VET-125 - Unit 1 Ch. 10 Reproductive

Agalactia

The inability of the mother to secrete enough milk to support the young; can result from stress, malnutrition, premature birth, or infection

Anasarca

Accumulation of watery fluid in connective tissue & cavities

Androgen

Male hormone responsible for the development of male sexual characteristics (e.g., testosterone, androsterone)

Ataxia

Impaired ability to coordinate movement

Cryptorchid

Condition in which one or both testicles aren’t descended into the scrotum

Endometritis

Inflammation of the tissue lining the uterus

Galactostasis

Aka milk stasis or milk retention; to stop the milk production of the mother; may result in painful engorgement of the mammary glands

Gynecomastia

Enlargement of breasts caused by hormonal imbalance or hormone therapy

Hyperplasia

Proliferation of cells that results in the gross enlargement of an organ

Myelosuppression

Bone marrow suppression; suppression of cells that carry oxygen & provide immunity

Ovariohysterectomy

Surgical removal of the ovaries & uterus

Pedunculated

Pertaining to a structure with a stalk (e.g., polyps, cysts)

What does the female reproductive system consist of?

2 ovaries, oviducts, uterus, cervix, vagina, & vulva

What is the primary purpose of the female reproductive system?

To provide eggs for fertilization and to protect the developing embryo during pregnancy.

What hormones act on the female reproductive system to prepare it for pregnancy and to maintain pregnancy?

Estrogen and progesterone

What does the male reproductive system consist of?

2 testicles, urethra, prostate, & penis

In males, what other structures are often involved in disease processes?

Scrotum & prepuce

What is the most common sign of juvenile (puppy) vaginitis?

Vulvar discharge

How is juvenile vaginitis normally treated?

Systemic antibiotics & usually resolves after the first estrous cycle; occasionally hormone therapy

What can cause adult vaginitis?

Most commonly anatomical abnormalities (hair, hooded vulva, etc.); or bacterial infection, traumatic injuries, & chemical irritation

Symptoms of pseudopregnancy

Weight gain, mammary gland enlargement, lactation, mucoid vaginal discharge, & mothering behavior; symptoms usually develop 6-12 weeks after estrus & may last 1-3 weeks

What is the only permanent cure for pseudopregnancy in dogs?

Ovariohysterectomy

Pyometra

Infection of the uterus and a life-threatening surgical emergency in the intact female

What animals is pyometra most common?

Middle-aged to older intact female dogs; more rare in cats

What are some clinical signs of pyometra?

Lethargy, fever, decreased appetite/anorexia, dehydration, vaginal discharge, malodor, PU/PD, vomiting, abdominal enlargement, azotemia, & collapse

Azotemia

Toxic condition caused by failure of the kidneys to remove urea from the blood

How is pyometra typically diagnosed?

History, signalment, clinical signs, radiographs, ultrasound (“Mickey Mouse” appearance), leukocytosis, neutrophilia w/ left shift, vaginal cytology, & culture & sensitivity

What is pyometra commonly caused by?

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH), ascending bacterial infection (E. coli), & hormonal influences

Closed vs open pyometra

Closed = no discharge; open = with discharge

What is the typical treatment for pyometra?

Aggressive IV fluid resuscitation, IV antibiotic therapy, supportive care, anti-emetic if needed, & surgical stabilization (spay)

If not spayed, what rate will pyometra reoccur?

26-40% within 1 year

What is the normal gestation period for dogs and cats?

Between 62 and 65 days

When can fetuses be palpated in dogs and cats after breeding?

Dogs = 25-36 days; cats = 21-28 days

What is eclampsia?

Aka puerperal tetany; sudden onset of weakness, tremors, ataxia, collapse, or seizures caused by low calcium levels in a nursing females

Puerperal

Period immediately following birth

Hypocalcemia

Low blood calcium

When does eclampsia most commonly occur?

Within 2-3 weeks after whelping, usually occurring in heavily lactating females

What can be some other symptoms of eclampsia?

Nervousness, salivation, & stiff gait

How is eclampsia treated?

Slow IV administration of 10-20% calcium gluconate

In patients being treated for eclampsia, why should the heart rate/ECG be monitored?

Treatment may result in bradycardia or arrhythmias

What are some signs of dystocia?

In labor longer than 4 hours w/out producing a fetus; a green vaginal discharge develops during parturition; or more than 1 hour elapsed between births

How is dystocia treated?

C-section, manual manipulation of the fetus, or oxytocin to aid contractions

Pregnancy client education

• Prepare whelping box & allow animal to sleep in before whelping

• Adequate nutrition

• Closely supervise during delivery without hovering

• Keep children & other pets away, & keep area quiet

• Rectal temperature usually declines below 100 degrees 24 hours before parturition

• Spay can be performed at same time of c-section

What are some examples of inappropriate maternal behavior?

The mother is restless, not allowing adequate nursing, or actively attacking or killing her young

What are some signs of mastitis?

Mammary discomfort, discolored milk, fever, reluctance to allow nursing, & abscessed glands

Prostate gland

Gland encircling the proximal urethra at the neck of the bladder; produces fluid as a transport and support medium for sperm during ejaculation

What happens to the prostate gland in dogs castrated before maturity?

