A study on the beneficial effect of advocating prophylactic spaying of young nulliparous bitches to prevent pyometra

2025-03-03T15:10:25+07:00

This study aimed to evaluate the potential benefits of advocating elective spaying (ES) in young nulliparous bitches as a preventive measure for pyometra, a severe and potentially life-threatening condition. Specifically, the study examined whether elective spaying, which eliminates the risk of pyometra and its associated complications, offers significant advantages over the treatment of pyometra once it develops. Generally, the short- and long-term risks associated with elective spaying are minimal when compared to the significant complications and dangers posed by pyometra. A retrospective open-ended study was conducted, collecting data from veterinary clinics across Penang Island using a structured questionnaire. Information was gathered primarily from medical records and interviews with veterinarians and pet owners when data were missing or unclear in the records. The study compared 30 bitches of various breeds who underwent elective spaying with 30 bitches who underwent emergency ovariohysterectomy (EOH) due to pyometra. A standard set of outcomes was evaluated to assess and compare complications. The results showed that the elective spaying group experienced only minor or trivial complications, and owners incurred significantly lower costs compared to those whose bitches underwent emergency surgery for pyometra, which was associated with more severe complications and substantially higher costs. Based on these findings, the study concluded that elective spaying is a safe and cost-effective prophylactic measure against pyometra.

Performance of pre-breeding cycle-staging techniques in bitches: Clinical comparability of vaginal cytology and progesterone assay

2024-05-16T22:46:26+07:00

Accurate timing of insemination (mating) remains a critical challenge in the reproductive management of bitches. In spite of technical advances in vaginal cytology (VC) and serum-progesterone (SP) assay, the challenges appeared not to have abated. Five clinical scenarios involving VC and SP are presented, aimed at investigating technique-performance and creating more robust awareness on application of SP titers obtained using a fluorescence immunoassay kit having 7.6–20.0 ng/mL as predictable-progesterone-titer-range-for-insemination-(PPTRi). Number of bitches, insemination-readiness-detection-technique(s) (IRDT), score (%) of agreement/disagreement between Insemination-readiness-detection techniques (SABT) for peculiarities of bred bitch(es) (PBB), proportion of bitches that became pregnant confirmed by relaxin assay and, number of pups littered were studied. Results obtained for number of bitches, IRDT, SABT or PBB, relaxin and number of pups littered, respectively were: 22, VC-SP, 81.8%/18.2%, 72.7% and, NA (i.e. not-available) (case I); 2, VC-SP, bitches mated after attaining PPTRi 10 and 13 days after been detected ready-for-mating via VC, 100%, and, 5 and 7, respectively (case II); 1, SP, bitch mated at SP of 4.401 ng/mL, 100% and, 11 (case III); 2, SP, first bitch mated at 4.682 ng/mL and the second at 7.049 ng/mL, 100% and, 9 and 12, respectively (case IV); 1, VC-SP, bitch mated once detected ready-for-mating by VC while SP at 24-hours post-mating was 2.852 ng/ mL, 100% and, 1 (case V). These findings suggest high-level agreement in accuracy of Insemination-readiness-detection between the two techniques, with none reflecting superiority. For better breeding successes, it is recommendable to inseminate earlier, during the peri-ovulation period.

Ovozoa: Journal of Animal Reproduction

A study on the beneficial effect of advocating prophylactic spaying of young nulliparous bitches to prevent pyometra

Performance of pre-breeding cycle-staging techniques in bitches: Clinical comparability of vaginal cytology and progesterone assay