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1.Pyometra In The Bitch

2.Problems Of Vulva

3.Problems Of The Vagina

4.Tumors Of The Female Reproductive System

5.Problems After Whelping

(1) PYOMETRA IN THE BITCH

What is Pyometra?

Pyometra  simply means pus in the uterus. (pyo means pus and metra meaning

Uterus). Uterus is the organ in the bitch where puppies grow before their birth.

Pyometra is an abnormal condition where pus gets accumulated in the uterus

leading to a number of clinical symptoms in the bitch. Unless the condition of

pyometra is recognised at an early stage it may end up in disastrous conseque-

nces in the bitch and may even lead to death of the animal.

Age at which pyometra is observed? 

Pyometra is usually a disorder which is seen in middle aged bitches of 6-8 years

of age. However pyometra can be seen in bitches as young as 1 year old and the

upper limit can be at any age of the bitch.

What are the symptoms of pyometra?

Symptoms exhibited by the bitch suffering from pyometra depend on the type of the

pyometra. There are two types of pyometra namely open type of pyometra  and

closed type of pyometra.

The type of pyometra again depends on whether the mouth of the uterus which is

called cervix is open or not. When the cervix is open the condition  of pyometra

will be open type and when it is closed it is of closed type.

How pyometra is caused?

In the bitch following mating or even without mating, but roughly two months after

the standing heat period, a hormone called progesterone increases in the blood

of the bitch manifold its level during the heat period. This increased progestrone

brings about much stimulation of the inside of the uterine bed. There are a number

of glands embedded in the uterus which will secrete a liquid called uterine liquid

as a result of progesterone stimulation. There is increased growth of the inner

layers of the uterus. The muscles of the uterus become weak because of suppre-

ssion of muscular activity of the uterus. This enhances the accumulation of

secretions in the uterus. Bacteria from vagina gain entry into the uterus, multiply

fast in the accumulated secretions and ultimately bring about pus formation in the

uterus.

Stump Pyometra:

Owners who are not interested in using their bitches for breeding purposes often get the animals spayed . Spaying is an operation performed by surgeons in which the ovaries of the bitch are removed. Sometimes while removing the ovaries, both

 the ovaries and uterus are removed in which case the operation is called ovario hysterectomy . While removing the uterus a small portion of the body of the uterus is left in the body of the bitch as a stump.If while performing ovario hysterectomy,a small portion of ovaries are left, the bitch continues to come to heat during breeding season. There will be continuous stimulation of uterine stump and utimately if there is infection of the uterus it will lead to stump pyometra. Owners often presume that the seasonal heat  symptoms are normal even in a spayed bitch and do not seek veterinary help until some serious symptoms of pyometra like frequent urination, frequent drinking water,

loss of appetite etc. are noticed. It must be remembered here that even some small portions of ovaries are not left behind while performing spaying operation, still stump pyometra may occur

HOW  PYOMETRA IS  DIAGNOSED  BY  VETERINARIANS?

 1.  By studying the history presented by the owner.

 2. By physical observation and examination of the bitch for the symptoms

      present at time of examination.

3.   By Abdominal x-ray- Fluid dense tubular structure is visualised in the

      abdominal x-ray. Abdominal x-ray also helps to visualise  the presence if

      any of the foetal tissue retained from the previous pregnancy.

4.   By Ultra Sonography: Ultra sound scanning helps in visualising uterine

       size, thickness of the uterine wall, presence of fluid accumulated in the

       uterus etc.

6.    Blood examination: The white blood cell count may be very high, often

       exceeding more than 30,000 per cubic milimetre. There may be evidence

       of anaemia.

7.   By Urine examination: Specific gravity of urine is altered. There may be

      evidence of bloody urine and protein urine.

8.   By examination of deeper part of vagina: This is called vaginoscopy, where

      in pus may be observed around the cervix or in the most deeper part of

      vagina of the bitch. (Anterior most part of the vagina)

What is Treatment for pyometra?

1. Surgical: If the owner is not serious about retaining the breedability of the the

bitch, the veterinary surgeon, performs the operation called ovariohysterectomy

wherein both the ovaries and uterus are removed. If the pyometra is of stump type,

then the surgeon explores by abdominal surgery to locate the presence of any

ovarian tissue and uterine stump and removed them surgicslly.

2. Medical: If the symptoms of pyometra are not severe and if the owner wants

to retain breedability of bitch, the veterinarian may treat the bitch by using a)

higher antibiotics, b) some hormones like estrogens or androgens or oxytocin

c) drugs like quinine or ergot preparations d) of late by using prostaglandins

(still under experimental stage)

Owners responsibility:

Slightest suspicion of pyometra, present the bitch for veterinary examination

and follow his advice.

Some Others Problems In Bitch

(2)Problems Of Vulva

The vulva is the most visible and therefore, readily accessible part of the

female anatomy. The puppy's vulva is normally small and recessed, but

it grows more prominent in the cycling bitch. 

