Profile of Dogs' Breeders and Their Considerations on Female Reproduction, Maternal Care and the Peripartum Stress-An International Survey.

Dogs are part of many households worldwide and in recent years in some western countries, more and more people describe them as members of the family. The accurate number of dogs per household and the actual demand for puppies are hard to estimate correctly. The sources of dogs seem to be an important element to consider before acquiring a dog since some behavioural disorders are more likely observed in dogs coming from puppy mills and pet stores.

Evaluation of surface plasmon field-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy for rapid measurement of progesterone concentration in bitches.

Objective: To compare progesterone (P4) concentrations measured with surface plasmon field-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS) and chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) in serum and plasma samples of client-owned bitches of various ages and breeds and to determine reference ranges for P4 concentrations at various stages of the estrous cycle.

Samples: 102 serum samples and 104 plasma samples.

Procedures: In experiment 1, 1 aliquot each of serum and plasma was analyzed for P4 concentration by use of SPFS incorporated in a veterinary-specific point-of-care immunologic analyzer and CLIA.

Influence of ADAPTIL during the Weaning Period: A Double-Blinded Randomised Clinical Trial.

ADAPTIL, a dog-appeasing pheromone, was shown to modify the dam-puppies' interactions during the neonatal period but could also influence the weaning period. Fourteen bitch/litter dyads continuously exposed to ADAPTIL from the third/fourth weeks until the seventh/eighth weeks postpartum were compared to 11 dyads exposed to a placebo. Maternal and puppy behaviours were video-recorded, and at three time points (weeks three/four, weeks five/six and weeks seven/eight) after parturition.

Contraceptive implants used by cat breeders in France: a study of 140 purebred cats.

Objectives: Deslorelin 4.7 mg and melatonin 18 mg subcutaneous implants were studied in purebred male and female cats, via questionnaires sent to French cat breeders, to assess breed, age, duration of the contraceptive effect, fertility after use, changes in behaviour and side effects.

Methods: Reproductive data were collected in 57 tom cats and 41 queens implanted with deslorelin 4.

Influence of dog-appeasing pheromone on canine maternal behaviour during the peripartum and neonatal periods.

Background: Parturition and the initial postpartum period are important moments in the reproductive cycle of dogs.

Methods: A study assessed the effect of ADAPTIL, a dog-appeasing pheromone, on maternal behaviour during peripartum. Bitches were continuously exposed to ADAPTIL (n=20) or placebo (n=21) in double-blinded conditions from an average of about seven days before parturition up to 21 days postpartum.