Vol. 9, Issue 3, Part I (2024)

Author(s): J Umamageswari, Deepanshi K, R Anil Kumar, M Ananda Chitra, K Ravikumar and R Sureshkumar

Abstract: Thirty bitches of different breeds, weighing 5 to 40 kg and aged between 2 to 6 years presented to the Small Animal Gynaecology unit of Madras Veterinary College, Chennai for pregnancy diagnosis (after 30-35 days of mating) and were divided into three groups of 10 bitches each as Group I (Abortion), II (Foetal Resorption) and III (Normal pregnancy). Foetal echo biometry and serum progesterone estimation were done. Fetal heart rate from the 5th week of pregnancy was significantly lower in abortion (235.2±9.75) and resorption (203±5.49) groups. As gestation age advances, a significant reduction in the fetal heart rate was observed in group I. Gestational sac diameter during the 7th week of gestation was significantly higher (p<0.05) in normal pregnancy (G-III) bitches (4.02±0.41 cm) than in G-II and G-I. During 5th week of gestation, bitches with normal pregnancy (G-III) had significantly higher (p<0.01) placental diameter (0.49±0.03 cm) than the bitches in abortion and resorption groups. Progesterone concentration in the abortion group was (8.81 ng/ml) found to be significantly lower than that of the normal pregnancy group (10.32 ng/ml). In conclusion, it was found that the bitches in abortion and resorption groups had significantly lower fetal heart rates and lower progesterone concentration than normal pregnant bitches indicating fetal/maternal stress in bitches.

DOI: 10.22271/veterinary.2024.v9.i3i.1489