Pregnant Bitch Research Articles

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus with Diabetic Ketoacidosis in a Yorkshire Terrier Bitch

A 6 yr old pregnant Yorkshire terrier bitch presented 62 days after mating with an acute history of vomiting and coughing. The owners also reported that the dog was polyuric and polydypsic for the last 2 weeks. Complete blood count, serum biochemistry, and urinalysis revealed hyperglycemia, ketonemia, ketonuria, and metabolic acidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis was diagnosed and after emergency treatment, including fluid therapy, prophylactic antibiotics, and regular insulin, the bitch whelped six healthy normal puppies. Two weeks after treatment, the bitch was clinically normal with normal fructosamine levels. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of gestational diabetes mellitus in a small breed dog.

Prediction of Parturition Date in the Bitch and Queen

Assessment of gestational age and parturition date prediction is a challenging, yet common task in clinical management of the pregnant bitch or queen. Knowing the approximate parturition date is essential for a thorough pregnancy monitoring. Radiographic and ultrasonographic methods are suitable in bitches and queens. In the bitch, moreover, ovulation timing by means of LH or progesterone assay, determination of onset of vaginal dioestrus by means of examination of vaginal cytology, and recognition of impending parturition by monitoring prepartal progesterone levels and body temperature variation are practical methods. A combination of different methods increases the accuracy of parturition date prediction.

First Report of the Use of Meglumine Antimoniate for Treatment of Canine Leishmaniasis in a Pregnant Dog

Canine leishmaniasis during pregnancy is rarely reported, even in countries where the infection in dogs is endemic. The authors report a case of a 4 yr old bitch with leishmaniasis treated with meglumine antimoniate during pregnancy. The pregnancy and delivery were normal and the bitch presented improvement of the infection during treatment. Three puppies died within 2 days of birth and tested negative via real-time PCR for L. infantum. The two surviving puppies were followed clinically, serologically, and by real-time PCR until 1 yr of age with no evidence of congenital leishmaniasis. L. infantum DNA was detected with real-time PCR analysis of uterine tissue from the bitch at the time of ovariohysterectomy. PCR analysis was performed after an ovariohysterectomy of the bitch that was performed two months after parturition. Meglumine antimoniate use in the pregnant bitch may have prevented vertical transmission of leishmaniasis.

Conceptus ecobiometry and triplex Doppler ultrasonography of uterine and umbilical arteries for assessment of fetal viability in dogs

The objectives were to: 1) evaluate blood flow in the uterine (UA) and umbilical (Uma) arteries in the pregnant bitch, by measuring the resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI); 2) to note the presence or absence of the early diastolic notch and diastolic flow in the UA and Uma flow waveforms, respectively; and 3) perform conceptus ecobiometry for fetal growth assessment during pregnancy. Six healthy bitches were examined on approximately Days -44, -42, -36, -31, -28, -25, -21, -18, -14, -8, -4, and -2 of pregnancy (whelping = Day 0). Triplex Doppler and B-mode ultrasonography were used to assess blood flow and conceptus ecobiometry. All pregnancies ended with a normal whelping and birth of live puppies. Prior to whelping, all conceptus dimensions increased significantly, whereas RI and PI of both the Uma and UA decreased significantly. For the UA, RI and PI were (mean ± SEM) 0.95 ± 0.02 and 2.75 ± 0.41, respectively, on Day -44, and were 0.60 ± 0.01 and 0.99 ± 0.03 on Day -4. For the Uma, RI and PI were 0.99 ± 0.01 and 2.42 ± 0.03 on Day -31, and were 0.62 ± 0.01 and 1.15 ± 0.02 on Day -4. The complete disappearance of the early diastolic notch in the UA, and the appearance of diastolic flow in the Uma occurred on Days -16 ± 5 and -21 ± 1. The authors concluded that UA and Uma perfusion were important end points to assess fetal vitality in bitches. Furthermore, the current reference values provided a baseline for monitoring normal and abnormal pregnancies in bitches.

