Predicting the Parturition Date in Bitches of Different Body Weight by Ultrasonographic Measurements of Inner Chorionic Cavity Diameter and Biparietal Diameter

Abstract

Predicting the parturition date in dogs by taking ultrasonographic foetometry has opened interesting research areas of veterinary obstetrics. Recently developed calculation formulas of inner chorionic cavity diameter (ICC) and biparietal diameter (BP) are formulas by Luvoni and Grioni (2000). This study is one of the first reports referring to ICC and BP with the use of Luvoni and Grioni formulas for predicting the parturition time in dogs of different body weight in clinical practice conditions. The research material consists of 70 clinically healthy pregnant bitches of 27 breeds and cross-breeds. Bitches were divided into 4 groups according to their body weight. In each of the bitches, ultrasonographic examination of pregnancy was performed at least twice (ICC and BP measurements). Parturition dates for dogs with a body weight over 25 kg were calculated based on formulas intended for the group of medium dogs. It was caused by the lack of appropriate formulas for these groups of dogs. The predicting parturition dates were compared with the actual dates of delivery provided by the bitch owners. Generally, the results obtained in this study are very encouraging and similar or even better than those published by other authors using foetometric measurements. In our research, when comparing the effectiveness of predicting the delivery date based on foetometric formulas by Luvoni and Grioni (2000), it was proved that in all groups of dogs, even those over 25 kg, ICC and BP measurements at both accuracy levels were characterized similar reliability.

Specific fetometric formulas ofICCandBPfor calculating the parturition date in the miniature breeds of canine

“…Then, this findings suggested possibility for their general usage even in some miniature breeds (Socha & Janowski, ). Similar proposal for larger weight groups of dogs (25–40 kg and > 40 kg) was postulated in own previous papers (Socha & Janowski, ; Socha et al., ). Although, the above non‐specific formulas gave to some extent satisfactory results, it has been suggested to find the specific ICC and BP formulas for miniature dogs (Groppetti et al., ; Kutzler et al., ).…”

“…The BP is related to individual variability of foetal growth during late gestation, whereas ICC represents a placental structure and uterine structure (Beccaglia & Luvoni, ; Kutzler et al., ; Lopate, ; Socha & Janowski, ; Son et al., ). This relationship could also explain the effect of litter size on the accuracy of BP measurements.…”

“…Among several ultrasonographic parameters, the inner chorionic cavity diameter (ICC) and the biparietal diameter (BP) have provided a highly accurate prediction in different weight and breeds of dogs (Alonge, Beccaglia, Melandri, & Luvoni, ; Beccaglia & Luvoni, ; England, Allen, & Porter, ; Kutzler, Yeager, Mohammed, & Meyers‐Wallen, ; Luvoni & Grioni, ; Socha & Janowski, ; Yeager, Mohammed, Meyers‐Wallen, Vannerson, & Concannon, ). ICC measurements can be taken from implantation to approximately 27–25 days before parturition, whereas in the second half of gestation (<25 days before the delivery) BP is another frequently applied indicator (Beccaglia & Luvoni, ; Luvoni & Grioni, ).…”

“…Specific formulas for the evaluation of foetal growth for these dogs are not yet available. Although the universal equations for small breed dogs (Luvoni & Grioni, ) have been previously also used in some miniature breeds (Socha & Janowski, , ) with acceptable accuracy, specific formulas for miniature dogs would allow for more accurate calculation of delivery date. Therefore, the aim of this study was to derive the growth curves of ICC and BP in miniature bitches and new formulas for prediction of parturition date in this group.…”

Development of specific fetometric formulas of ICC and BP for predicting the parturition date in Maine Coon queens

“…Foetal ultrasonography was used in several studies to predict parturition date in weeks 4–9 of gestation (Beccaglia et al, ; Beccaglia & Luvoni, ; Garcia Mitacek, Stornelli, Praderio, Sota, & Stornelli, ; Gatel et al, ; Zambelli & Prati, ). In the group of the analysed ultrasonographic parameters, the inner chorionic cavity diameter (ICC) and the biparietal diameter (BP) are described to be the most accurate and also the most frequently used in cats as well as in dogs (Luvoni & Beccaglia, ; Socha & Janowski, ; Son et al, ). A combination of different fetometric parameters increases the accuracy of parturition date predictions (Michel et al, ).…”