Metritis in Dogs
Metritis is inflammation of the endometrium (lining) of the uterus due to a bacterial infection, usually occurring within a week after a dog has given birth. It can also develop after a natural or medical abortion, miscarriage, or after a non-sterile artificial insemination. The bacteria that are most often responsible for infection of the uterus are gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli, which often spreads into the blood, causing a blood infection. The infection may lead to sterility, and if left untreated, septic shock, a lethal condition, may follow.
Symptoms and Types
- Discharge from the vulva that smells bad; discharge with pus, or pus mixed with blood; discharge that is dark green
- Swollen, dough-like abdomen
- Dehydration (the skin stays tented for a few seconds when pinched)
- Dark red gums
- Fever
- Reduced milk production
- Depression
- Lack of appetite
- Neglect of puppies
- Increased heart rate if the bacterial infection has become systemic
Causes
- Difficult birth
- Prolonged delivery, perhaps with a large litter
- Obstetric manipulation
- Retained fetuses or placentas
- Natural or medical abortion, miscarriage
- Natural or artificial insemination (rare)
Diagnosis
Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, an electrolyte panel, and a urinalysis. These tests will help your veterinarian to determine whether the bacterial infection has spread to the bloodstream, where the infection might have originated, and how dehydrated your dog is. You will need to give a thorough history of your dog's health, onset of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have precipitated this condition.
Diagnostic tools, like radiograph and ultrasound imaging, will allow your veterinarian to visually examine the interior of the uterus for any retained fetuses, excess fluid accumulation, and/or abnormal amounts of abdominal fluid production due to uterine rupture.
A sample of the vaginal discharge will also be taken for cytologic (microscopic) examination. A culture of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that lives with oxygen, or without oxygen, respectively) will be used for identifying the bacterial populations present in the blood, and a sensitivity of the isolated bacteria will be performed so that the most appropriate antibiotic treatments can be prescribed.
systemic
Something that is related to the whole body and not just one particular part or organ
sepsis
A medical condition; the contamination of a living thing by a harmful type of bacteria
urinalysis
An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness
uterus
The hollow bodily organ that holds the embryo and fetus and provides nourishment; only found in female animals.
vulva
The genitalia of a female; found on the outside
radiograph
A record of body structures using an x-ray
metritis
A condition in which the uterus becomes inflamed
broad-spectrum
a) A type of antibiotic that kills both gram positive and gram negative bacteria.
b) A type of pesticide that is known to kill a whole variety of insects but also tends to affect other wildlife as well.
artificial insemination
A method of breeding in which semen is collected and stored to be inserted into the vagina without actual breeding activity; often shortened to AI in the veterinary world.
endometrium
The innermost layer of the uterus
infertile
Something that is not capable of reproducing
anaerobic
a) living in an environment lacking free oxygen b) pertaining to an organism with the ability to live in an environment lacking free oxygen.
pus
A product made of fluid, cell waste, and cells