Managing husbandry to increase puppy survival rates

It is common for veterinary nurses to meet clients who have the intention of breeding a litter of pups. These clients may be novice or experienced breeders. In both cases, however, there is often limited input from the veterinary practice into care of the pregnant bitch and care and management of the bitch and pups at the time of whelping (Figure 1). This is unfortunate since management of the parturient bitch can have a significant impact upon the level of neonatal loss.Figure 1: A bitch settled with her pups

Detection of Relaxin mRNA in the Corpus Luteum, Uterus, and Uterine Cervix in the Bitch

In the pregnant bitch, the placenta is a major source of circulating relaxin, but its local expression in the reproductive organs is not clear. This study demonstrated expression of relaxin mRNA in the corpus luteum, uterus, uterine cervix as well as placenta in the pregnant and nonpregnant bitch by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Diagnosis and management of preparturient hypoglycemia in a Great Dane bitch

Normally, during pregnancy, progesterone acts as a potent insulin antagonist and results in hyperglycaemia; therefore, it is very rare for a bitch to become hypoglycaemic. A 4-year-old Great Dane pregnant bitch was presented because of severe weakness and dystocia. Despite various treatments such as the administration of calcium gluconate and oxytocin by the referring veterinarian, the dog remained lethargic and recumbent. On initial laboratory tests, the only abnormality was marked hypoglycaemia. Within few minutes following administration of intravenous Dextrose, the dog became alert, bright and was able to stand. Parturition occurred 40 min after administration of Dextrose, and the dog delivered live, healthy pups. There are only four cases of preparturient hypoglycaemia in dogs in the veterinary literature. All prior cases were small breed dogs. The present report is unique because it describes hypoglycaemia in a pregnant Great Dane.

Time related changes in luteal prostaglandin synthesis and steroidogenic capacity during pregnancy, normal and antiprogestin induced luteolysis in the bitch

In nonpregnant and pregnant dogs the corpora lutea (CL) are the only source of progesterone (P4) which shows an almost identical secretion pattern until the rapid decrease of P4 prior to parturition. For the nonpregnant dog clear evidence has been obtained that physiological luteal regression is devoid of a functional role of the PGF2α-system and seems to depend on the provision of StAR. Yet in pregnant dogs the rapid prepartal luteal regression, coinciding with an increase of PGF2α, may be indicative for different regulatory mechanisms. To assess this situation and by applying semi-quantitative Real Time (Taq Man) RT-PCR, expression patterns were determined for the following factors in CL of pregnant and prepartal dogs and of mid-pregnant dogs treated with the antiprogestin Aglepristone: cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox2), prostaglandin E2 synthase (PGES), prostaglandin F2α synthase (PGFS), its receptors (EP2, EP4 an FP), the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), 3β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase (3βHSD) and the progesterone receptor (PR). Peripheral plasma P4 concentrations were determined by RIA. CL were collected via ovariohysterectomy from pregnant bitches ( n = 3–5) on days 8–12 (Group 1, pre-implantation period), days 18–25 (Group 2, post-implantation period), days 35–40 (Group 3, mid-gestation period) and during the prepartal progesterone decline (Group 4). Additionally, CL were obtained from groups of 5 mid-pregnant dogs (days 40–45) 24 h, respectively 72 h after the second treatment with Aglepristone. Expression of Cox2 and PGES was highest during the pre-implantation period, that of PGFS and FP during the post-implantation period. EP4 and EP2 revealed a constant expression pattern throughout pregnancy with a prepartal upregulation of EP2. 3βHSD and StAR decreased significantly from the pre-implatation period to prepartal luteolysis, it was matched by the course of P4 concentrations. Expression of the PR was higher during mid-gestation and prepartal luteolysis than in the two preceding periods. After application of Aglepristone the overall mRNA-expression resembled the situation during prepartal luteolysis except for EP2, which remained unchanged. These data suggest that – as in the nonpregnant bitch – also in the pregnant bitch luteal production of prostaglandins is associated with luteal support rather than luteolysis. On the other hand induction of luteolysis by the PR blocker Aglepristone points to a role of luteal P4 as an autocrine factor in a positive loop feedback system controlling the availability of P4, StAR and 3βHSD.

