Betcha didn’t know…
Happy Sex Issue, Gryphons! As always, I’m eager for any excuse to talk ‘animal,’ and this issue is no different. In veterinary medicine, theriogenology is the branch of study concerning animal reproduction. In my current year (Phase 2) we cover this subject quite extensively. Needless to say, I’ve been exposed to some pretty cool facts regarding amorous animals, and what better time than now to share them with you?
Uteri-didn’t know that!
There is a large variety in the uteruses of the ‘common’ animals we know. Animals such as rabbits and marsupials (kangaroos, for example) have duplex uteri — possessing two cervices. Bicornuate uteruses (two horns) can be poorly, moderately, or highly developed, as in the case of horses, cows, and cats, respectively. Primates, like us humans, are quite boring; our simplex uterus has poorly split horns.
What a night-mare!
It can be awfully expensive to try breeding your mare (female horse) with a high profile stallion. Stud fees, which are the costs associated with attempting to impregnate a mare, range from $100 to over $500,000 for a single time!
Holy cow!
After giving birth to a calf, a cow should not be pregnant again until she has undergone involution (recovery) of her uterus. This is sometimes known as the ‘voluntary waiting period,’ and usually lasts about 50 days. In contrast, horses experience something called foal heat, which occurs mere days after giving birth. This makes it possible, though not necessarily recommended, to breed her again quite quickly.
Sick as a dog?
It turns out that dogs can get morning sickness just like humans! If pregnant, some bitches (the appropriate word for a female dog) can experience vomiting and lack of appetite three to four weeks after impregnation. These symptoms usually only last a few days, and some bitches experience the opposite — voracious appetites!
You don’t s(p)ay?
Most people are aware of the importance of spaying and neutering pets to help combat overpopulation. Fewer know of the health effects that are associated with ‘fixing’ cats and dogs, including reduced metabolism, lowered risks of certain forms of cancer, and the elimination of a dangerous condition known as pyometra. Pyometra is a messy and often life-threatening infection of the uterus that can occur in intact females. Anyone suspecting an infection in an animal should have him or her seen by a vet.
And there you have it! Vet school is the perfect environment to remind one that humans are merely a dot on the spectrum of life. Learning about the differences existing in many realms, sex included, is one of the many captivators that drew me to this amazing profession in the first place.
Photo obtained via Pinterest