PREGNANCY DIAGNOSIS IN BITCH AND CAT
Ankesh Kumar, Assistant Professor,
Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna
Mobile no.8340588625, Email ID: dr43ankesh@gmail.com
Abstracts
The dog and cat keeping is very much popular now these days because of its faithfulness and excellent hunting qualities. Apart from faithfulness and hunting qualities, people are also kept dogs to protect their property or to guard as this animal can protect humane being at the cost of their life. Pets help to create a cheerful and lovable environment in the house.
While, cats used to be considered the choice of pets for old ladies who live alone. These days, however, more people are discovering how sweet felines can be, and they are becoming a more popular choice for pets. Cats are lovable companions that bring happiness and joy to the lives of many pet parents. Keeping in views of the importance of dog and cat husbandry, fertility and diagnosis of pregnancy at the right time is of paramount importance. The average gestation length in the bitch is 63-64 days but the interval from first mating to whelping can vary from 56 to 71 days whereas queens have the average gestation length of 63-65 days but is reported to be varying between 59 and 70 days. There are mainly the three methods by which pregnancy is diagnosed in cat and dog viz. Abdominal Palpation, Radiography and Ultrasonography.
Introduction
Bitch is not a polyestrous animal, therefore, failure to return to estrus is not considered a method for diagnosis of pregnancy in bitch. During pregnancy there is usually a marked progressive increase in abdominal size from 35 days to term due to the deposition of fat and the increase in size and weight of the uterus besides teat become enlarge and turgid between 35 to 45 days of gestation [1]. The palpation of the uterus through the abdominal wall is one of the best methods of diagnosis early pregnancy in bitch. From 24 to 32 days of pregnancy these round ping-pong ball like swelling in the uterus are about 2.5 to 4.0 cm in diameter and are usually readily palpable [1]. Development of pseudopregnacy which is very common in dogs also creates problems in diagnosis of pregnancy. Changes in body weight, distension of abdomen and characteristic changes of mammary gland do occur at pseudopregancy
The cat is described as being seasonally polyestrous animals. The failure of a queen to come back into heat after breeding is one of the most obvious signs of pregnancy, but pseudo pregnant queens are also having same signs of preganacy. However, queen experiencing a pseudopregnancy will back into estrus or heat within 40-50 days after the last heat.
After 6 weeks of pregnancy, the conceptual swellings increase markedly in size, elongating and merging, thus making palpation more difficult. However, by this stage, there will usually be significant abdominal enlargement [2]. One of the first physical indications of pregnancy is “pinking” of the nipples, which occurs around day 15 to 18 after ovulation. This change in the nipples, which become noticeably pinker and easier to see as the hair around them recedes somewhat and the nipples increase in size, is most obvious in maiden queens [3]. It can be recognized with experience in queens that have had several litters as well.
BITCH
Method of pregnancy diagnosis
- Abdominal palpation
- Radiography
- Ultrasonography
Abdominal Palpation
- Optimum period for pregnancy diagnosis is day 40-45
- Spherical and elongated distension of uterine horns can be palpated on lifting of bitch by putting both the palm at abdomen
- Foetus can be readily palpated at day 45 onwards
Radiography
- Help to differentiate pregnancy from pseudo pregnancy
- Gives information about total number of foetuses in the uterus
- Ventrodorsal view of radiography is more appropriate to identify number of foetus and there presentation
- Identification of pregnancy can be made based upon presence of foetal Skelton
- Foetal sac can be identified at 25 days, skull at 45 day and foetal skeleton at 40-45 days of pregnancy
Ultrasonography
- It has A, B and M modes display out of which B mode is most routinely used. Transducer with 5-7.5 MHz frequency is adequate for most dog breeds while for large and giant breeds, 3.5 MHz transducer is ideal. 5.0 MHz transducer is commonly used for diagnosis of mid to late-term pregnancy. Ultrasonography is usually performed in dorsal or lateral recumbence. Preparation of the site includes clipping of hairs and applying acoustic coupling gel to avoid air interference
- Transducer is placed on abdominal wall
- Earlier diagnosis of pregnancy is at 28 days with a high accuracy rate. Conceptus is readily identifiable
Cat
Method of pregnancy diagnosis
- Abdominal palpation
- Radiography
- Ultrasonography
Abdominal Palpation
- Gently pressing on the surface of the abdomen with the fingers to detect swellings in the uterus that signal the presence of developing puppies and kittens. This method depends on the temperament, size, and body condition of the bitch, as well as the timing of the palpation (the optimal time is between three and a half and five weeks of pregnancy).
Radiography
- Help to differentiate pregnancy from pseudo pregnancy
- Gives information about total number of foetuses in the uterus
- Abdominal radiography is more appropriate to identify number of foetus and there presentation
- Identification of pregnancy can be made based upon presence of foetal Skelton
- Radiography taken of pregnant queen by day 45 of gestation
Ultrasonography
- Abdominal ultrasonography is easy to perform
- Abdominal ultrasound is very accurate at diagnosing cat pregnancy and it can be used to detect pregnancy at all stages of the gestation period from about 4 weeks gestation to full term.
- It has A, B and M modes display out of which B mode is most routinely used. Transducer with 5-7.5 MHz frequency is adequate for most dog breeds while for large and giant breeds, 3.5 MHz transducer is ideal. 5.0 MHz transducer is commonly used for diagnosis of mid to late-term pregnancy.
- Transducer is placed on abdominal wall
References
- Robert, S.J. (1971). Veterinary Obstetrics and genital diseases. 2nd , CBS Publisher & Distributor PVT. LTD. New Delhi-110002
- Noakes, D.E.,Parkinson, J.T. and England, G.C.W. (2009) Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics 9Th Saunders Elsevier, Edinburg London New York Oxford Philadelphia St Louis Sydney Toronto 2009
- https://www.cattylicious.com/is-my-cat-pregnant-when-to-expect-kittens/19-11-2021
https://healthtopics.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/canine/pregnancy-diagnosis-bitch
https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/pregnancy-diagnosis-in-bitches/
