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.

Manipulation of the oestrous cycle of the bitch-what works… for now.

Manipulation of the oestrous cycle of the bitch is a common request of pet owners for different reasons. On one side, clients may be interested in temporally preventing oestrus until the bitch has finished the performance career, or to manage the kennel in the presence of a stud dog and to avoid undesirable breeding. Additionally, clients with no interest to use their animal for breeding, may, for ethical reasons, prefer to avoid elective surgery such as ovariectomy, to control reproduction.

Neonatal puppy survival after planned caesarean section in the bitch using aglepristone as a primer: A retrospective study on 74 cases.

Since most of dystocia end up in caesarean sections (C-sections), the history of any problem during whelping is a good reason to plan in advance a further C-section. Our aim was to confirm that on a large sample and over an extended period of time, mortality in puppies <2 weeks of age was low, born after a planned C-section using aglepristone as a primer. Seventy-four C-sections on 59 different bitches were included.

Development of the Endocrine Pancreas in the Beagle Dog: From Fetal to Adult Life.

Our objectives were to describe, in Beagle dogs, the ontogenesis of beta (insulin-producing) and alpha (glucagon-producing) cells from fetal to early postnatal life and adulthood. In addition, to have some insight into interspecies comparison, Beagle dog pancreases were compared to pancreases from a Labrador and Chow Chow. At midgestation, the epithelium was dense, beta cells scarce, and alpha cells numerous and concentrated in the center of the pancreatic bud.

Type II atresia ani associated with rectovaginal fistula in a male pseudohermaphrodite kitten.

A combination of gastrointestinal and urogenital congenital abnormalities was diagnosed and surgically treated in a kitten. Physical examination, exploratory laparotomy, castration, histological examination, and cytogenetic karyotyping were utilized to determine the true gender of the kitten. The kitten was confirmed to be a male (38 XY) pseudohermaphrodite with Type II atresia ani and rectovaginal fistula.

Physical, behavioral, endocrinologic, and cytogenetic evaluation of two Standardbred racehorses competing as mares with an intersex condition and high postrace serum testosterone concentrations.

Case Description: 2 Standardbred racehorses that had been winning races while competing as mares underwent postrace drug testing and had serum testosterone concentrations above the acceptable limit for female racehorses.

Clinical Findings: Initial physical examinations by the referring veterinarian revealed ambiguous external genitalia and suspected intra-abdominally located testes leading to a preliminary diagnosis of male pseudohermaphroditism. Horses were referred for further evaluation of sex.