Mohamed Ashry

Citation:

Ashry, M., Ultrasonographic pregnancy diagnosis in dogs, , Giza, Egypt, Cairo University, 2009.

Thesis Type:

Abstract:

Dogs have become an important household pet in Egypt beside their valuable part in the community, police and army forces and rescue organizations. The current study aimed at utilizing some important diagnostic techniques such as vaginal cytology and ultrasonography evaluation and improvement of canine reproduction.The current study was conducted on 45 out-patient bitches admitted to the Theriogenology Clinic from November 2008 to June 2009 for pregnancy diagnosis. These bitches were assigned into 2 groups, pregnant (28) and non pregnant (17). Based on vaginal cytology and ultrasonography, the non pregnant group bitches were evaluated and assigned into 7 bitches in anestrus,3 bitches in proestrus, 3 in estrus and 4 bitches in diestrus.Ultrasound examinations of pregnant group revealed that pregnancy was first detected 18 – 24 days post mating, 24 – 25 days from LH surge.Characterization of normal prenatal development was described and used to estimate fetal age. Fetal viability via heart beats was first assessed at 25 – 27days and via fetal movement at 34 – 36 days. Estimation of litter size was accurately done between 25 and 35 days. Parturition date was predicted and used to apply elective cesarean section with delivery of viable healthy puppies.In conclusion, we inferred that vaginal cytology is a simple, rapid and inexpensive test to confirm estrus and help an owner to determine the proper time to breed a bitch. Ultrasonography is a very valuable diagnostic tool to diagnose early pregnancy, estimate litter size, monitor fetal viability and predict parturition date; in addition, to differentiate between pregnancy and pyometra and other abnormalities.