VET 117 Gestation, Lactation, Neonates

Gestation

The period during which a female mammal carries developing offspring in her uterus.

Lactation

The process of producing and secreting milk from the mammary glands after giving birth.

Obese bitches at risk for:

• lower ovulation rates

• smaller litter size

• insufficient lactation

• prolonged inerestourus

• anestrus

Underweight bitches at risk for:

• smaller litter size

• poor lactation

• lower birth weights

Obese queens at risk for:

• Stillbirths

• Dystocia— difficult birth

Underweight queens at risk for:

• Failure to conceive

• Abort or bear small, underweight kittens

• Markedly reduced lactation

Only dogs and cats with normal BCS

should be bred

Properly fed bitches gain

15-25%, mostly in last trimester

Queens experience a

steady, linear gain in body weight (700-900 grams or 1.5-2 lbs)

Excessive weight gain during pregnancy can lead to

• Increased dystocia

• Leads to puppies with hypoxia and hypoglycemia

Inadequate food intake during gestation can lead to

smaller litter size and lower in uterofetal viability

Reproducing

Breeding studs and bitches and queens that are involved in breeding, gestation, or lactation

Feeding

Optimize conception, litter size, parturition, and viability

Mating

Both species with NORMAL BCS, no special nutritional needs, fed as sexually intact young adults

Postpartum bitches weigh

5-10% more than pre-breeding weight

In queens, much of the weight gained will

not be lost and sustains lactation

Lactation

• Success of lactation depends on:

  • BCS before breeding

  • Adequate nutrition throughout gestation AND lactation

• Food needs are related to milk production, which depends on number of nursing pups

• Colostrum intake in pups within 12-24 hours and kittens within 6-8 hours

• Kittens and Puppies begin to eat solid food during weeks 3-4

• Leads to a decrease in milk production and reduce nutrient needs for lactation

Key NutritionalFactors (KNF) for lactation

• Water

• Carbohydrates

LACTATION

NUTRIENT NEEDS ARE GREATER THAN ANY OTHER LIFE STAGE

WATER

Large quantities needed for lactation and is often overlooked

CARBS

Essential for energy supply during lactation, supporting milk production and overall health.

ENSURE BASIC NUTRITIONAL ADEQUACY

• AFCO = intended for gestation and lactation

• Many are also marketed for puppy growth

DRY FOODS vs. MOIST FOODS

• Dry is more nutrient-dense with higher level of carbohydrates

• Moist higher in fat and additional water

• Both forms is accepted

MANAGE TREATS AND SNACKS

• Some may match nutritional profile

• Otherwise <10% of total diet

BREEDING MALE CANINES

Feed same amount as intact male adult unless loosing weight from heavy use- no adjustment on how to offer

BITCHES DURING ESTRUS

• Same amount as intact female

• may have increased appetite

• occasional vomiting

• feed small more frequent meals

• do not feed immediately before or after mating

HOW MUCH FOR BITCHES DURING GESTATION

• First 2 trimesters: Same as intact adult

• Expect a normal decrease in appetite during weeks 3-4 (As much as 30% reduction in intake)

• LAST 3 WEEKS: Increase amount by two thirds (or more in larger breeds) to maintain normal BCS

• If underweight and MUST be bred, increase amounts even more

HOW TO OFFER FOR BITCHES DURING GESTATION

• Small and medium-sized bitches should be food-restricted fed and offered 1-2 meals/day during first half of pregnancy

• Increase to 2 or more meals per day in last half

• Giant breeds and bitches pregnant with large litters can be fed free choice

HOW MUCH FOR BITCHES DURING LACTATION

HOW TO OFFER FOR BITCHES DURING LACTATION

• Feed free choice (nervous dogs can maintain better)

• Exception: Single puppy or tendency to gain weight

• If food-restricted, offer at least 3 meals/day

• Puppies will begin to eat mother’s food around 3 weeks. Make sure they have access

BITCHES DURING WEANING

Reduce amount to help decrease lactation (will cover more in puppy discussion)

FELINES BREEDING MALES

Feed same as intact adult cats

QUEENS DURING ESTRUS

• Feed same as intact adult cats

• May have decreased appetite

• Free choice is often best due to variety of stressors

HOW MUCH FOR QUEENS DURING GESTATION

• Free choice unless obese prone

• By end of gestation intake has increased by as much as 40%

• Normal decrease during last week

HOW TO OFFER FOR QUEENS DURING GESTATION

• Free choice is best

• Obese prone can be fed 3-4 meals/day in controlled portions

• If already obese, do NOT put on weight loss diet

If exhibits hypersalivation, muscle contractions, seizures, and/or weakness

may indicate a medical emergency.

PERIPARTURIENT HYPOGLYCEMIA CANINE

• Infrequent

• If occurs, typically last 2-3 weeks of gestation

• Neurologic signs predmoninate

• Glucose <45 mg/dl

• RISK FACTORS: Poor body condition, Malnutrition (high fat, digestible carbohydrate-free food

• EMERGENCY TREATMENT

• CHANGE IN DIET

ECLAMPSIA (puerperal tetany) in the bitch

• Acute, life-threatening

• Due to sudden decrease in extracellular calcium

• HIGHEST RISK: Weeks 2-3 of lactation,

• Less common Weeks 1 and 4, rarely during last 2 weeks gestation, Sometimes occurs at or just before whelping

• MOST COMMON: Small, primiparous bitches with relatively large litters (low body weight-to-litter size ratio), Typically, less than 4 yrs. of age

Eclampsia

• CLINICAL SIGNS vary based on severity and duration

• Anxiety

• Panting

• Whining

• Hypersalivation

• Vomiting

• Ataxia

• Stiff gait

• Muscle tremors

• Tetany

• Seizures

• Hyperthermia

• Tachycardia

Suggested causes OF ECLAMPSIA

• Excessive dietary calcium supplementation during pregnancy

• Inadequate dietary calcium intake during late gestation and lactation combined with increased calcium demand

EMERGENCY TREATMENT for eclampsia

• Continued oral calcium and vitamin D supplementation through lactation

• Separate puppies from dam for 24 hours and feed milk replacer

• If tetany recurs during same lactation, wean the puppies

PREVENTION of eclampsia

• Subsequent pregnancies

• Feed a high-quality commercial growth/reproduction-type food

• AVOID Calcium supplements

Eclampsia - Felines

• Uncommon

• Timing: HIGHEST RISK during last 3 weeks of pregnancy

• Queens with relatively large litters

COLOSTRUM

Mammary secretion produced 1-7 days dog, 1-3 days cat