Publication Database

The bitch around parturition (2020)

Art

Vortrag

Autor

Arlt, Sebastian P. (WE 19)

Kongress

19th International Congress on Animal Reproduction

Bologna, Italy, 26. – 30.06.2022

Quelle

Theriogenology : an international journal of animal reproduction

Bandzählung: 150

Seiten: 452 – 457

ISSN: 0093-691x

Sprache

Englisch

Verweise

URL (Volltext): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0093691X20301588

DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.02.046

Kontakt

Tierklinik für Fortpflanzung

Königsweg 65
Haus 27
14163 Berlin
+49 30 838 62618
fortpflanzungsklinik@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

Around parturition, a bitch has to cope with various challenges such as hormonal changes, whelping, nursing, milk production, and uterine involution. Monitoring the health of bitches in this period is essential to detect potential illnesses and dystocia early. In that regard, it is elementary to know the normal progress and parameters during pregnancy, parturition and in the puerperium. Some research has been published in the past 50 years giving insights into hormonal and functional changes and findings including definitions of normal parturition and dystocia or puerperal conditions. However, taking a closer look into the literature reveals that for some issues heterogeneous data and varying conclusion were presented, indicating that further research is required. This paper gives an overview on endocrinology and methods to predict the time of parturition in the dog. Furthermore, the stages and mechanisms of parturition and signs of dystocia and puerperal health monitoring are discussed. Fields in which contradictory data have been published include for example the decline of hematocrit in the second half of pregnancy, the body temperature immediately before and after parturition, the interpretation of ultrasound findings, and the length of the canine puerperium. Even if thresholds are not clear for each parameter, examinations such as regular temperature measurement or ultrasound are important to monitor the bitches' health status. Nevertheless, for the practitioner it is important to know that research findings for some parameters used in daily practice are controversial.