Margaret V. Root Kustritz, DVM, PhD, DACT

Brucella canis is a non-motile, Gram negative coccobacillus with a host range limited to domestic and wild canids. Stray dog populations may act as a reservoir. There is a higher reported prevalence in purebred animals but few studies have attempted to compare populations of owned and stray dogs.

Ovariohysterectomy and castration are the surgeries most commonly performed by small animal practitioners in the United States. Exhaustive reviews of the benefits and detriments of gonadectomy at various ages have been published. This is a brief review of the literature to inform decisions regarding best age at which to perform castration or ovariohysterectomy in dogs or cats.

Sterilization = any procedure that makes an individual incapable of reproduction - Castration and vasectomy are reported techniques in males and ovariohysterectomy, ovariectomy, and tubal ligation are reported techniques in females. Castration and ovariohysterectomy are the most common surgical sterilization methods in the United States.

Cats (Felis catus) live outdoors on every continent except Antarctica and on islands of every size, either as natural or introduced species. Because cats are loosely domesticated, with freedom to roam considered acceptable by cat owners in many countries, it is difficult to classify cat populations as owned, stray, or feral.

The estrous cycle of the bitch consists of proestrus, estrus, diestrus, and anestrus. Proestrus is the first stage of heat, when the bitch first shows swelling of the vulva and exudation of serosanguinous vulvar discharge. Male dogs are interested but she does not allow mounting. Estrus, or standing heat, is characterized by softening of the vulva, a change from serosanguinous to a more tan-colored discharge, and flagging and standing by the bitch.

Many veterinarians graduate with no formal education in feline reproduction; cats were not identified as one of the "major" species in which theriogenology training was required at most schools surveyed. In a study in which practitioners across the United States were asked to rank which procedures in theriogenology they performed most commonly by species, dystocia management and treatment of reproductive tract disease were those listed most commonly for the cat.

Assisted reproductive technologies in small animals are not a 21st century invention; the first artificial insemination in dogs was performed in 1780 and the first description of an oocyte at the microscopic level was that of a canine oocyte, in 1827.

In veterinary medicine, cats are too often treated as strange small breed dogs. To those who work with cats every day, the fallacy of this supposition is obvious.

The normal physiologic and pathologic vaginal conditions.

Many things can impact litter size in the bitch.

Assisted reproductive technologies in small animals are not a 21st century invention; the first artificial insemination in dogs was performed in 1780 and the first description of an oocyte at the microscopic level was that of a canine oocyte, in 1827.

Brucella canis is a non-motile, Gram negative coccobacillus with a host range limited to domestic and wild canids.

Immunocontraception is the use of the body's own immune response to decrease fertility while permitting normal sexual behavior.

While there is some evidence of Mycoplasma species infection associated with vaginitis and pregnancy loss in bitches and poor semen quality in male dogs, studies have demonstrated that Mycoplasma species are as likely to be cultured in samples from healthy animals as they are to be cultured in samples from animals with reproductive tract disease.

Veterinarians cannot identify an ovulation date or a bitch's fertility from vaginal cytology.

Vaginitis, by its simplest definition, is inflammation of the vagina. But vaginitis is not a simple condition.

It is contraindicated. Here's why.

Pediatric dogs and cats dehydrate quickly with inappetence or illness, and assessing the hydration status of these animals is difficult.

Vulvar discharge can be a diagnostic challenge because the inciting problem may arise from the urinary tract, uterus or uterine stump, or vagina.

Little research has been done demonstrating the pharmacokinetics of drugs commonly administered to puppies and kittens or defining the safe and effective doses of these drugs. When considering giving a particular drug, you must think about pediatric physiology and the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of the chosen drug.

Serologic testing for pregnancy in bitches is complicated because of female dogs' normal endocrine physiology.

Oxytocin is a pituitary hormone that causes strong, coordinated contractions of the estrogen-primed uterus during parturition. It may be used therapeutically to relieve nonobstructive dystocia in bitches.