Page 23 - K9News_Issue12_July2020
P. 23
by the Kennel Club while breeding over the age and sit at a four or five (see BCS chart). Studies
of six increases the chances of having smaller by the University of Toulouse show that bitches
litters with increased risk of neonatal mortality. that are overweight or obese at mating are less
It is well known that the larger the breed of dog likely to conceive, but if mating is successful
the more likely they are to have a large litter but, the puppies whelped are up to 15 times more
importantly, litter size dramatically decreases as likely to die within the first two days of life if
the dam gets older whilst the mortality rate of their mother was overweight or obese at mating
the puppies in these smaller litters increases. or mid pregnancy. Excess weight carried at
mating also increased the risk of a low birth
Prospective mothers should also be clear
weight, which can increase the risk of neonatal
of bacterial or viral infections, so a thorough
mortality. Excess fatty tissue during pregnancy
veterinary examination is recommended poses many problems, including reducing lung
to address any health issues, such as skin
capacity and therefore potentially causing
infections or dental disease, prior to mating. A
breathing difficulties, constricting the birth
newborn has a weak immune system and there
canal, making whelping riskier and generally
is a high risk of transmitting bacteria or viruses
decreasing quality of life. Ensuring she starts
from mother to neonate during the whelping off at a healthy weight, with strong musculature
process, which would contribute to the risk of
without excess fat really is vital for a successful
early mortality. It is for this reason – as well as
outcome. Worryingly, Toulouse University found
the increased risk of exposure to pathogens such
that of 1,160 reproductive French Bulldogs, over
as Salmonella and Campylobacter – that it is not
23% of them were overweight or obese. Not only
recommended to feed raw meat to a pregnant does excess fat cause problems with conception
bitch. A 2019 study by Davies et al. found that
but it also interferes with contractions, causing
even commercially prepared raw feeds were
reduced strength and frequency of contractions
commonly contaminated with pathogens such
and thereby contributing to dystocia.
as Salmonella, Campylobacter and Listeria - all
of which can induce spontaneous abortion. Not Other factors which can adversely affect
only does feeding raw meat pose a risk to the pregnancy or whelping are skeletal issues in
pregnancy itself, but also to the breeder since the bitch - which may make pregnancy far more
these bacteria are zoonotic (meaning they can difficult - and hernias, which should be surgically
be passed from dog to human) and can cause fixed prior to mating since they can open up with
serious illness in humans. the pressure from the foetuses.
Importantly, the bitch should not be carrying Vaccinating as close to heat as possible, prior
excess weight. Her body condition score to pregnancy, is recommended because the
should be assessed using the nine-point scale antibodies produced in response to the vaccine
23
K9 NEWS DIGITAL / JULY 2020
