Pyometra: post euthanasia in a bitch
Keywords: canine, pyometra, postmortem, euthanasia.
Figure 1. Pus filled uterus from an adult bitch. Copyright. Dr Holly Munroe (munroeholly@hotmail.com). Size: 978 x 738 px
A ten year old nulliparous intact female boxer x hound presented with a vague history of being in heat "earlier that year". She was restful and alert but thin; in poor body condition. Despite a history of inappetence the bitch had a ravenous appetite on presentation Her abdomen was distended and tender on palpation. There was no vulvar discharge.
Trans abdominal ultrasonography revealed large, echogenic, fluid-filled structures, suggesting pyometra. The owner elected not to treat the bitch but allowed post mortem examination. That examination revealed a grossly enlarged uterus filled with red-tinged purulent fluid. Handling of the uterus allowed un-twisting of segments of the uterus and produced a vulvar discharge consistent with the uterine fluid. Absence of of any vascular embarrassment on the twisted uterus suggested that the twists were postmortem artifacts and the pyometra had indeed been "open".
For additional images of canine pyometra please see these entries in LORI:
