Pyometra in a Bitch Following Placement of a Deslorelin Implant.

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex is a common disease of adult female dogs, causing the accumulation of purulent material within the uterine lumen of intact bitches and typically occurring during or immediately following a period of progesterone dominance. Clinical signs include malodorous, sanguineous to mucopurulent vaginal discharge when the cervix is open ("open pyometra") and systemic illness with no discharge when the cervix is closed ("closed pyometra"). Ovariohysterectomy is the treatment of choice for pyometra; however, combined hormonal and antimicrobial medical treatment is optional when preservation of fertility is desired. The use of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, such as deslorelin acetate, for reversible prevention of estrous cycles has not been found to be a risk factor for pyometra, nor has the use of progestins. In this case report we describe an occurrence of pyometra in a bitch with low progesterone levels and no predisposing factors, after placement of a deslorelin implant and concurrent treatment with progestins. Pyometra in this case was suspected to occur due to a preexisting subclinical uterine pathology primed by progestin treatment. A thorough physical examination, as well as a complete blood count, hormonal panels, ultrasonography and uterine vaginal or urine cultures, are best performed before placing deslorelin implants in bitches, and at regular intervals as long as the implant is assumed to be active. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]