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with the object of evolving a suitable and reliable
method of early pregnancy diagnosis in bitch, a study was
undertaken to investigate the efficacy of transabdominal
palpation and~aematological profile during various stages of
pregnancy in bitches.
Seventeen apparently normal healthy Alsatian and 7
Pomeranian bitches aged 1~ to 6 years selected at random



formed the material for the study.


These bitches were



subjected to abdominal palpation between 21 and 25, 30 and 35
and 45 and 50 days of mating. Blood samples were collected
for the estimation of total serum protein, albumin, globulin,
total erythrocyte and leucocyte count, differential leucocyte
count, PCV, ESR and Hb concentraiion on the respective days.
In addition, on the 45th and 50th day bitches were subjected
to radiography. Body weights and diameter of the abdomen of
bi tches were recorded on all days of examination. Whelping of
bitches confirmed pregnant were followed up for recording
litter size, sex and weight of the pups.
The data obtained were tabulated. Signs of physical and
behavioural changes were not noticeable before 21 to 25 days
,
of gestation but apparent at 30 to 35 days which continued
upto 45 to 50 days. The mean body weights and diameter of the

abdomen were significantly higher (P non-pregnant bitches.
The earliest positive result obtained by palpation was 21
days after mating. Accuracy of palpation in Alsatian and
Pomeranian bitches at 21 to 25 days was 66.7 per cent and 100
per cent respectively while at 30 to 35 days and 45 to 50 days
it was 88.9 per cent and 100 per cent respectively.
The mean total serum protein and globulin were higher in
pregnant than that in non-pregnant bitches, however the mean
serum albumin content did not differ. The mean erythrocyte
count, PCV values and haemoglobin content were lower in
pregnant when compared to that in non-pregnant bitches. The
mean leucocyte count and ESR values in pregnant were higher
than that in non-pregnant bitches. The percentage of
neutrophil was slightly higher in non-pregnant than that in
pregnant bitches. In contrast, the mean lymphocyte count was
higher in pregnant than that in non-pregnant bitches.
However, the mean monocyte and eosinophil count between
pregnant and non-pregnant bitches did not differ.
Radiographs obtained between 45 to 46 days after mating
revealed faint fetal skeletal components in 4 bitches while 5
bitches when radiographed between 48 to 50 days showed a
distinct fetal vertebrae and skull.



The mean gestation length, body weights after whelping,
litter size and birth weight of pups in Alsatian and
Pomeranian were 62.43 days and 59.5 days, 28.929 ± 1.631 kgs
and 9.25 ± 0.25 kgs, 4.429 ± 0.649 and 5 ± 1 and 523.871 ±
28.203 gms and 287 ± 7.311 gms respectively.
To sum up, it could be said that diagnosis of pregnancy
in bitches
can be done by abdominal palpation and
haematological studies after 4 weeks of mating.
However,
radiography can be recommended as an accurate method of
pregnancy diagnosis in the last trimester. It, could, further
be said that each method has its own advantages and limitation
at various stages of gestation and hence .i nf o rmi.nq these
variables to the client is essential, until further studies
with large number of animals in t'nis line are undertaken.