Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

process of involution. The associated vaginal bleeding is usually mild, but may
be heavy enough to cause anemia.
SIPS tends to occur in bitches younger than 3 years old. There is no breed
predisposition. The condition does not cause discomfort. SIPS can be complicated
by acute metritis or perforation of the uterus, but this is not common.
The diagnosis is made by palpating the uterus and feeling lumpiness in the
uterine horns. Ultrasonography shows the enlarged horns. Vaginal cytology
may disclose trophoblastlike cells.
Treatment: The SIPS-related discharge usually resolves spontaneously. If
it persists and you don’t plan to breed the bitch again, have her spayed. When
SIPS disappears spontaneously, future fertility is not affected. There is no predisposition
for developing SIPS after subsequent litters.
ACUTE METRITIS (INFECTED UTERUS)
PREGNANCY AND WHELPING • 483
Acute metritis is a bacterial infection that spreads upward into the uterus during
the birthing process or shortly after. Some cases are caused by a retained
placenta or a mummified fetus. Others are caused by contamination of the
birth canal during or after delivery. Unsanitary whelping quarters and failure
to dispose of the placentas and change the bedding immediately after whelping
predispose a bitch to bacterial infection.
Many cases of acute metritis can be prevented by a postpartum checkup 24
hours after delivery. The veterinarian will give the dam an injection of oxytocin
to clear the uterus, if needed.
Signs of metritis appear two to seven days after whelping. A dam with
acute metritis is lethargic, refuses to eat, has a fever of 103°F (39.4°C) to
105°F (40.5°C), is not attentive to her puppies, and may vomit and have diarrhea.
There is a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, which should be distinguished
from the normal greenish or bloody discharge common for the first
few days. A normal discharge is not accompanied by high fever, excessive
thirst, and other signs of toxicity, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Abdominal
palpation and ultrasonography help determine whether there has been a
retained fetus or placenta. Cultures are taken to determine the pathogens
involved and their antibiotic sensitivities.
Be sure to take the dam’s rectal temperature daily after whelping and notify
your veterinarian if she develops fever or any of the signs just described.
Acute metritis is a life-threatening illness that can rapidly progress to toxemia
and shock.
Treatment: Treatment involves administering intravenous fluids and
antibiotics to support circulation and treat toxemia. Oxytocin or prostaglandin
PGF 2 (Lutalyse) is given to empty the uterus. Your veterinarian may insert a
small catheter through the cervix and flush the uterus with sterile saline or