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.

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.

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.