PYOMETRA IN BITCHES: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLINICAL PROGNOSIS AND LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS

Abstract Pyometra is a disease resulting from bacterial interaction with cystic endometrial hyperplasia. The aim of this study was to identify bacteria under aerobic and anaerobic conditions of intrauterine secretion of bitches with pyometra, Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, status of the cervix, peritonitis, serum biochemical measurements and to compare the prognosis of surgically treated bitches. We used 15 bitches with pyometra, undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Blood count and dosage of serum biochemicals were performed preoperatively. Urine was collected by cystocentesis during surgery. After the uterus was removed, intrauterine secretion was aspirated; the samples were grown aerobically and anaerobically, and urine aerobically. The animals were divided into two groups, G1 (hospital discharge until 48 hours) and G2 (discharged after 48 hours or death). Eleven samples of intrauterine content (73.3%) had bacterial growth in aerobic and anaerobic conditions, and Arizona hinshawii was isolated in a sample. Four urine samples (26.6%) had bacterial growth. There were significant differences in status of the cervix, urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase between G1 and G2. Although the etiology diversity found in intrauterine cultures was high, the evaluation of azotemia, status of the cervix, and serum alkaline phosphatase dosage proved to be good prognostics markers in female dogs with pyometra.