La numerosità della cucciolata e la distribuzione dei sessi non influenzano la previsione della data del parto ottenuta con misurazioni ultrasonografiche fetali nella specie canina

Gestational age and parturition date prediction can be determined by ultrasonographic fetal measurements. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of litter size and sex ratio on the accuracy of the prediction derived by the measurements of gestational inner sac (VE), biparietal diameter (BP) and deep portion of the telencephalic vesicle (DPTV). Ultrasound examinations (n. 327) were performed on 91 bitches in two different size categories (≤ 9 kg and 9-40 kg); the prediction of parturition date was derived by equations previously studied in bitches of small and medium size. The results showed that the accuracy (±1 and ±2 days) of the parturition date prediction was not affected by litter size or sex ratio. Thus, ultrasonography is an accurate method for prediction of parturition date and the only variable that has to be taken into account is the size of the bitch.