Reproductive and genetic diseases

Cervic/o

Narrowing, cervix

Colp/o

Vagina

Episi/o

Vulva

Galact/o

Milk

Lact/o

Milk

Gravid/o

Pregnancy

Mamm/o or mast/o

Mammary gland

Metr/o

Uterus

Omphal/o

Umbelicus

Orchid/o

Testicle

Ovari/o

Ovary

Phall/o or priap/o

Penis

Prostat/o

Prostate

Salping/o

Oviduct

Breech presentation

Abnormal posterior-first position of fetus at birth

Ectopic pregnancy

Implantation of the embryo at an abnormal site (outside of the uterus)

Paraphimosis

Narrowing of the prepuce, swelling the glans and preventing retraction

Cesarean section

C-section; delivery of offspring through an incision in the abdominal and uterine walls

Pseudocyesis

Pseudopregnancy; false pregnancy

Colostrum

First milk-like substance produced by the female after parturition; it is thick, yellow and high in protein and antibodies

Puppy vaginitis

Common in females before first heat

Clinical signs: Yellowish vulvar discharge

Treatment: Keep them clean, usually resolves after estrous cycle without treatment.

± Antibiotics

Adult vaginitis

Caused by anatomic abnormalities, bacterial infection, traumatic injuries, or chemical irritation, canine herpesvirus

Pseudopregnancy

Occurs 6 to 12 weeks after estrus, may last 1 to 3 weeks.

Pseudopregnancy. Clinical signs

• Weight gain

• Mammary gland enlargement and lactation

• May carry around stuffed toys and demonstrate increased mothering behavior

Pseudopregnancy. Treatment

• Signs are usually self-limiting

• Remove any stuffed toys that are treated like puppies

Eclampsia

Emergency condition from low blood calcium levels in nursing dogs.

Seen in small & medium breeds, heavily lactating females.

Occurs within 2 to 3 weeks after whelping.

Eclampsia. Clinical signs

• Nervousness/tremors/ataxia/ seizures

• Salivation

• Stiff gait

Eclampsia. Diagnosis

• History and clinical signs

• Hypocalcemia

Eclampsia. Treatment

• Slow IV administration of calcium gluconate

• Oral calcium supplements may be started after clinical signs regress.

• Prevent with good prenatal nutrition and calcium supplementation

Pyometra

Accumulation of pus in the uterus from a bacterial infection.

Occurs in middle-aged or older intact female dogs and cats.

Within 60 days of their last estrous cycle.

Open pyometra: When the cervix is open.

Closed pyometra: When the cervix is closed (more life threatening)

Pyometra. Clinical signs

• Vulvar discharge (open pyometra)

• Abdominal enlargement

• Vomiting

• Lethargy

• PU/PD

• Dehydration/azotemia

• Febrile

Pyometra. Diagnosis

• Abdominal radiographs or ultrasound

• CBC

• Vaginal cytology

Pyometra. Treatment

• Ovariohysterectomy

• Dehydration and azotemia should be corrected before surgery

• Broad-spectrum antibiotics

• If the animal is used for breeding owners may elect medical treatment, which includes Prostaglandin (Lutylase)

Dystocia

Difficulting giving birth.

Can be due to:

• Large fetuses

• Abnormal positioning

• Narrow birth canal

• Uterine inertia

Dystocia. Clinical signs

• Labor lasting more than 4 hours without producing a fetus

• Green vaginal discharge develops during parturition

• More than 1 hour has elapsed between births

Dystocia. Diagnosis

• Physical examination with digital palpation of vagina

• Radiography to evaluate fetal position, size, and number

• Ultrasonography to evaluate fetal viability and distress

Dystocia. Treatment

• Manual manipulation

• Fluids and dextrose, ± oxytocin

• If medical treatment fails to correct the situation, a c section is recommended

Lactation disorders

• Mastitis: A septic inflammation of the mammary gland- most common.

• Agalactia: Lack of milk production.

• Galactostasis: Milk stasis

Lactation disorders. Clinical signs

• Mammary discomfort/ reluctance to nurse

• Firm, hard, red swelling in glands

• Discolored milk

• Fever

Lactation disorders. Diagnosis

• CBC

• Milk cytology and culture and sensitivity

Lactation disorders. Treatment

• Broad spectrum antibiotics

• Administer warm compresses

• For severe cases- Hospitalization on IV fluids and surgical debridement

Prostatitis and prostate abscess

The prostate is predisposed to bacterial infections through the urinary system as well as direct infection of the gland itself

Prostatitis and prostate abscess. Clinical signs

• Anorexia/ Fever/ lethargy

• Stiff gait in the rear limbs

• Caudal abdominal pain

• Urethral discharge

Prostatitis and prostate abscess. Diagnosis

• CBC and serum chemistries

• Leukocytosis or normal WBC count

• Liver enzymes may be elevated

• ±hypoglycemia and hypokalemia

• Prostatic aspiration

Prostatitis and prostate abscess. Treatment

• Surgical drainage

• Castration

• Antibiotic therapy

Priapism and paraphimosis

• Priapism: persistent abnormal erection, accompanied by pain and tenderness

• Paraphimosis: Inability of the dog to retract the penis into the preputial sheath

Priapism and paraphimosis. Treatment

• Sedation

• Immersing the tissue into cold hypertonic glucose solution

• Gentle cleaning

Neoplasia of the testicles

• Approximately 5% to 15% of all tumors seen in male dogs are testicular tumors

• Cryptorchid dogs and those with inguinal hernias are at the greatest risk for testicular tumors

• Usually seen in older, intact male dogs

• Commonly an accidental finding on PE.

