Reproductive Concerns in Small Animals

Reproductive Concerns inReproductive Concerns in
Small AnimalsSmall Animals
If only they were
all neutered!

IWantToBecomeAVet.com
LadyLady
History:
Depression, lethargy
Anorexia
PU/PD
Vomiting
Vaginal discharge
Last season 8 weeks ago, which was normal
7 yo FE Wheaton Terrier

Physical ExaminationPhysical Examination
Mucopurulent vaginal discharge
Enlarged uterus on abdominal palpation
Temperature 39.8 C
Depressed mentation

Vaginal DischargeVaginal Discharge
White Red
Clear
Mucoid
Clear
Watery
Greeny
Black
Brown/R
ed->black
Yellow
Vaginitis
Early
meteostrous
Open pyometra
Cystits
Proestrous
Oestrus
Persistent
ovarian follicle
Ovarian Tumour
(oestrogen
secreting
Vaginal trauma
Vaginal FB
Cystitis Urethra
neoplasia
Coagulopathy
Placental
separation
Sub inolutions
post-partum
Vasuclar
malformation
Normal
Amniotic/allant
oic fluid
Normal
parturition
Dystocia
Metritis Incontinence
*
*

DDxDDx
PU/PD- Diabetes Mellitus, HAC, renal Dz
Pregnancy
Severe vaginal Dz
Mucometra

DiagnosticsDiagnostics
CBC and Biochemistry:
Neutrophillia with left shift
Mild azotaemia
Acidosis
Rx:
Mild-moderately enlarged uterus
intestine displaced cranially
distended tubular structure in
caudal ventral abdomen

PyometraPyometra
Cystic endometrial hyperplasia
Progesterone
Open cervix
Bacterial
infection
E. Coli, Staphs, and Streps most
common pathogens
Relaxing effect on uterus
Suppresses immunity of Reproductive tract
Ascending infection as cervix
open during dioestrus and
meteoestrus
Repeated exposure of the endometrium to high concentrations of
oestrogen followed by high concentrations of progesterone without
pregnancy

TreatmentTreatment
Surgical intervention as were not planning to breed
from lady:
Pre-surgical stabilisation with IVFT
ovariohysterectomy

Lets remind ourselvesLets remind ourselves
how to do a spay ...how to do a spay ...
againagain

Indications for anIndications for an
ovariohysterectomyovariohysterectomy
•Vastly decreased chance for development of mammary cancer
•spayed before the first oestrus - risk is less than 1% compared to intact
bitches
•before the 2nd oestrus - risk is 8%
•before the 3rd oestrus – risk is 26%
•Eliminates chance of developing a pyometra or uterine infection
•Eradicates unwanted oestrus behaviour and associated bleeding
•Eliminates unwanted pregnancies and risks of dystocia

TimingTiming
Mid-season is preferred as oestrogen stimulates
swelling and increased vascularity of the uterus lining
during oestrus.
Average recommended age for neutering bitches is 6.5
months.
Very little agreement as to whether bitches should be
allowed to have a season first.
Possible complication of urinary incontinence is
controversial – studies have found for and against.

Bitch OvariohysterectomyBitch Ovariohysterectomy
= surgical removal of ovaries and uterus
Dog placed in dorsal recumbency
Midline incision, ~4-8 cm, on the linea alba caudal to
the umbilicus in the cranial third of the caudal
abdomen
While grasping the linea alba and elevating it, make
a stab incision into the abdominal cavity; extend it
with Mayo scissors
Use a spay hook, if appropriate, with the hook slid
against the abdominal wall caudal to the kidney to
exteriorize the uterine horn

Locate uterus by pushing intestines cranially and bladder
caudally
Locate ovaries by following uterine horns
Break down the suspensory ligament to release the
ovaries and exteriorize the ovaries
Create a window through
the mesovarium (X)

Three clamp technique for hemostasis:
Place 3 forceps across the ovarian pedicle proximal to the ovary
Remove the most proximal
clamp which will leave a crush
mark
Ligate into the crush using
a synthetic absorbable material
(ie. Vicryl) using:
One/two instrument tie
Hand tie
Tight ligature!
• Transect the ovarian pedicle distal to the clamp across the ovarian pedicle
• Leave ~0.5cm between ligature and cut edge
Look for any haemorrhage when removing the clamp
• Repeat for next clamp
• Repeat for other ovary

Broad ligament ligation:
Separate the broad ligament from
the uterine horn
Clamp across the broad ligament
and transect
Ligate using synthetic absorbable
material (ie. Vicryl) if patient in estrus, pregnant, or vascular
Cervical ligature:
Repeat three clamp technique
Transfixing ligature commonly
placed
• Can also use:
Stick ties
Encircling

Closure:
Done in 3 layers:
Fascia/linea alba: simple continuous pattern
(PDS)
Subcutaneous tissue: simple continuous pattern
(Monocryl)
Skin: often intradermal (Monocryl)

WHAT TO CHECK FOR
AND HOW
Left
Ovarian
Pedicle
Right
Ovarian
Pedicle
Descendin
g colon
elevated
Descending
duodenum
elevated
Dorsal to
bladder
Cervical
Stump
Bleeding, oozing, clotting, and/or
loose ligatures

Back to Lady andBack to Lady and
her pyometraher pyometra

Medical ManagementMedical Management
ALL pyometra cases will receive empirical Abi (while
waiting for culture and sensitivity)
Ampicillin or enrofloxacin
Open pyometra can be treated without Sx:
Prostaglandin F2alpha-
2-7 days, until uterus appears normal size on
palpation, Rx, or US
May need ovariohysterectomy if Tx fails

PrognosisPrognosis
Excellent but none of these
Re-evaluate in 2-4 weeks
Medical management only:
After medical therapy, the prognosis for initial resolution of the pyometra is good if the cervix is open,
but guarded to poor if closed.
Of those animals that respond, as many as 90% of bitches and 70% of queens with open-cervix
pyometra may be fertile.
Recurrence is likely; of bitches treated medically for pyometra, 70% had recurrence within 2 yr.
Therefore, the animal should be bred on the next and each subsequent cycle until the desired number
of puppies or kittens has been produced, and then spayed.

Reproductive Concerns in Small Animals

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