ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND RADIOGRAPHY OF THE CANINE POSTPARTUM UTERUS |
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| Authors: | John W. Pharr DVM MS Klaas Post DVM MVETSC |
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| Affiliation: | