Prediction of Parturition in Canine Using Serial Ultrasound Foetal Monitoring and Serum Progesterone Levels
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ijar.2025.46.03.18Keywords:
Bi-parietal diameter, Parturition prediction, Serum progesterone, UltrasonographyAbstract
A 2-year-old Himalayan Sheepdog with unclear mating history was presented with concerns of delayed parturition. Diagnostic procedures used were serial serum progesterone analysis and ultrasonography to determine approximate gestational age and foetal viability. Data collection of the same parameters were done 48 hrs apart. Owner was advised to monitor rectal temperature and wait for natural whelping after drop in progesterone levels. On first ultrasound scan bi-parietal diameter (BPD) and foetal heart rate were 2.62cm and 244 bpm, respectively. The corresponding serum progesterone was 3.15ng/ml. The readings pertaining to bi-parietal diameter (BPD) and foetal heart rate 48 hours after first clinical examinations were 2.76 cm and 236 bpm, respectively, whereas the serum progesterone was 0.76 ng/ml. Eventually the bitch delivered eight healthy puppies naturally after 14 hrs of last sample collection.
References
Artusi, E. (2016). Clinical use of fetal gastrointestinal motility to predict parturition in the bitch. Thesis submitted to Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Italy.
Beccaglia, M., & Luvoni, G. (2012). Prediction of parturition in dogs and cats: Accuracy at different gestational ages. Reprod. Domest. Anim., 47, 194–196.
Brugger, N., Otzdorff, C., Walter, B., Hoffmann, B., & Braun, J. (2011). Quantitative determination of progesterone (P4) in canine blood serum using an enzyme‐linked fluorescence assay. Reprod. Domest. Anim., 46(5), 870–873.
Cecchetto, M., Milani, C., Vencato, J., Sontas, H., Mollo, A., Contiero, B., & Romagnoli, S. (2017). Clinical use of fetal measurements to determine the whelping day in German shepherd breed bitches. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 184, 110–119.
Geiser, B., Burfeind, O., Heuwieser, W., & Arlt, S. (2014). Prediction of parturition in bitches utilizing continuous vaginal temperature measurement. Reprod. Domest. Anim., 49(1), 109–114.
Gupta, et al. (2025). Prediction of parturition in canine using serum progesterone levels. Indian Journal of Animal Reproduction, 46(3), 120–123.
Reddy, K. C., Rao, K. S., Raju, K. G. S., & Reddy, A. G. (2014). Progesterone profiles and change in rectal temperature in induced whelping bitches. Indian J. Anim. Reprod., 35(1), 8–13.
Siena, G., Di Nardo, F., Romagnoli, S., Mollo, A., Contiero, B., & Milani, C. (2022). Relationship between days before parturition and fetal kidney length, cortical thickness, medullary thickness and their ratio in dogs. Theriogenology, 194, 58–63.
Umamageswari, J., Sridevi, P., & Joseph, C. (2018). Doppler indices of umbilical artery, utero-placental artery and fetal aorta during normal gestation in bitches. Indian J. Anim. Reprod., 39(1), 41–43.
