Oestrous cycle:

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The average age at the time of puberty in female dogs is 9 – 10 months of age, but can range from 6 to 24 months of age. The time between oestrous cycles, is extremely variable and can range from 4 – 12 months. The oestrous cycle is divided into four components – proestrous and oestrous, dioestrous and anoestrous.

What is involved in a season or heat (pro-oestrous and oestrous):

• Pro-oestrous: begins with vulval swelling and blood tinged vulval discharge (can last 3 – 17 days)

• Oestrous: is the acceptance of mating. Each oestrous period can last from 3 – 21 days, with an average of 9 days. During this phase the vulva will be less turgid and the vulval discharge is usually less bloody.

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Progesterone assays:      

                                                   

• The collection of blood for a progesterone assay, allows us to determine when ovulation has occurred, and  thus the optimal time to breed.

• Often serial (every 2-3 days) progesterone assays will need to be collected , depending on the initial results.

• Ovulation occurs when progesterone level is 16 –24nmol/L

• Fertilisation should occur 2 days after ovulation. (So if the method of artificial insemination is being used we will use progesterone levels to determine the point of ovulation and then recommend artificial insemination 2 days later.)

• Progesterone levels can also be measured prior to whelping – a caesarean can be performed (to ensure viable pups) if progesterone concentration is below 7.5nmol/L

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Artificial insemination (AI)

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• Artificial insemination is carried out to assist in the optimal placement of semen in the vagina

• Artificial insemination is indicated in dogs that are physically incapable of natural service, or in assisting those who have reduced libido.

• This process is required when using frozen or chilled semen, to ensure the best chances are taken to obtain a successful pregnancy

• Semen is collected manually from the male and evaluated prior to insemination

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Diagnostic imaging to confirm successful pregnancy/foetal viability include:

• Ultrasound

  • Can be performed 3.5-4 weeks following mating

• Radiographs

  • Are used to accurately determine the number of foetuses

  • Must be done after 50 days of pregnancy

  • Only one radiograph study is to be done (excessive radiation exposure can damage the foetuses)

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Pregnancy length in dogs depends on the type of mating:

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• With artificial insemination:                            61 days

• Natural mating (from first mating date):        63 (± 7 days)  

 

Predicting labour:

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• Transient decrease in rectal temperature in most dogs (by 1.1 – 1.7°C) will usually occur 6-18 hours before parturition.

• Loss of appetite during the last 24-48 hours of gestation

• Nesting behaviour

• Progesterone assays (as mentioned above)

 

Stages of labour:

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• Stage 1:

  • Signs: nesting, restlessness, shivering, anorexia, panting

  • Can start contractions

  • The cervix dilates during this stage

  • Lasts 6 – 12 hours.

 

• Stage 2:

  • Obvious abdominal contractions

  • Passage of amniotic fluid

  • Delivery of puppy

  • Should occur within 3-6 hours, with inter-pup interval of 20-30 minutes. 

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• Stage 3:

  • The placenta should be passed 5-15 minutes after the birth of each neonate. All should be passed in 4-6 hours.

  • The dam removes amniotic membrane and cleans the neonate

  • She will severe the umbilical cord and eat the placenta

  • If she fails to remove the membrane from the neonates face the owner should do so.

  • Cleaning the pup is important for bonding between the dam and neonate.

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Dystocia (difficulty whelping)

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• Is most common in chrondrodysplastic (e.g. Dachshunds) and brachycephalic (e.g. bulldogs, Boston terriers) breeds

• Two most common causes –

  • Uterine inertia – failure to develop and maintain uterine contractions sufficient for normal progression of labour.

  • Foetal mal-presentation

• Early recognition is very important and to seek veterinary attention if you have any concerns

• Indicators of dystocia:

  • Stage 1 labour hasn’t progressed to stage 2 within 12 hours

  • First pup hasn’t been born within 2 hours of amniotic fluid

  • Abnormal vulvar discharge (green discolouration, haemorrhage)

  • Foetal membranes

  • Partially delivered foetus for more than 10 minutes.  

  • Dam discomfort – abdominal contractions without progress, vocalisation, signs of pain.

  • More than 1 hour of active labour between births

  • Labour appears to have stopped before entire litter delivered

  • Any sign of illness in full-term female

  • History of previous dystocia

 

Nutrition:

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A female dog’s nutrient requirement during lactation is greater than at any other life stage.

During gestation, particularly the last few weeks you should be feeding a good quality (Hills, Royal Canin or Advance) highly energy and protein dense food, such as puppy (growth) food. This should be continued throughout the lactation period.

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Husbandry management of pups:

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• If the dam is not producing enough milk, the pups may require supplementary feeding with a milk replacer such as Di Vetelact. Feeding should occur every 2 hours.

• The pups should be kept in a clean and warm environment.

• You should start to introduce solid food to the pups at 4-5 weeks of age, using a good quality puppy food (premium brands include Hills, Royal Canin and Advance).

• The pups should be wormed at 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks of age

• The pups can be vaccinated and microchipped from 6 weeks of age

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