the first suckling, LS and NG were recorded. All puppies were fed exclusively by maternal milk assumption. The NBW was daily (evening) monitored for the following 3 weeks of age. The effect of MBW, PBW, LS and NG on both NBW and NWG was evaluated. All data were statistically analyzed by Student T Test and ANCOVA (p<0.05). The MBW was 60.4±4.69 kg, the PBW was 71.7±4.30 kg. All puppies were born at term of normal pregnancies. At whelping, litter size was 6.0±3.16 (mean±SD) and NBW was 620.9±94.04 g (mean±SD), with a ratio of 1.04% and 0.87% compared to MBW and PBW, respectively. The NBW was positively influenced by MBW, PBW and negatively influenced by litter size and female gender (p<0.01). A daily NBW curve was drawn plotting body weight and age (days): the exponential trend line resulted in y = 606.28e0.0523x (R2=0.99). No significant weight loss was detected in the first 48 hours of age; a constant trend line of growth (p<0.0001) was instead observed from birth to the end of the study, with a daily increase of 5.42±1.72% (mean±SD). The NWG was positively influenced only by PBW (p<0.01) and negatively affected by LS and female gender (p<0.01). A weekly growth rate curve was built comparing growth rate and age (weeks): the exponential trend line resulted in y=1,0544e0,0479x (R2=1). In puppies of 3 weeks of age, NBW was 2.00±0.60 kg (mean±SD), with a ratio of 3.23% and 2.72% compared to MBW and PBW, respectively. Present results confirm that growth rate is slower in giant than in smaller dogs3, even in healthy puppies. The breed-specific Great Dane NBW and NWG curves defined in this study might be helpful in clinical practice to estimate the healthy growth of puppies. The positive influence of PBW, already reported in other species, such as cattle4, and the negative effect of the female gender on both NBW and NWG in Great Dane puppies might be explained by a possible sexual dimorphism between male and female puppies expressed already at birth by a different bodyweight
Effect of hyperadrenocorticism on ultrasonographic findings in prostate and testicles of aged dogs
No full textIntroduction and aim. The main causes of hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) in the dog are an excessive secretion of ACTH, a functional adrenal tumor, or the administration of glucocorticoid drugs (1). An increased concentration of glucocorticoids is involved in the suppression of reproductive functions because of the interaction of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and -gonadal axes (1). It has been proved that the experimental administration of glucocorticoids results in a decreased concentrations of testicular androgens (2). Endocrinological disorders, as HAC, or long-term exposure to androgens, as ageing, influence the morphological and functional status of testicles and prostate. For instance, in case of HAC a testicular atrophy has been described whereas in old dogs a common finding is the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (1,3,4). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of HAC on ultrasonographic findings in prostate and testicles of aged dogs.
Materials and methods. Twenty-five intact aged dogs (10 to 16 years) with non-iatrogenic HAC were included in this study. The HAC diagnosis was performed by low-dose dexamethasone suppression test combined with urine cortisol:creatinine ratio (5). Clinical soundness examination and ultrasonography evaluation (8C-RS 6-10MHz probe, Vivid i, GE Medical Systems Israel Ltd, Tirat Carmel, Israel) of prostate and testicles were performed in all dogs. Prostatic and testicular volume was estimated using the ellipsoid formula L x W x H x 0.523 (6) and compared with normal values for different body weights as described in the literature (4,7,8). Data were analyzed by Chi Square test and significance was set at p<0.05.
Results. In 56% of the dogs prostate was of normal dimensions and this proportion was similar to that of dogs with atrophic gland (36% p>0.05), but significantly higher than that of dogs with enlarged gland (8%; p<0.001). Only endoprostatic cysts smaller than 1 cm in diameter were observed in 35.7% (5/14) of dogs with prostate of normal size, in 22.2% (2/9) of dogs with small prostate and in all dogs with enlarged prostate. In the majority of the dogs (64%) both testicles were normal, whereas in the remaining 36% (p<0.05) testicles were altered in size and/or echotexture.
Conclusions. Hyperadrenocorticism is more frequent in middle-aged to old dogs (1) and 95% of dogs older than 9.5 years are affected by BPH (3). In old dogs a senile involution of the gland is also reported (9). It remains to elucidate whether in case of HAC the low testosterone concentration due to cortisol negative feedback on FSH and LH secretion might be associated with a lower incidence of prostatomegaly and of large endoprostatic cysts as suggested by the present data. The majority of the dogs examined in this study were not affected by testicular atrophy, a sign associated with HAC (1).
