Expert: Kaza - 7/27/2009

Question
our 7mo. old female was bred by our male,even though she had a belt on. this was in her 3rd week of heat. the web says this is the best time for her to get pregnant and a local vet said chances were slim to none. which is it and what can we do about the possible pregnancy? we don't want to any chances on losing our female.

Answer
Ok there are two things that can be done , one is to leave alone and risk a pregnancy, that naturally comes with risks. Two is to have vet use a type of morning after care.That too carries risks, I shall list the treatment here :
# Estradiol cypionate is a semisynthetic estrogenic hormone used as a replacement therapy in conditions of inadequate estrogen production.
# It is also used by injection to prevent embryo implantation in dogs and cats if given within 72 hours of mating.
# Estradiol is the most active endogenous estrogen. It is responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics; increases calcium deposition in bones and accelerates epiphyseal closure; has a slight anabolic effect; and increases retention of sodium and water.
# Exogenous estradiol is distributed throughout the body, accumulating in fat.
# In most species, it is metabolized by the liver and the metabolites are excreted in both urine and bile.
There are side effects that can result in pyometra
"Mismate" shot = Estrogen - Estrogen injections terminate pregnancy by altering movement of the fertilized egg(s) into the uterus. For estrogen shots to be effective, they must be given after the dog has released eggs from the ovary (evidenced by concentration of progesterone in blood greater than 4-10 ng/ml) but before she goes out of heat (evidenced by assessment of vaginal cells on a swab). If the shot is given before she ovulates, it will not work. If the shot is given after she has gone out of heat, there is a relatively increased risk of inducing uterine disease (pyometra). We do not administer estrogen mismate shots at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Prostaglandin - Prostaglandins are a class of hormones that are naturally released in dogs at the end of their heat cycle. Prostaglandin F2alpha is the drug most commonly used for pregnancy termination in dogs. It terminates pregnancy by stopping production of the hormone progesterone, which is required for pregnancy maintenance, and by causing uterine contractions, which physically break down the pregnancy. Prostaglandin F2alpha can be used safely throughout pregnancy, allowing us to definitively diagnose the dog as pregnant before any medication need be given. Pregnancy diagnosis should be done one month after the accidental breeding. If the dog is not pregnant at that time, nothing need be done. If she is pregnant, prostaglandin F2alpha can be administered twice daily for four days. At this point of pregnancy, the pups will be reabsorbed, not aborted. Side-effects of the drug are short-lived, and include vomiting and salivation. Prostaglandin F2alpha is the drug preferred for pregnancy termination in dogs at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Teaching Hospital


There are some essential oils that will bring an abortion on but they are a danger to the untrained so I shall not place that info here.

www.eurobichons.com

SUGGEST SPAYING