Perineal hernia because of retroflexion of the urinary bladder in a rottweiler bitch during pregnancy

A young pregnant rottweiler bitch was presented with a large mass of tissue protruding through the vulvar lips. Foetal death was diagnosed on ultrasonography, and ovariohysterectomy was performed, at which time the bladder was observed to be dislocated caudally into the pelvic cavity under the vagina. The bladder was manually repositioned during surgery. One week later, the bitch was healthy with no evidence of dysuria, stranguria or urinary incontinence. Two months later, the owner reported that the bitch was clinically normal with no recurrence of the retroflexion. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of retroflexion of the urinary bladder during pregnancy.

O sevofluorano em cadelas gestantes

Com este experimento, objetivou-se avaliar como a anestesia geral inalatória, com o sevofluorano, interfere nos parâmetros fisiológicos de cadelas gestantes. Nove cadelas sem raça definida, adultas, com idade média de três anos, foram submetidas ao mesmo procedimento anestésico em dois períodos distintos, sendo o primeiro na condição não gestante e o segundo aos 45 dias de gestação. Todas receberam acepromazina (0,05mg kg-1) pela via intravenosa como medicação pré-anestésica, propofol (5mg kg-1) pela mesma via e sevofluorano diluído em oxigênio. As variáveis estudadas foram freqüência cardíaca e respiratória, pressão arterial sistólica, média e diastólica, temperatura retal, pressão parcial de CO2 ao final da expiração, saturação de oxigênio nas hemoglobinas, pH sangüíneo, pressão parcial arterial de oxigênio, pressão parcial arterial de CO2, bicarbonato e excesso de base. Os parâmetros foram avaliados antes da medicação pré-anestésica (M0) e 15 minutos após (M1), 15 minutos após a estabilização da anestesia inalatória (M2) e, depois, a cada 15 minutos durante 60 minutos (M3, M4, M5 e M6), com exceção das variáveis hemogasométricas que foram avaliadas em M0, M2 e M6. A análise estatística foi realizada com Análise de Variância e teste de Tukey, sendo considerado o nível de significância de 5%. A freqüência cardíaca elevou-se na paciente gestante no momento basal e 15 minutos após a medicação pré-anestésica, sendo observado ainda diminuição da pressão arterial e da temperatura retal nas gestantes. Os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir que o protocolo anestésico não alterou as variáveis mensuradas neste experimento, podendo ser utilizado com segurança para as cadelas, se houver a necessidade de intervenção cirúrgica e/ou anestésica aos 45 dias de sua gestação.

In vitro PGF2α production by endometrium and corpus luteum explants from pregnant and nonpregnant diestrus bitches and placental explants from pregnant bitches

To better understand the process of slow luteal regression of the nonpregnant cycle in dogs and the acute luteolysis that occurs prepartum, the present study investigated in vitro PGF2α production by the endometrium, corpus luteum and placental explants obtained at known times of the cycle from pregnant bitches (days 63, 64 and immediately postpartum; day 0 = estimated day of the ovulatory LH surge) and from nonpregnant diestrus bitches (approximately days 65, 75 and 85). Both basal PGF2α production and its production in the presence of the protein kinase C (PKC) stimulator 12,13-phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu) were determined. For PDBu-supplemented incubations, mean PGF2α production (pg/mL/mg/6 h) by endometrium explants of the nonpregnant bitches in late diestrus was highest on day 65 (205 ± 87) and reduced to low levels (38 ± 17 and 11 ± 11) on days 75 and 85, respectively. The production by corpus luteum explants from these bitches was significantly less on day 65 (46 ± 14) than that of the day 65 endometrium explants, and was slightly increased on day 85 (103 ± 52). The corresponding mean PGF2α production by the endometrium explants of pregnant bitches was on average much greater (i.e., two to three-fold) compared to nonpregnant bitches ( P < 0.01) and involved high concentrations at day 64 (1523 ± 467) and postpartum, compared to somewhat lower levels on day 63 (830 ± 65); luteal PGF production (165 ± 4) was also higher than in nonpregnant bitches around day 65. For pregnant bitches, PGF production per gram of tissue in the endometrium explants was greater than for the CL or placenta explants (180 ± 37). Therefore, the endometrium of the pregnant bitch has an increased capability to produce PGF2α immediately prepartum, which on a tissue weight basis, exceeds that of either corpora lutea or the placenta. However, assuming a larger mass of placental tissue in vivo, we inferred that the placenta may contribute substantially to peripheral PGF concentrations.

