Combined thickness of uterus and placenta, foetal heart rate oscillations and progesterone concentration in last week of canine gestation

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the combined thickness of uterus and placenta, foetal heart rate and serum progesterone concentration in prepartum bitches. Eighteen pregnant female dogs in the last week of gestation were subjected to ultrasonographic examination and progesterone assay to evaluate changes prior to impending whelping. No significant difference was found in the combined thickness of uterus and placenta measurements in the last week of gestation. However, foetal heart rate showed oscillations and progesterone declined 12h prior to whelping.

Keywords

• canine
• pregnancy
• ultrasonography
• whelping.