Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ultrasound shows twin puppies in two pregnant dogs
By L. Pavan et al.·Published in Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia·2020·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Ultrasonographic diagnosis of twins in two pregnant bitches: case report
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A Pug and a Shih Tzu were both diagnosed with twin pregnancies using ultrasound, which is uncommon in dogs. The ultrasound showed one gestational sac containing two fetuses for each dog. In the Pug's case, the twins were stillborn and smaller than the other puppies, while the Shih Tzu's twins were born alive but also smaller than their littermates. Monitoring these pregnancies with ultrasound can help ensure the health of both the mother and her puppies, as there are risks associated with twin pregnancies in dogs.
People also search for: dog pregnancy ultrasound · Pug twin pregnancy · Shih Tzu smaller puppies · risks of twin pregnancy in dogs
Abstract
ABSTRACT Multiple pregnancies in humans account for only 3% of pregnancies, 97-98% of which are twin pregnancies and the morbimortality is higher in the monochorionic twins when compared to dichorionic ones. The canine species is naturally multiparous, but the diagnosis of monochorionic twin pregnancy is not common. The objective of this report was to describe the ultrasonographic diagnosis of monochorionic twin pregnancies in two bitches [Pug (case 1) and Shih tzu (case 2)]. It was possible to verify the presence of one gestational vesicle containing two fetuses in each female by observing two heads or two bodies within the same placental site. These fetuses presented adequate viability and normal organogenesis. Their development was similar to the other fetuses. In case 1 they were stillborn and smaller than the other five live-born fetuses. The twins in case 2 were born alive, but they also appeared smaller when compared to the littermates. The gestational risks associated with this condition in pregnant bitches are still unknown, however, there are reports of fetal death in monochorionic pregnancies in this species. Therefore, ultrasonographic exam during pregnancy allows an early monochorionic diagnosis and monitoring the fetal viability could bring health benefits to both the female and the littermates.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4162-11331