What is metritis?
Metritis refers to an inflammation of the endometrium, the mucous membrane that lines the cavity of the dog's uterus.
Metritis is sometimes likened to a pyometra, which refers to an accumulation of pus in the uterus.
What causes metritis in bitches?
Metritis is of infectious origin. They are caused by bacteria and/or viruses that come up naturally, through the bitch's cervix.
Their occurrence is favored by:
- an immune deficiency of the dog, when the latter suffers from a metabolic disease such as diabetes mellitus for example,
- repeated administration of drugs containing progestins or corticosteroids,
- a birth or an abortion.
Metritis can also be a complication of glandulocystic hyperplasia of the uterus (HGK) which is characterized by excessive growth of the uterine lining associated with the formation of cysts throughout its wall .
Metritis in female dogs: symptoms
Metritis can be chronic in bitches and go relatively unnoticed. This is also called endometritis. The chronic condition is then a cause of infertility due to lack of implantation in the female dog, early termination of pregnancy and spontaneous abortions. It can give rise to discrete purulent vulvar discharge but this is not systematic.
In case of acute metritis, the symptoms are much more marked and obvious. The female dog who is affected then generally presents:
- fever,
- lack of appetite,
- diarrhea and vomiting,
- an apathy,
- purulent vulvar discharge, brown-red in color and nauseous.
Acute metritis can be complicated by dehydration, shock, kidney failure, uterine gangrene, peritonitis by uterine rupture or even sepsis. These serious complications are life-threatening for the animal.
In bitches that have given birth, acute metritis usually occurs during the first week after the puppies are born. In addition to the symptoms mentioned, the female dog generally shows a lack of interest in her young, agalactia (lack of milk) or even mastitis (breast inflammation).Puppies can also be affected by the absorption of milk contaminated by the germs responsible for the infection of their mother (toxic milk syndrome).
Diagnosis of metritis in female dogs
In cases of chronic metritis in the bitch, the diagnosis generally requires the use of endometrial cytology, histology from a biopsy of the uterus and/or vaginal bacteriological analysis.
Acute metritis can be diagnosed more easily during a clinical examination of the bitch by the veterinarian, although additional examinations such as a pap smear, X-ray or ultrasound may be necessary.
The treatment of metritis in female dogs
In the case of chronic metritis, treatment may include the administration of systemic broad-spectrum antibiotics and prostaglandins.
If the metritis is acute, the treatment is also based on the administration of antibiotics and if necessary, by the administration of drugs that will stimulate the emptying of the uterus such as oxytocin. Depending on the female dog's condition at the time of her treatment, the veterinarian may consider placing her on a drip.
If the infection is severe or the medical treatment is ineffective, the veterinarian may also resort to an ovariohysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries of the dog).
The dog has every chance of recovering well if she is taken care of early. On the other hand, the prognosis is worse in the event of associated complications.
If the female dog has just given birth, then her puppies will need to be separated from her and bottle-fed.