Abstract
BackgroundUltrasonographic monitoring of the pregnant bitch is an established routine in many veterinary clinics. In order to better assess foetal health and avoid pregnancy losses, Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of the pregnant uterus is the need of the day. Investigations on the dynamics of maternal and foetal blood flow using Doppler ultrasound have been conducted in multiple species recently and it is invisaged that it would be a reliable diagnostic tool in future in monitoring pregnancy. The present study was designed to compare Doppler parameters systolic peak velocity (SPV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), pulsatility index (PI) and resistivity index (RI) of the uteroplacental (UPA) and umbilical arteries (UA) measured during 40 to 50 and 51 to 60 days in normal gestation and threatened abortion in canines.ResultsIn total 40 pregnant bitches with known history of breeding; irrespective of age and parity belonging to different breeds were classified into normal gestation (NG) and threatened abortion (TA). Bitches with the history of greenish black discharge or expulsion of one foetus were included in the abortion group and bitches with no such symptoms were included in the normal gestation group. End diastolic velocity of uteroplacental vessels decreased while PI and RI increased significantly with decrease in body weight in threatened abortion cases during 40 to 50 and 51 to 60 days of gestation in canines. Systolic peak velocity and EDV of umbilical arteries increased while PI decreased significantly with decrease in body weight during 40 to 50 days of gestation in canine threatened abortions.ConclusionsDoppler evaluation of uteroplacental and umbilical arteries is recommended as a diagnostic tool to monitor high risk pregnancy during 40 to 50 and 51 to 60 days of gestation in canines.
Highlights
Ultrasonographic monitoring of the pregnant bitch is an established routine in many veterinary clinics
Doppler evaluation of uteroplacental arteries in normal gestation groups (I and II) (Tables 1 and 2) The results of the analysis revealed that the blood flow parameters viz. systolic peak velocity (SPV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), pulsatility index (PI), and resistivity index (RI) in group I and II did not differ significantly (p> 0.05) during 40 to 50 and 51 to 60 days of gestation
It indicates that in normal gestation body weight has no significant effect on blood flow parameters of uteroplacental arteries during 40 to 50 and 51 to 60 days of normal gestation in canines
Summary
Ultrasonographic monitoring of the pregnant bitch is an established routine in many veterinary clinics. An experimental canine model of abnormal gestation suggested that resistive index of the uterine artery could be a predictor of compromised pregnancy and impending abortion in this species [14]. A reduction is heart rate has been the cardinal sign of foetal distress and impending abortion in canines. These abnormalities occurred before heart rate decreased, suggesting that Doppler could be an early indicator of compromised pregnancies and obstetrical diseases. It was hypothesised that estimating uteroplacental and umblical blood flow parameters utilising Doppler ultrasound technology would result in early detection of impending abortion and further help in monitoring the outcome of the treatment in canines
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