Pregnancy in pets can be diagnosed through various methods, with ultrasound being a common and reliable option.
Here's a breakdown of how pregnancy is diagnosed in pets:
-
Ultrasound: Ultrasound is a valuable tool for confirming pregnancy and assessing fetal health.
- Timing: It is best performed 21-30 days after breeding.
- Accuracy: Performing an ultrasound before 21 days can result in false negatives.
- Benefits: It can differentiate between pregnancy and other conditions like pyometra.
- Fetal viability: Ultrasound can determine fetal viability by visualizing the fetal heart.
| Diagnostic Method | Timing | Benefits | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound | Best at 21-30 days after breeding | Distinguishes pregnancy from pyometra, assesses fetal viability (heartbeat) | False negatives possible if done too early (before 21 days) |
