Reveali̇ng the effectiveness of vaginal cytology and ultrasonography in the determination of the time of birth in dogs

The estimated time of birth in dogs can be determined by vaginal cytology on the first day of diestrus, fetal and extra-fetal measurements by ultrasonography, and the decrease in rectal temperature. The aim of the presented study is to make an evaluation for this purpose by using the most reliable prediction methods in estimating the birth time of small breed dogs. For this purpose, 9 female dogs from 4 different small breeds were used in the study. The average weight of the dogs was determined to be 4,23 kg and the research was conducted on animals between the ages of 2-4. The onset of diestrus date of the dogs was determined using vaginal cytology. It was observed that the time interval between the last mating and the onset of diestrus was 2-4 days. It was observed that the small breed dogs used in the study gave birth to a varying number of puppies, ranging from 2 to 6. It was determined that the gestation periods of the animals varied between 57-65 days. ICC, CRL, BP diameter findings were evaluated with ultrasonographic measurements. During ultrasound examination, it was determined that ICC lengths varied between 1.75-3,66 cm and widths varied between 1.25-2.5 cm. The average CRL diameter of the fetuses was measured as 1.57 cm. The average BP diameter of the same fetuses was found to be 0.63 cm. In order to predict the birth time of the animals used in the study, mathematical models used today were applied to ICC, CRL, BP diameters. A birth time estimate was made by adding 57 days to the first day of diestrus. Correlations between the actual gestation period and the obtained estimated gestation periods were evaluated. Correlations between ultrasonographic measurements were found to be insignificant. According to the results, it was determined that the model with the most reliable measurement was the estimation of birth time using the first day of diestrus.