References. 1) Feldman and Nelson. Canine and Feline Endocrinology and Reproduction, 1987; WB Saunders, Philadelphia. 2) Kemppainen et al. J Endocrinol, 1983;96:293-302. 3) Zirkin and Strandberg. Anat Rec, 1984;208:207-14. 4) Lowseth et al. Vet Pathol, 1990;27:347-53. 5) Rijnberk and Kooistra. Glucocorticoid excess. In Clinical Endocrinology of Dogs and Cats, 2010; Schlutersche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, Hannover. 6) Gouletsou et al. Anim Reprod Sci, 2008;108:1-12. 7) Eilts et al. Theriogenology, 1993;40:819-28. 8) Ruel et al. Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 1998;39:212-6. 9) Johnston et al. Canine and Feline Theriogenology, 2001; WB Saunders, Philadelphia
Feto-maternal heart rate ratio in pregnant bitches : effect of gestational age and maternal size
No full textFew information is available on parameters that can be used to objectively assess the foetal health during canine pregnancy. To identify a reliable parameter for the evaluation of foetal well-being, the effect of pre-gestational maternal bodyweight and gestational age on foetal heart rate (FHR) and on feto-maternal heart rate ratio (FHR/MHR) was investigated. Seventeen client-owned pregnant bitches of different pre-gestational maternal bodyweight were examined by serial echo colour Doppler. Only data from 11 uncomplicated pregnancies were included in the statistical analysis. The relationship between FHR, and FHR/MHR, and independent variables was analysed by polynomial regression (p ≤ .05). The FHR and the FHR/MHR significantly fitted a multiple quadratic regression for all independent variables. They both increased from 35 to 20 days before parturition and then a decreasing pattern followed. Higher values of both parameters were observed in bitches of lowest and highest bodyweight. Patterns of FHR and FHR/MHR were similar, but the ratio better describes the effect of the independent variables on the data. Thus, the highest significance of FHR/MHR compared to FHR alone encourages the application of this ratio to evaluate foetal well-being. The equation derived by the regression analysis of FHR/MHR could be applied in clinical practice to obtain its expected values in healthy pregnancies
Congenital abnormality of the vagina complicated by haemato-pyocolpos in a 1-year Labrador Retriever
No full textA 1-year-old female Labrador retriever was referred with a few days history of haematic-like vulvar discharge. Physical examination, vaginal inspection and palpation did not reveal any remarkable finding. Transabdominal ultrasound showed echogenic fluid accumulation in the vagina suggesting haemato-pyocolpos. An exploratory laparotomy was performed: a well-delimited ectasic vagina was identified. Ovariohysterectomy and partial vaginectomy and vaginoplasty were performed to spay the bitch and to remove the ectasic vagina. Post-operative recovery and 12-month follow-up were uneventful. Clinical, morphological and histological findings were consistent with a congenital abnormality of the muscular layer of the vagina complicated by haemato-pyocolpos. The disorganization of the vaginal tunica muscularis may have acted as locus minoris resistentiae in the vaginal wall. The organ was dilated and atonic due to the gradual accumulation of physiological fluids complicated by an overgrowth of genital bacteria. This congenital disorder has to be taken into account as differential diagnosis of haemato-pyocolpos with vaginal
discharge in young bitches
Whelping management in a bitch with vaginal beta-haemolytic streptococci
No full textClinical case. The clinical case concerns a 24 months old, second parity German Shepherd bitch with a history of neonatal mortality at the first parturition at the age of 18 months. The owner reported a sharp increase in uninvestigated neonatal mortality involving all the kennel during the last two years. The dogs in this kennel are regularly vaccinated against HCV according to the manufacturer’s protocol. Despite the vaccination program, the neonatal loss continued and the considered bitch lost all the 6 puppies of the first litter during the first 3 days after whelping. The bitch was conducted to the clinical examination seven days after the beginning of vaginal proestrous bleeding. At the clinical examination the bitch appeared in good nutrition, healthy and with no signs of illness. The mammary glands and the external genitalia were normal. The trans-abdominal palpation of the uterus and the ultrasound examination of the genital system revealed the typical findings of the estrous phase of the cycle. Cranial vaginal bacteriology was investigated by swabbing and, in the purpose of estrous monitoring, a blood sample was collected for an initial plasma progesterone measurement and a vaginal smear collected for cytology. The vaginal cytology confirmed the estrous phase with >80% keratinization index and plasma progesterone (P4) concentration was 40 ng/ml. According to the owner’s request, the bitch was immediately submitted to a single natural mating with a male of proven fertility. The bacteriological exam revealed a mild presence of Streptococcus faecalis, not treated. Thirty days after the single mating, pregnancy and viable embryos were detected by ultrasound and the day of parturition predicted (1). Another vaginal swab confirmed a mild presence of Streptococcus faecalis. No treatment was planned. About a week before the expected day of whelping, a clinical exam of the bitch was scheduled with the main purpose of a further vaginal swab. This time a high number of -haemolytic streptococci developed and, according to the antibiotic sensitivity test, the bitch was immediately submitted to treatment with enrofloxacin (5mg/kg/24 hours) and a Caesarean section (CS) planned on the base of the predicted day of parturition, but performed only when P4 was <2 ng/ml and body temperature <38°C. Three hours before the beginning of CS, an additional injection of enrofloxacin was performed in the bitch. Six healthy, mature and viable puppies were born by CS and injected with 5 mg/kg/24 hours enrofloxacin within 60 min after birth. The puppies were allowed to nurse by the bitch, but protected from the possible contamination with maternal vaginal fluids by the use of pants for dogs. Both the bitch and the puppies were treated with enrofloxacin for 7 days after parturition. Contamination from vaginal fluids was avoided by the usage of dog pants for 4 weeks following birth, until the puppies started the nutritional weaning and the vaginal swab was negative for -haemolytic streptococci.
Discussion. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is recognized as a cause of early neonatal mor¬bidity and mortality in humans and maternal colonization with GBS in the genito-urinary system considered as the primary risk factor for newborns that can be contaminated during passage through the birth canal. Prevention is of paramount importance and the most effective tool for prevention is maternal intravenous administration of antibiotics during labour. Some studies evidenced that CS performed before the onset of labor with intact amniotic membranes, strongly reduces the risk for early-onset GBS disease in newborns. Haemolytic GBS are recognized as a major cause of neonatal mortality also in dogs (2), with no effective possible treatment for newborns. Prevention represents the only possibility for survival of the puppies and assisted parturition is mandatory for bitches with vaginal GBS. Prepartum and intrapartum antibiotic administration, aimed to reduce bacterial numbers, could also be helpful for treatment of possible prepartum fetal, or after birth newborn, contamination
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