Importance of ultrasonography in determining pregnancy dates in small breed dogs

Abstract

Pathological pregnancy and complicated pupping is most often observed in dogs of small breeds. Therefore, it is very important to conduct pregnancy from the moment of mating until the parturition. One of the most informative methods of diagnostic of the condition of the uterus and fetuses during pregnancy is ultrasonography. To date, this is one of the most modern, highly informative and non-invasive diagnostic methods in female animals of many species, including dogs, which may be used to visualize the fetal bladder, embryos, fetus formation, as well as their structural elements. The research was carried out at the Departments of Veterinary Surgery and Diagnosis of Diseases, Therapy, Obstetrics and Animal Reproduction of the Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology - MVA named after K.I. Skryabin. The research targets were 50 dogs of small breeds. The age of the dogs under study was from 2 to 7 years. The weight of the animals ranged from 3300 to 7800 g. All dogs were examined in accordance with the classical method, including anamnesis, general clinical examination, temperature, pulse and respiration measurements. Ultrasound examination was carried out on a ChisonQBit 11 device with a high-frequency linear transducer from 7 to 18 MHz. The evaluation of the fetus condition in dogs was performed starting from the 24th day of pregnancy. Then, ultrasound control was carried out every two days noting changes in the state of the uterus and fetuses up to the 60th day. Ultrasonography allows determining the presence of pregnancy on the basis of visualization of the fetal bladder and embryos only starting from the 14-20th days. Based on the size of the membranes and the stage of fetus development, it is not possible to determine the exact date of birth, but it is possible to determine the age of the fetus and expected date of birth. Ultrasound examination allows excluding complications of pregnancy, the presence of palpitations and fetal movements and to make a prognosis for the course of pupping and survival of puppies.