Radiographic and ultrasonographic findings in a dog with emphysematous pyometra

Abstract

BackgroundEmphysematous pyometra is a rare canine disease characterized by gas-forming bacteria infecting the uterus and causing an accumulation of both gas and infectious exudate in the uterine lumen. While radiological features of emphysematous pyometra have been previously described in dogs, the ultrasonographic appearance has not been reported.Case presentationA 7-year-old intact female Labrador Retriever was presented because of a 1 day history of vomiting, anorexia, mild polyuria/polydipsia and signs of fatigue. On physical examination the dog had a swollen vulva with a sparse amount of yellow discharge. Lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs showed a dilated predominantly gas-filled tubular structure located in the mid and cranial abdomen traversing from left to right and ending dorsally at the level of the 12th thoracic vertebra. A small intestinal ileus was initially suspected. Following the radiographic examination, abdominal ultrasound was performed. In the left mid and caudal abdomen there were two thin-walled gas-containing tubular structures. One had the typical layered appearance of an intestinal wall and represented the descending colon. The second structure had a similar thickness but homogenously hypoechoic wall and contained gas and echogenic fluid in the lumen. By use of several positional changes of the dog aiming to alter the location of the intraluminal gas, the second structure was traced to the right ovary cranially and the uterine body caudally, confirming that the structure was the right uterine horn. A final diagnosis of emphysematous pyometra was made.ConclusionUltrasound can be used as a non-invasive diagnostic method to differentiate between small intestinal ileus and emphysematous pyometra.

Association of Lower Extremity Vascular Disease, Coronary Artery, and Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

“…Patients with diabetes mellitus usually are unaware of the fact that the early progress of lower extremity vascular disease is due to the loss of pain and the decreasing frequency of intermittent claudication, until the symptoms get worsen and the disease turns into an ulcer or gangrene, which usually occurs at the last stage of the lower extremity vascular disease and eventually leads to amputation [ 4 , 5 ]. Therefore, the early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes patients requires the index of early lower extremity vascular disease, which helps in avoiding amputation and in improving the living quality of patients [ 6 , 7 ]. Color Doppler ultrasonography is a simple, convenient and feasible noninvasive technology, which can accurately locate and observe the characteristics of vascular diseases and the formation of lower limb plaques in patients with diabetes mellitus [ 8 ].…”

Predictive markers and risk factors in canine and feline pyometra under Egyptian conditions

“…E. coli endotoxins also block receptors of antidiuretic hormone on the collecting ducts, leading to obligatory polyuria with compensatory polydipsia (Macintire, 1994). Ultrasonography is proved as a helpful non-invasive mean in identifying uterine enlargement and differentiating pyometra from a normal pregnancy (Mattei et al, 2018). The uterus of bitches and queens suffered from pyometra was characterized by an accumulation of anechoic to hyperechoic fluid with significant increase in the value of UWD, UWT, LMGV and WMGV.…”

“…superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase enzyme activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured colorimetrically using commercial kits (SD 25…”

Tratamento conservador para piometra aberta com aglepristone em matriz reprodutiva premiada da raça Buldogue Francês

“…De fato, a radiologia e a ultrassonografia são rotineiramente aplicadas e garantem um diagnóstico conclusivo. Além disso, a ultrassonografia é considerada uma ferramenta poderosa, pois permite mensurar o tamanho uterino e descartar outros diagnósticos diferenciais (Goudie, 2013;Mattei et al, 2018).…”