Neoplasia of the testicles. Treatment

• Castration

Penile, preputial and scrotal tumors

• Most commonly seen neoplasia is the transmissible venereal tumor.

• Occurs in temperate climates and in areas that have large free-roaming dog populations.

• Spread during sexual contact and can be transmitted through licking and sniffing

Penile, preputial and scrotal tumors. Clinical signs

• Tumors on the penis, prepuce or scrotum

• Cauliflower-like masses

• Lesions may also be seen on the face and rectum

Transmissible Venereal Tumor (TVT). Diagnosis

• Cytology

Transmissible Venereal Tumor (TVT). Treatment

• TVTs are immunogenic and may spontaneously regress with adequate tumor stimulation

• Can also be surgically removed

• Chemotherapy

Tumors on female genital tract

• Include ovarian tumors, uterine and cervical tumors, vaginal and vulval neoplasia, and tumors of the mammary glands

• Vaginal and vulvar tumors are the most common tumors of the female genital tract in dogs

Tumors on female genital tract. Clinical signs

• A pedunculated mass protruding from the vulva may be seen

• Perineal swelling, vaginal discharge, dysuria, or constipation may be seen

Tumors on female genital tract. Treatment

• Surgical removal with ovariohysterectomy prevents recurrence

Tumors of the mammary gland

• Most common tumors on female dogs

• The risk of mammary tumor is 0.5% for bitches spayed before their first estrus, 8% for those spayed after one estrous cycle, and 26% for bitches spayed after two or more cycles.

• Approximately 50% of canine mammary tumors are benign

• In cats, only 10% to 20% are benign

Tumors of the mammary gland. Clinical signs

• A firm nodule is palpable in the mammary chain or gland.

• Lymph nodes in the region may be enlarged

• Physical examination

• CBC, serum chemistries, and thoracic radiographs

Tumors of the mammary gland. Treatment

• Surgical removal

Von Willebrand’s disease(vWD)

• Most common bleeding disorder in dogs

• Breed disposition: Dobermans, German Shepherds, poodles, Retrievers, Shelties

Von Willebrand’s disease(vWD). Clinical signs

• Easy bruising in breeds predisposed to the disease

• Prolonged bleeding during estrus

• Prolonged bleeding from venipucture

Von Willebrand’s disease(vWD). Diagnosis

• Buccal mucosal bleeding time

• vWF level

Von Willebrand’s disease(vWD). Treatment

• If severe hemorrhage, may need fresh frozen plasma or whole fresh blood transfusion and/ or DDAVP → vWF to increase

Polycystic Kidney disease (PCKD)

• Small, fluid-filled sacs develop in the kidney

• Breed predilection: Mostly Persians, Himalayans and British shorthairs

• Autosomal dominant trait

Polycystic Kidney disease (PCKD). Diagnosis

• Genetic testing

• Abdominal ultrasound

Polycystic Kidney disease (PCKD). Treatment

Treat for kidney failure

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

• Retina degenerates and causes impaired vision, often blindness.

• Breed predilection: toys, golden retrievers, Irish Setters, Cocker Spaniels, Collies, Samoyed, Gordon Setters, and Norwegian Elkhounds

• Autosomal recessive trait

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Clinical signs

• Defective night vision

• Slowly progressive loss of day vision

• Cataract formation

Reproductive pharmacology

• Androgenic Steroids

• Synthetic estrogens

• Prostaglandins

• Oxytocin

Androgenic steroids

• Testosterone- has both Androgenic and anabolic effects.

• Boldenone (Equipoise)- used in horses to improve weight, haircoat, and general physical condition

Synthetic Estrogens

• Estriol

Adverse effects: Anorexia, vomiting, and estrogenic effects such as swollen vulva, mammary hyperplasia, and behavioral changes

Progesterone drugs

• Altrenogest

• Melengestrol acetate (MGA)

These drugs should not be handled by pregnant women

Prostaglandins

Have “Prost” in their name

• Dinoprost tromethamine (Lutalyse).

Used to treat pyometra or induce abortion

Used to induce parturition in sows

Used for estrus synchronization in mares and cows

Oxytocin

• Used to enhance uterine contractions during parturition

• Used to expel the placenta and uterine debris after C section

• Used to induce milk letdown