Chapter 5 Reproduction Disorders

 

 

5.1 Reproduction Disorders

The genital system is the most varied of all major body systems of mammals and is one of the few systems whose total dysfunction is neither life threatening nor disfiguring. Functional disruption of other organ systems often results in reproductive failure, but infertility can also be a result of disease of the the genital system alone.

The dog and the cat have reproductive physiologies that vary markedly from those of other animal normally found in close association with man. Often a prolonged period of time will pass while one awaits the appropriate phase or phases of the estrus cycle that need to be studied. The mandatory parts of the data base for infertility in the dog and cat are:

• - History
• - Physical examination
• - Thyroid function testing
• - Brucella canis testing (dog only)
• - Semen evaluation
• - Culture
• - Feline leukemia testing (cats only)
• - Toxoplasmosis test (cats only)

Study of the above point will uncover the vast majority of causes of infertility in a minimum of time in most cases.

This enables one to rationally approach therapy and prognosis in a majority of cases, based upon accurate diagnosis. Obviously, certain cases may require further diagnostic procedures. It is also possible that one may never arrive at a precise diagnosis, regardless of the extent of diagnostic efforts. 

5.2 EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

• 1. Normal labor in the female dog is divided into three stages, briefly describe each stage:
• 2. Name the director of the International Canine semen Banks.
• 3. If the rectal temperature is monitored in a pregnant dog, what is the usual change in the temperature pattern prior to whelping?
• 4.. What is the most critical aspects in the successful use of canine semen?