Normal prostatic growth is totally inhibited

If left intact, what happens to the prostate as the animal matures?

Increases in size & weight

What happens to the prostate when a mature animal is castrated?

It undergoes involution

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Aging change that occurs in intact dogs as early as 2.5 years of age, results in prostate enlargement

What are some signs of benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Asymptomatic, tenesmus, prostate palpates symmetrically (enlarged and non-painful)

What is the effect of castration on benign prostatic hyperplasia?

70% decrease in size within 7-14 days

What are some alternative treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Low dose estrogen therapy or drug therapy (only temporarily helpful)

How is the prostate predisposed to bacterial infection?

Through the urinary system & direction infection

What is the most frequently isolated bacterial organism involved in canine prostatitis?

E. coli

What are some signs of acute prostatitis?

Anorexia, fever, lethargy, stiff gait in the rear limbs, caudal abdominal pain

What are some signs of chronic prostatitis?

May be asymptomatic; history of chronic, periodic UTI

What is the treatment for prostatitis?

Antibiotic for 4 weeks (acute form) or at least 6 weeks (chronic form), possibly castration, or prostatectomy (difficult surgery w/ serious side effects)

Prostatic abscessation

Serious form of bacterial prostatitis where pockets of purulent exudate develop in the gland

What is the treatment of choice for prostatic abscessation?

Surgical drainage

Priapism

Persistent penile erection lasting longer than 4 hours without sexual stimulation

Paraphimosis

Inability of the dog to retract the penis into the preputial sheath

What can cause parphimosis?

Self-mutilation, constriction by a hair ring or foreign objects (rubber band, string), os penis fracture, or trauma

What is a common treatment for paraphimosis?

Applying a hypertonic agent (like table sugar) to help reduce swelling, flushing off the sugar, applying lube, and gently retracting and manipulating the penis back into the sheath

In paraphimosis, what happens the longer the penis remains extruded?

Drying of the tissues, necrosis, & tissue contamination (infection?)

Which dogs are at greatest risk for testicular tumors?

Cryptorchid dogs and those with inguinal hernias

What is the rate of tumor development for testicles retained in the inguinal canal compared to those within the abdomen?

Twice as common

What animal do testicular tumors occur more commonly?

Older intact dogs; uncommon in cats

At what age can a male dog definitively be diagnosed with cryptochidism?

2-6 months

Orchitis

Inflammation of the testicle

What are some symptoms of testicular tumors?

Testicular enlargement, feminization (bilateral alopecia, inguinal hyperpigmentation, gynecomastia), nongenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia, & enlarged lymphnodes

Gynecomastia

Enlargement of the breasts due to hormonal imbalances or hormone therapy

What is the most commonly seen neoplasia involving the penis and the prepuce?

Transmissible Venereal Tumor (TVT); occurs only in dogs & most common in temperate climates w/ large free-roaming dog populations

What is the treatment for TVT?

Chemotherapy; surgery (small, localized lesion)

What are the most common tumors of the canine female genital tract?

Vaginal and vulvar tumors; uncommon in cats

What locations can tumors of the female genital tract include?

Ovarian, uterine, cervical, vaginal, vulvar, & mammary glands

What are some symptoms of vaginal or vulvar tumors?

Pedunculate mass protruding from the vulva, perineal swelling, vaginal discharge, dysuria, or constipation

Outlook of tumors of the female genital tract

Most are benign & have a good prognosis

What is the most common tumor in female dogs?

Mammary gland tumors (50% of all tumors); 3rd most common in cats

What is the contributing factor to mammary gland tumors in female dogs?

Hormone dependent; less so in cats

What is the risk for mammary tumor in canine if spayed before the first estrus?

0.5%

What is the risk for mammary tumor in canine after one cycle?

8.0%

What is the risk for mammary tumor in canine after two or more cycles?

26%

What rate are mammary tumors benign in dogs & cats?

Dogs = 50%; cats = 10-20%

What are some signs of mammary tumors?

A firm nodule is palpable in the mammary chain or gland; surrounding tissue may be involved (swelling, redness); lymph nodes in the region may be enlarged

What is important to remember with mammary gland tumors?

Malignant & benign tumors may occur simultaneously; check thoracic radiographs for metastasis

What is probably the best prognostic indicator of mammary gland tumors?

Tumor size

What is the treatment for mammary tumors?

Surgery +/- chemo

What are the possible benefits of spaying a cat before six months of age?

Decreases risk of malignant mammary gland tumors

Which cat breed has a higher incidence of malignant mammary tumors?

Siamese

What % of canine mammary tumors have what characteristic that may increase recurrence of tumors?

50-60%; have estrogen receptors

What do larger tumors usually result in?

Shorter survival times, especially in cats

Mastitis

Inflammation of the mammary gland

Parturition

The act of giving birth

Dystocia

Difficult or abnormal labor or delivery

Orchiectomy

The surgical removal of the testicles

Pseudopregnancy

Aka false pregnancy; a condition in female animals resembling pregnancy without gestation; due to exaggeration of the normal hormonal changes that occur during the estrous cycle; usually self-limiting

Polydipsia (PD)

Increased thirst

Polyuria (PU)

Increased urination (production)

Anorexia

Complete loss of appetite