Detection of pregnancy in the bitch: a study of abdominal palpation, A-mode ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound techniques |
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| Authors: | W EDWARD ALLEN M J MEREDITH |
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| Institution: | Department of Surgery and Obstetrics and Department of Animal Husbandry and Hygiene, The Royal Veterinary College Field Station, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts |
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| Abstract: | A total of 474 pregnancy tests (of all three types) were carried out on 82 bitches of a variety of breeds. The practical problems and possible sources of error for each test were studied and their accuracy in predicting whether or not the bitches would whelp was ascertained. Palpation of the abdomen, in the period from 26 to 35 days after mating, was found to be 87% accurate in detecting bitches that would whelp and 73% accurate in detecting bitches that would not whelp. The optimum period for using A-mode ultrasound was found to be from 32 to 62 days after mating. In this period the accuracy of detecting bitiches that would whelp was 90%, and for non-whelping bitches was 83%. Two Doppler ultrasound instruments were used. For the superior instrument, the accuracy of detecting whelping bitches was 85% and 100%, in the periods from 36 to 42 days and 43 days to term, respectively. For detection of non-whelping bitches, the accuracy was 100%. |
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