When breeding dogs, it’s important that pregnancy is established and that an accurate stage of pregnancy is calculated. This ensures that the appropriate care and attention can be given at relevant stages of gestation, and increases the likelihood of pregnancy success.

A study published in ‘The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Small Animal Practice’ by Lopate C on 2018 Jul;48(4):617-638 ‘Gestational Aging and Determination of Parturition Date in the Bitch and Queen Using Ultrasonography and Radiography.’ addresses this subject, and the abstract is the focus here. A link to the full article can be found by clicking here.

Veterinary ultrasound is a great technique for examination of the bitch during the breeding process – it's quick to do, non-invasive and results are available immediately. This study explains how both ultrasonography and radiography are useful tools for establishing the stage of pregnancy, along with how mathematical analysis in conjunction with features of the foetus can also be advantageous. In addition, this study discusses how veterinary ultrasound can be used to examine the organs and how this can be a marker of the stage of pregnancy in the bitch being assessed. Finally, the study discusses how ultrasonography can be useful when looking at a number of foetal-related characteristics (including well-being and revealing gender), and to be able to examine the placenta as well.

The results retrieved from these examinations then allow the breeder to be reassured that the pregnancy is both healthy and running smoothly, or in instances where problems arise, allow the necessary precautions to be taken. If you are a breeder and want to see the variety of scanners we stock suitable for this purpose, take a look at our website or feel free to contact us.