Canine Pyometra: Clinico-diagnostic, Microbial, Gross and Histopathological Evaluation

Abstract

The study aimed to categorize clinical signs, diagnostic efficacy of different techniques, and microbiological and pathological findings of canine pyometra. The study covered total 18 bitches; ten with pyometra and eight healthy ones presented for spaying. All the bitches with pyometra were found lethargic, dull, and depressed. The general condition of bitches with closed pyometra (n=2) was poor, whereas it was fair in cases of open pyometra (n=8). The mean rectal temperature of bitches with pyometra was 102.67±0.18 ºF. Vomition, polyuria, polydipsia, and diarrhea were recorded in 40, 40, 60 and 10 % pyometra cases, respectively. The age of affected bitches was 4 to 12 years with a mean of 8.8±0.71 years. The prevalence of pyometra was higher in nulliparous animals (5 cases) followed by multiparous (4 cases) and primiparous (1 case) bitches. The abdominal palpation was clear for pyometra in only 20% of cases. Radiography was clear in 40% of cases, whereas ultrasonography was clear and confirmatory in 100 % of cases. Uterine content of all ten cases of pyometra was positive for bacterial isolates; mostly Gram-negative bacilli (50%) followed by gram-positive cocci (30%) and mixed isolates (20%) as against sterile contents of healthy bitches. Amoxycillin was the most effective antibiotic (60.00 %) against bacterial isolates followed by amikacin and gentamicin (50.00 % each). Grossly, the mean weight of intact reproductive organs of bitches with pyometra was 987.5±317.61 g as against 77.50±23.83 g in normal healthy bitches. The mean length of right and left uterine horns was almost double than in healthy bitches, and it varied from 10 to 53 cm in pyometra cases. The colour of uterine content was found variable in cases of pyometra from greyish to dark brownish with watery to thick consistency. There were presence of CLs, cysts or follicles on either of the ovaries in majority of bitches with pyometra. The histopathological changes of uterine tissues after ovario-hysterectomy indicated classical pyometra.