Determination of Gestation Time in Dogs by Measurement of Foetal Size

Vargová, Nela; Dohnal, Alexandra; Horňák, Slavomír; Kacková, Gabriela; Valenčáková, Alexandra; Horňáková, Ľubica

doi:10.2478/fv-2025-0004

Abstract

Establishing the gestation period in pregnant dogs is important to minimize neonatal loss and complications. This study aimed to predict the day of parturition using ultrasound to measure the inner chorionic cavity (ICC), biparietal parameter (BP) and crown to rump length (CRL) in 10 pregnant dogs. The measurements were taken once between days 21–34 of gestation. The results were inserted into various formulas to calculate days before parturition (DBP) and compared with actual parturition dates. The ICC measurement, using Luvoni and Grioni’s and Groppetti et al.’s formulas, showed the highest accuracy (94 %). The study enhances methods for predicting parturition in dogs, improving prenatal care and reducing neonatal losses.

References

1. Beccaglia, M., Alonge, S., Trovo’, C., Luvoni, G. C., 2016: Determination of gestational time and prediction of parturition in dogs and cats: an update. Reprod. Domest. Anim., 51 (Suppl. 1), 12–17. DOI: 10.1111/rda.12782.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
2. Eilts, B., Davidson, A., Hosgood, G., Paccamonti, D., Baker, D., 2005: Factors affecting gestation length in the bitch. Theriogenology, 64, 2, 242–251. DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2004.11.007.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
3. England, G. C. W., Allen, W. E., Porter, D. J., 1990: Studies on canine pregnancy using B-mode ultrasound: Development of the conceptus and determination of gestational age. J. Small Anim. Pract., 31, 7, 324–329. DOI:10.1111/j.1748-5827.1990.tb00821.x.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
4. Gil, E. M. U., Garcia, D. A. A., Froes, T. R., 2015: In utero development of the fetal intestine: Sonographic evaluation and correlation with gestational age and fetal maturity in dogs. Theriogenology, 84, 5, 681–686. DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.04.030.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
5. Groppetti, D., Vegetti, F., Bronzo, V., Pecile, A., 2015: Breed-specific fetal biometry and factors affecting the prediction of whelping date in the German shepherd dog. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 152, 117–122. DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.11.018.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
6. Hensel, M. E., Negron, M., Arenas-Gamboa, A. M., 2018: Brucellosis in dogs and public health risk. Emerg. Infect. Dis., 24, 8, 1401–1406. DOI: 10.3201/eid2408.171171.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
7. Horňáková, Ľ., Horňák, S., Valenčáková, A., 2023: Gynekologia a porodnictvo psov (in Slovak). Košice: UVLF.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
8. Kim B.-S., Son, C.-H., 2007: Time of initial detection of fetal and extra-fetal structures by ultrasonographic examination in Miniature Schnauzer bitches. J. Vet. Sci., 8, 3, 289–293. DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2007.8.3.289.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
9. Lopate, C., 2008: Estimation of gestational age and assessment of canine fetal maturation using radiology and ultra-sonography: a review. Theriogenology, 70, 3, 397–402. DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.05.034.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
10. Luvoni, G. C., 2013: Ultrasonographic foetal biometry in dogs and cats. World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings. https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=11372&id=5709772&print=1, Accessed January 14, 2024.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
11. Luvoni, G. C., Beccaglia, M., 2006: The prediction of parturition date in canine pregnancy. Reprod. Domest. Anim., 41, 1, 27–32. DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2006.00641.x.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
12. Luvoni, G. C., Grioni, A., 2000: Determination of gestational age in medium and small size bitches using ultrasono-graphic fetal measurements. J. Small. Anim. Pract., 41, 7, 292–294. DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2000.tb03204.x.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
13. Milani, C., Cecchetto, M., Vencato, J., Stelleta, C., Mollo, A., Micheli, E., et al., 2013: Accuracy of prediction of gestational age using foetal and extrafoetal parameters in German Sheperd bitches. Conference: 11th Congress of Italian Society of Animal Reproduction. DOI:10.4488/SIRA.2013.29.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
14. Pretzer, S. D., 2008: Canine embryonic and fetal development: a review. Theriogenology, 70, 3, 300–30. DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.04.029.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
15. Rijsselaere, T., Van Soom, A., Van Cruchten, S., Coryn, M., Görtz, K., Maes, D., et al., 2004: Sperm distribution in the genital tract of the bitch following artificial insemination in relation to the time of ovulation. Reproduction., 128, 6, 801–811. DOI: 10.1530/rep.1.00273.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
16. Ronsse, V., Verstegen, J., Thiry, E., Onclin, K., Aeberlé, C., Brunet, S., et al., 2005: Canine herpesvirus-1 (CHV-1): clinical, serological and virological patterns in breeding colonies. Theriogenology, 64, 1, 61–74. DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2004.11.016.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
17. Rota, A., Cabianca, G., 2004: In vitro maturation rates of canine oocytes from anoestrous bitches in simple media. Re-prod. Nutr. Dev., 44, 2, 105–109. DOI: 10.1051/rnd:2004018
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
18. Schaefers-Okkens, A., Teunissen, J., Osch, W., Brom, W., Dieleman, S., Kooistra, H., 2001: Influence of litter size and breed on the duration of gestation in dogs. J. Reprod. Fertil. (Suppl.), 57, 193–7.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
19. Siena, G., Milani, C., 2021: Usefulness of maternal and fetal parameters for the prediction of parturition date in dogs. Animals (Basel), 11, 3, 878. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030878. Accessed January 2024.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
20. Socha, P., Janowski, T., 2017: Comparison of three different fetometric formulas of ICC and BP for calculating the parturition date in a population of German Shepherd. Theriogenology, 95, 48–53. DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.02.026.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
21. Socha, P., Janowski, T., Bancerz-Kisiel, A., 2015: Ultra-sonographic fetometry formulas of inner chorionic cavity diameter and biparietal diameter for medium-sized dogs can be used in giant breeds. Theriogenology, 84, 5, 779–783. DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.05.012. PMID: 26092700.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
22. Son, Y.B., Jeong, Y.I., Hossein, M.S., Olsson, P.O., Kim, G., Jeong, Y.W., et al., 2021: Comparative evaluation of three different formulas for predicting the parturition date of German Shepherds following somatic cell nuclear transfer. J. Vet. Med. Sci., 83, 9, 1448–1453. DOI: 10.1292/jvms.21-0154.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
23. Songsasen, N., Wildt, D. E., 2007: Oocyte biology and challenges in developing in vitro maturation systems in the domestic dog. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 98, 1–2, 2–22. DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2006.10.004.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
24. Sousa Oliveira, K., 2016: World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress Proceedings. https://www.vin.com/doc/?id=8249794. Accessed January 2024.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
25. Ström Holst, B., Hagberg Gustavsson, M., Grapperon-Mathis, M., Lilliehöök, I., Johannisson, A., Isaksson, M., et al., 2012: Canine herpesvirus during pregnancy and non-pregnant luteal phase. Reprod. Domest. Anim., 47 (Suppl. 6), 362–365. DOI: 10.1111/rda.12099.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Determination of Gestation Time in Dogs by Measurement of Foetal Size

Abstract

Paradigm

My account