True Hermaphroditism in Six Female Littermates After Administration of Synthetic Androgens to a Pregnant Bitch

A pregnant bitch was treated with a synthetic testosterone mixture on approximately day 40. The female offspring (six pups) showed an increased anogenital distance, vaginal enlargement and a variable amount of vaginal discharge. The urinary orifice was found dorsally in the vestibulum, stooled on a protruding phallus-like structure. All six pups underwent a laparotomy and subsequent spaying and a modified ventral episioplasty technique to lift up the labia to a more vertical position in order to prevent urine accumulation. Histopathological examination of the genital tracts demonstrated the presence of bilateral ovotestis and remnants of the Wolffian duct system in all cases. The finding of true hermaphroditism of the offspring after exogenous androgen administration during gestation of the bitch has not yet been reported elsewhere.

Gross and Histomorphological Studies of Femoral Head Resurfacing in Dog

The foetal skull bone as a biological graft was investigated. This study was conducted on Fifteen adult mixed - breed normal dogs 12 to 24 months with weighing 21.4=3.6 Kg .Dogs were randomly divided into 3 groups of 5 animals each. The foetal skull bone of 45 days old was collected from one pregnant bitch via cesarean method. The right femoral head cartilage was removed completely in all dogs of 3 groups.. Group I acted as control one, whereas in II group, resurfacing was done by using foetal skull bone which was fixed by using 0.8 mm cerclage wire in criss-cross fashion, but in III group, it was done similar to II group and the hip joint additionally was fixed by using 2 mm steinmenn pin.The clinical observations was made accordingly for 60 days in all groups. The gross changes of femoral head in group I & II were quite smooth and slippy, but in III group were uneven and rough due to secondary changes and ankylosis, but on micropscopic interpertation there was a remarkable compatibility of the graft with femoral head.The reconstruction of articular cartilage was faster in group II and even group III animals than group I animals. There was single row of chondrocyte in scatter area of samples in group . The complete and uniform hyaline cartilage in group II and fibro - cartilage and mixture of connective tissues in group III animals were observed. The results indicated that the foetal skull bone due to its pleuripotent calvarium easily can orient itself into the chondrocytes and cartilagenous tissues in articular surface of the hip joint, if there is suitable enviroment before complete ossification,so that normal joint motion could expect.

Spontaneous rupture of uterus in the bitch at parturition with evisceration of puppy intestine - a case report

A rupture of one uterine horn&amp;nbsp;at the region of small curvature and placentation was observed in a pregnant 8-year old Schnauzer bitch carrying a single foetus. It occurred at its second parturition. The first whelping at the age of 3 years had been without complications and the bitch reared eleven puppies. The uterine rupture occurred at the puppy&amp;rsquo;s umbilical cord. An urgent obstetrical examination revealed one dead foetus in anterior presentation and ventral position. Caesarean delivery was indicated. Evisceration of puppy&amp;rsquo;s intestine through its ruptured abdominal wall at the umbilical cord could be observed through the uterine wall rupture of 1.5 cm in diameter. The bitch underwent hysterectomy and recovered without complications.

Ultrasonographic Assessment of Abnormal Pregnancy

Ultrasonographic imaging is widely used in small animal practice for the diagnosis of pregnancy and the determination of fetal number. Ultrasonography can also be used to monitor abnormal pregnancies, for example, conceptuses that are poorly developed for their gestational age (and therefore are likely to fail), and pregnancies in which there is embryonic resorption or fetal abortion. An ultrasound examination may reveal fetal abnormalities and therefore alter the management of the pregnant bitch or queen prior to parturition. There are, however, a number of ultrasonographic features of normal pregnancies that may mimic disease, and these must be recognized.

