Pyometra and complete vaginal adhesion in a miniature horse.
Abstract: A 4-year-old miniature horse experienced intermittent episodes of pyrexia, lethargy, and purulent vaginal discharge following dsytocia. Vaginal endoscopy and transrectal ultrasonography revealed a blind-ending vaginal cavity and distended uterus. Surgical treatment was declined and the mare was euthanized. Post-mortem examination confirmed the diagnosis of pyometra and vaginal adhesions. Un cheval miniature âgé de 4 ans a vécu des épisodes intermittents de pyréxie, de léthargie et de pertes vaginales purulentes après la dystocie. Une endoscopie vaginale et une échographie transrectale ont révélé une cavité à terminaison aveugle et un utérus distendu. Le traitement chirurgical a été refusé et la jument a été euthanasiée. La nécropsie a confirmé le diagnostic de pyomètre et d’adhérences vaginales. (Traduit par Isabelle Vallières)
Publication Date: 2009-12-02 PubMed ID: 19949560PubMed Central: PMC2726027
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Summary
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The study discusses the occurrence of a condition known as pyometra, along with complete vaginal adhesions, in a 4-year-old miniature horse, which ultimately had to be euthanized as surgical treatment was declined. It emphasises the diagnosis process and post-mortem examination.
Conditions Experienced by the Horse
- The horse in question, a 4-year-old miniature horse, experienced a range of symptoms which included intermittent episodes of pyrexia (fever), lethargy and purulent vaginal discharge.
- The onset of these symptoms was observed after an instance of dystocia, a term indicating difficult labor or childbirth.
Diagnostic Processes
- Two diagnostic methods were used for the horse: vaginal endoscopy and a transrectal ultrasonography.
- Vaginal endoscopy revealed a ‘blind-ending’ vaginal cavity, describing a cavity with no clear end or outlet. This may have serious implications and can lead to accumulation of discharge and result in further complications.
- Transrectal ultrasonography exposed an extremely distended uterus, referring to an organ stretched far beyond its normal capacity.
Outcome for the Horse
- The option of surgical treatment for the horse was declined, leaving the final decision to euthanize the horse.
- A post-mortem examination performed after euthanasia confirmed two diagnoses: pyometra and vaginal adhesions.
- Pyometra refers to an infection in the uterus resulting in pus accumulation, while vaginal adhesions are the abnormal fusing together of the vaginal walls.
Cite This Article
APA
Cozens ER.
(2009).
Pyometra and complete vaginal adhesion in a miniature horse.
Can Vet J, 50(9), 971-972.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Kirkton Veterinary Clinic, 1911 Mary Street, Box 96, Kirkton, Ontario N0K 1K0. ecozens@uoguelph.ca
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cell Adhesion
- Euthanasia, Animal
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Pyometra / diagnosis
- Pyometra / surgery
- Pyometra / veterinary
- Vagina / abnormalities
- Vagina / pathology
References
This article includes 8 references
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- McKinnon AO, Voss JL, Van Camp SD. Equine Reproduction. London, UK: Lea and Febiger; 1993. Uterine abnormalities; p. 393.
- Brinsko SP. How to perform uterine lavage: Indications and practical techniques. Proceedings of the Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners 2001. pp. 407–411.
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- Freeman DE, Rotting AK, Kollman M. Ovariohysterectomy in mares: 17 cases. Proceedings of the Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners 2007. pp. 370–374.
- Rötting AK, Freeman DE, Doyle AJ, Lock T, Sauberli D. Total and partial ovariohysterectomy in seven mares.. Equine Vet J 2004 Jan;36(1):29-33.
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Ghoneim IM, Al-Ahmad JA, Fayez MM, El-Sabagh IM, Humam NAA, Al-Eknah MM. Characterization of microbes associated with cervico-vaginal adhesion in the reproductive system of camels (Camelus dromedaries). Trop Anim Health Prod 2021 Jan 19;53(1):132.
- Kim HM, Bae JY, Cho YJ, Kim MJ, Cha HH, Seong WJ. Vaginal adhesions in a woman with the history of dystocia. Obstet Gynecol Sci 2014 Jan;57(1):70-2.
- Hardefeldt L, Thomas K, Page S, Norris J, Browning G, El Hage C, Stewart A, Gilkerson J, Muscatello G, Verwilghen D, van Galen G, Bauquier J, Cuming R, Reynolds B, Whittaker C, Wilkes E, Clulow J, Burden C, Begg L. Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for horses in Australia. Aust Vet J 2025 Dec;103(12):781-889.
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