Elective interruption of pregnancy in dogs (Canis familiaris, Linnaeus, 1758)

Abstract

The problem of the choice of a reliable and safe method of elective interruption of pregnancy in bitches was analysed. The methods are common in the small animal practice in preventing the birth of unwanted litters and are considered an important factor not only for the solution of owners personal problems, but also for this species population control. The favorable aspects and the counter indications of surgical and medicamental interruption of pregnancy were discussed. The surgical interruption is considered as the best choice for animals not intended to be utilized for reproduction. The serious side effects restricted the use of estrogens, tamoxifen citrate and non- hormonal embryotoxic agents. Epostane needs more studies to confirm its efficiency. Although possible, the utilization of analogues of GnRH still has supplying and cost limitations. The specificity of the used agents and their possible side effects limit immunological control of pregnancy. The use of glucocorticoids is limited through the length of the treatment and side effects. Mifepristone and aglepristone, commercially unavailable products, have been indicated as promising drugs in the future due to their efficiency, security and utilization during all stages of pregnancy. Despite the previsible side effects and the necessity of hospitalization for the treated animals, prostaglandins are more and more utilized as abortive drugs. Throughout dopamine agonists, cabergoline presents the best results, especially when associated with the analog of the prostaglandin cloprostenol. It can be used as soon as the diagnosis of pregnancy is possible, with 100% of efficiency and little side effects.