252 Effects of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to mu-opioid receptor and G proteins on rat brain

To better understand the process of slow luteal regression of the nonpregnant cycle in dogs and the acute luteolysis that occurs prepartum, the present study investigated in vitro PGF2α production by the endometrium, corpus luteum and placental explants obtained at known times of the cycle from pregnant bitches (days 63, 64 and immediately postpartum; day 0 = estimated day of the ovulatory LH surge) and from nonpregnant diestrus bitches (approximately days 65, 75 and 85). Both basal PGF2α production and its production in the presence of the protein kinase C (PKC) stimulator 12,13-phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu) were determined. For PDBu-supplemented incubations, mean PGF2α production (pg/mL/mg/6 h) by endometrium explants of the nonpregnant bitches in late diestrus was highest on day 65 (205 ± 87) and reduced to low levels (38 ± 17 and 11 ± 11) on days 75 and 85, respectively. The production by corpus luteum explants from these bitches was significantly less on day 65 (46 ± 14) than that of the day 65 endometrium explants, and was slightly increased on day 85 (103 ± 52). The corresponding mean PGF2α production by the endometrium explants of pregnant bitches was on average much greater (i.e., two to three-fold) compared to nonpregnant bitches (P < 0.01) and involved high concentrations at day 64 (1523 ± 467) and postpartum, compared to somewhat lower levels on day 63 (830 ± 65); luteal PGF production (165 ± 4) was also higher than in nonpregnant bitches around day 65. For pregnant bitches, PGF production per gram of tissue in the endometrium explants was greater than for the CL or placenta explants (180 ± 37). Therefore, the endometrium of the pregnant bitch has an increased capability to produce PGF2α immediately prepartum, which on a tissue weight basis, exceeds that of either corpora lutea or the placenta. However, assuming a larger mass of placental tissue in vivo, we inferred that the placenta may contribute substantially to peripheral PGF concentrations.

妊娠犬に対する反復ハロセン麻酔

妊娠犬に対する反復ハロセン麻酔

Manipulation of duration of action of a synthetic prostaglandin analogue (TPT) assessed in the pregnant beagle bitch

Beagle bitches were treated on days 20–22 of pregnancy with TPT as an aqueous solution administered subcutaneously via a mini-pump at a rate of l0μg per hour for either 24 (I) or 48 hours (II). Additional animals received a single subcutaneous injection of 200μg of TPT as an aqueous solution (III) or dissolved in polyethylene glycol 400 (IV) or the methyl ester of TPT dissolved in polyethylene glycol 400 (V). The duration of action was assessed by the nadir in circulating progesterone levels. By this criterion the duration of action in the different groups ranked I=III<II=IV<V, the nadir occurring at 2, 3 and 3–4 days post treatment, respectively. Duration of action correlated with the incidence of abortion, Salivation. emesis and diarrhea or hypothermia side effects, previously noted for this agent. were not affected by the manipulations of duration of action.

Uterine and ovarian artery blood flow in the pregnant dog: Attempt at comparative study in pregnant women

UABF and OABF were measured in dogs with the electromagnetic flowmeter. In eight nonpregnant animals, UABF was on the average 3.2 ml/min and OABF 0.4 ml/min. In 10 pregnant bitches near term UABF was 27.3 ml/min and OABF 1.3 ml/min. Complete aortic occlusion in the pregnant bitch at term reduces UABF to 2.4 ml/min (loss of 24.9 ml/min) and increases OABF to only 1.6 ml/min (gain of 0.3 ml/min). The conclusion is that most of the blood flow to the uteroplacental unit in the pregnant bitch is channelled through the uterine artery and the marked drop in UABF produced by acute aortic occlusion is not compensated by an increase in OABF. The conditions are different in human pregnancy where the progressive nature of the aortic compression by the pregnant uterus allows, under the most favorable circumstances, the gradual development of a collateral circulation mostly through the ovarian arteries. However, this does not occur all the time as demonstrated by angiographic studies in a series of 12 patients and in similar studies reported in the literature. This could result in a placental insufficiency.

CHANGES IN BLOOD COAGULATION PROFILES OF DAIRY COWS DURING PREGNANCY AND IN HEIFER CALVES AFTER HORMONE TREATMENT

Blood coagulation profiles were determined throughout pregnancy in dairy cows. Unlike the pregnant human female or the pregnant bitch, the bovine coagulation profiles remained relatively constant throughout pregnancy and showed little change in response to the changes in plasma levels of estrogen and progesterone which occur during pregnancy. While there was a tendency for the platelet count to decrease and the plasma fibrinogen levels to increase during pregnancy, the levels of specific coagulation Factors VIII and XI remained constant and Factors VII and IX showed an increase in some animals but not in others. The changes in coagulation profiles of heifer calves after treatment with progesterone and estrogen alone and in combination were similar to those observed during pregnancy.