Artificial insemination solved Bess' fertility problem. Conformational

abnormalities such Bess' can also be treated with plastic surgery

particularly if they lead to recurrent infections. Careful observation

of litters produced is important to ensure the defect is incidental

and not hereditary.

Obese bitches commonly suffer from a different problem.

As they gain weight, folds of fat develop over and around

the vulva, creating the perfect environment for an infection.

A vital part of their treatment, needless to say, is weight loss.

(3)Problems Of The Vagina 

Many of the bitch's reproductive problems involve the vagina.

Vaginitis may seem like a common problem, but primary

vaginitis (no underlying cause) is fairly rare. An important

exception is puppy vaginitis.

More commonly, bacterial vaginitis occurs in adult bitches

secondary to another problem. The signs are similar vulvar

discharge and licking but some detective work can uncover

the underlying cause. Usually the bitch has been treated with

systemic antibiotics for another problem, or in a misguided

attempt to 'sterilize' the vagina. The damages the normal

protective flora (yes, some bacteria actually belong in the

vagina) and allows invasive organisms to overgrow.

Sometimes foreign bodies can cause vaginal infection.

In some parts of the country, grass awn migration 

presents a danger for bitches. Their migration into

the vagina produces severe irritation and infection.

Fortunately, the foreign material can usually be identified

and removed with a vaginoscope, a device that lets the

examiner observe the full length of the vagina.

vaginitis is diagnosed by physical examination and

vaginal cytology, which shows white blood cells

engulfing bacteria. A digital vaginal exam is important

to rule out physical abnormalities. In several or

recurrent cases, a vaginosopic exam is indicated.

Ideally, the veterinarian will take a sample for culture

and sentitivity, using a guarded swab to prevent

contamination from external bacteria.

Treatment consists of appropriate systemic antibiotics,

usually prescribed for a two week course. Douching,

or vaginal flushing, is indicated only in rare instances

when large amounts of pus have accumulated.

Vaginal cytology should be rechecked after treatment

to ensure complete resolution.

(4)Tumors Of The Female Reproductive System

Mammary tumors are the most common tumors of the bitch, and are often

hormone dependent. Owners can palpate theirhes' mammary glands to check

for tumors the best prevention is early spaying. (See "keeping a Brood Bitch

Healthy and Happy" for more information.)

Vaginal tumors usually affect older bitches (average age, 11 years). Most are

being and are successfully treated with surgery. The most devastating tumor

is a transitional cell carcinoma, which typically starts in the urethra and spreads

to the vagina. Unfortunately, treatment is rarely possible by the time of diagnosis.

Another type of vaginal tumor is the transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) TVT  is

contagious between dogs. It is spread by transmission of whole cancer cells from

one dog to another by breeding or licking of infected areas. Fortunately, TVT is

quite treatable with a course of chemotherapy, resulting in few side effects.

Complete recovery takes from four to six weeks.

Ovarian cancer, although uncommon, occurs more often in older bitches and in

bitches that have never whelped.

Ovarian cancer can be cured by surgery. Once it has spread, however, the 

prognosis is poor. Chemotherapy may prolong life in some instances. 

The best prevention is to spay bitches when their reproductive careers are finished.

(5)Problems After Whelping

After a normal whelping, it's not unusual to see a green or bloody discharge for a few 

days. If a bloody discharge persists, however, and the bitch appears normal, she may

be suffering from subinvolution of placental sites (SIPS). This occurs when the area

of placental attachment fails to return to normal. The reason is unknown, but it occurs

most commonly in young bitches. Recovery is generally spontaneous, although it may

take until the next heat cycle, and recurrence is not common. Rarely, a bitch will lose

enough blood to warrant transfusions or ovariohysterectomy.

Examination is necessary to ensure that the discharge is not due to a more serious

condition-postpartum metritus. This infection most commonly occurs after a difficult

delivery and results in coloured vulvar discharge, fever and an obviously sick bitch.

Immediate treatment with antibiotics and prostaglandin can preserve fertility.

Eclampsia (milk fever) generally ocurs one to four week postpartum-just about

the time most breeders start to relax. When it happens, however, eclampsia is a

true medical emergency.

Two weeks after the whelped, Magic started having severe muscle spasms and

seizures typical of eclampsia. One look at the Cocker Spaniel's six fat puppies

suggested the cause: low blood calcium levels.

Eclampsia occurs when there's more calcium leaving the bitch's body in her milk

than she can replace from her bones and diet. Toy dams an unbalanced diet and

surprisingly calcium supplementation during pregnancy, because it suppresses

the hormone responsible for mobilizing calcium stores from the body.

Eclampsia may be prevented by feeding the pregnant bitch a high-quality diet

without calcium supplementation, and later supplementing puppies from large

litters or Toy dams.

A slow intravenous injection containing calcium returned Magic to normal.

She was then placed on an oral calcium supplement. The pups were supplemented

and started on solid food at 3 week of age. They were lucky; some pups need

to be hand-raised. And some dams don't make it at all.