VN I Reproduction and Neonatal (1)

1st Heat: 6-8 months of age
Cycles: Every 6 months (2 cycles/year)
Proestrus (5-7 days):
- Uterine lining vascularizes; bloody discharge before ovulation.
- Non-receptive to males.
Estrus (4-14 days):
- Female receptive to male (standing heat).
- Possible mammary development.
- Ovulation occurs (typically no bleeding).
Metestrus (up to 60 days):
- Uterine lining regresses.
Anestrus: Variable duration; resting phase before the next cycle.

Non-pregnant bitch shows maternal signs as if she were pregnant:
- Mammary development
- Lactation
- Maternal behaviors

1st Heat: 5-7 months
Breeding: Long day breeders (mid-January to mid-fall).
Signs of Heat:
Estrus Cycle: Lasts 8-10 days
Induced Ovulators: Ovulate during mating; if not bred, may come into estrus again in 2-14 days.
Free-roaming queens may have 2-4 litters/year.

Fertilization of ova in the same litter by different acts of coitus, resulting in kittens/puppies in the same litter having different sires.

Cats: 63-65 days
Dogs: Similar range but more variable based on breeding cycle.
- Diagnosis:
  - Abdominal palpation: 3-4 weeks
  - Ultrasound: After day 16

Stage I: Begins 12 hours before Stage II
- Signs: Restlessness, vocalization, nesting, tachypnea.
Stage II: Expulsion of young
- Strong uterine and abdominal contractions.
- 20-60 minutes per puppy and up to 20 minutes per kitten.
- Can be up to 2 hours between puppies and 24 hours total for dogs.
- After birth, each corresponding placenta delivered 5-15 minutes later.

Lochia: Normal hemorrhagic discharge up to 8-10 weeks in dogs, 3 weeks in cats; should be non-odorous.
Mastitis:
- Symptoms: illness in puppies/kittens, yellow foul-smelling milk, warm mammary tissue, fever, lethargy, anorexia.
Lactation:
- Ensure the mother produces milk, nursing should last at least 6 weeks.
- Solid food introduction around 4 weeks while still nursing.

After birth, dam typically removes fetal membranes and cleans neonates, starts nursing.
Caesarean Section:
- Clean neonates; open airways by suctioning and stimulating breathing by drying with a towel.

Puppies:
- Males: Penis on ventral abdomen.
- Females: Vulva on caudoventral abdomen.
Cats:
- Both sexes: Located ventral to anus, females have small vertical slip, males have a small opening where testicles develop.

Open between 10-14 days; blueish at birth and transition to adult color by 4-6 weeks.

Cleft Palate:
- Fetal hard palate fusion failure; impacts suction for nursing.
Umbilical Hernia:
- Abdominal wall failure to close; organs outside the body.
Cryptorchidism:
- Testicle(s) failure to descend; retained in abdomen or inguinal region.

Incisors:
- First adult incisors erupt at 4 months, second at 4.5 months, third at 5 months.
Canines:
- Adult canines erupt at approx. 6 months; all primary teeth exfoliate by 6 months.

Occurs during estrus.
Male's courtship varies; licks vulva and mounts with tail to side.
Male penetration:
- Os penis involved; bulbus glandis engorges during mating.
Tie:
- Male turns, penis remains in vagina; ejaculation occurs during tie lasting 5 min-1 hour.

Short: 0.3-8 min for positioning.
Mating can vary in length:
- Female treading: 30 sec to 4 hrs; intromission is 1-30 sec.
Stress Conditions: May alter mating behavior.