Canine Vaginal Cytology​

Purpose

1. ascertain the physical characteristics of the mucosal surface of the vagina by inspection and palpation.​

2. cytologic specimens from the vagina​

3. culture samples

Vaginal Cytology​ is only used in:

small animals, mostly dogs

indications of a necessary vaginal cytology

1. Vulvar or Vaginal discharge​

2. Vulvar swelling or odor​

3. Infertility​

4. Attraction of males by anestrous or spayed females​

5. Estrous determination​

6. Dysuria

Dysuria

trouble urinating

Complications​ of vaginal cytology

1. Vaginal Laceration​

2. Infection

Grasp which part gently with the thumb and index finger.​

vulva

Introduce what instrument along the dorsal vaginal wall

vaginal speculum

Angle of insertion

slightly upwards

After 1-2 inches, the angle of insertion can be altered to roughly ___ degrees and insertion continued.

45 degrees

Introduce a ___ thru the speculum.​

sterile cotton tipped applicator

How do you collect an adequate vaginal cytology sample

Move tip from side to side or rotate it along the vaginal mucosa to collect adequate sample.​

How should the tip of swab be applied to a microscope slide

roll it

5 common Cells Seen on Vaginal Cytology​

1. RBCs

2. WBCs​

3. Superficial Cells​

4. Intermediate Cells​

5. Parabasal Cells

Non-cornified cells

1. Intermediate Cells​

2. Parabasal Cells

cornified cells

1. superficial cells

2. anuclear cells

smallest epithelial cells seen on a typical vaginal smear. ​

Parabasal Cells​

Parabasal Cells​ shape

round, or nearly round, uniform

Parabasal Cells​ nucleus

big nucleus, small cytoplasm ratio

Intermediate Cells​ is bigger or smaller than parabasal cells

bigger, twice the size

As the intermediate cells increase, the cytoplasm becomes more:

irregular, folded, and angular

nearly round or oval shape with large, prominent nuclei

Small intermediates

polygonal shape with a small nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio ​

Large intermediates

largest cells seen on a vaginal smear. ​

Superficial Cells ​

Superficial Cells ​shape

polygonal in shape and distinctly flat, sometimes having the appearance of being rolled up

Superficial Cells types of nuclei

absent or pyknotic

a cell nucleus that is irreversibly condensed, shrunken, and darkly stained (hyperchromatic), usually indicating cell death (apoptosis or necrosis) or maturation

pyknotic

Superficial cells without nuclei are often referred to as being:

fully cornified

usually observed in large numbers during proestrus

Erythrocytes

often abundant in smears taken during early diestrus, and are not uncommon at other stages,

neutrophils

term given to non- descript epithelial cells containing numerous vacuoles

foam cells

foam cells are typically seen on smears prepared during:

anestrus

often seen on vaginal smears in huge numbers, covering cells and spilling onto the background

bacteria

Contraction of nuclear contents to a deep staining irregular mass, sign of cell death

Pyknotic Cells

Four Phases of the Canine Estrous Cycle:​

1. Proestrus

2. Estrus

3. Diestrus

4. Anestrus

Proestrus & estrus length

9-10 Days

Diestrus length

57-58 Days

Anestrus length

2-5 Months

the period of sexual quiescence or inactivity between two breeding cycles (estrus) in female mammals

anestrus

anestrus characteristics

No vulvar swelling and does not attract males.

what main types of cells would you see on a anestrus smear

non-cornified squamous epithelial cells

examples of cells would you see on a anestrus smear

Intermediate and parabasal

what other types of cells could you see on a anestrus smear

some neutrophils

what cells should anestrus not have

erythrocytes

first, preparatory phase of the mammalian estrous cycle that immediately precedes estrus (heat)

Proestrus

Proestrus characteristics

Vulva appears swollen and serosanguineous discharge is present

what hormone levels rise during proestrus that causes vaginal epithelial cells to cornify

estrogen

what main types of cells would you see on a proestrus smear

gradual shift from intermediate and parabasal cells to superficial cells. ​

what other types of cells would you see on a proestrus smear

1. many RBCs

2. neutrophils

3. many bacteria

sexual receptivity and fertility in female mammals, commonly known as being "in heat”

Estrus​

How many times a year do female dogs have their estrus cycle

twice a year

what hormone lvl peaks during estrus

Luteinizing Hormone

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

hormone produced by the pituitary gland that regulates reproductive functions, including ovulation in female mammals

what hormone lvl begins to rise during estrus

progesterone

what occurs about two days after the LH peak

ovulation

K-9 ovulation tests measure:

Progesterone levels

Progesterone levels from 0.1ng/mL to over 2.0ng/mL can indicate:

estrus and/or pregnancy

Estrus releases what that still require 2-3 days to mature.​

immature oocytes

estrus characteristics

Vulva swelling decreases and the discharge changes from red to straw colored.

what main types of cells would you see on an estrus smear

fully cornified superficial cells

what other types of cells would you see on an estrus smear

• No white blood cells present

• red blood cells still present

stage of cycle after estrus where body is preparing for pregnancy, or leading to a "false pregnancy" (pseudopregnancy) if not bred

Diestrus

what can be very accurately determined from the day of diestrus

whelping

how many days from diestrus does whelping usually happen

57 days (or 62-65 days from breeding)

what hormone levels are high during diestrus

progesterone

Hard to tell the difference between which 2 stages of the estrus cycle

diestrus and anestrus.​

The onset of diestrus is marked by a precipitous decline in the number of:

superficial cells

what types of cells will you see reappear on diestrus

intermediate and parabasal cells

Vaginal Culture​ purposes

1. ensure female mammal is free of any transmissible harmful bacteria

2. vaginitis

3. discharge

4. post abortion

how can you diagnose pregnancy

1. palpation

2. ultrasound

3. radiology

4. assay test

when can you palpate for pregnanct

A window at day 21 for about a week

when can you use an ultrasound for pregnancy

Can be done at day 20 and maybe earlier.​

when can you use radiologt for pregnancy

Can be used after day 45.​

what hormone does an asasy test measure

relaxin levels

relaxin

a hormone produced by the placenta after embryo implantation

You are looking at a canine vaginal smear through a microscope. ​

At what stage of the estrous cycle is this dog?

Estrus

Vaginal cytology does not always predict the exact day of ovulation, so in-house assay tests are available to test:

LH levels or progesterone levels.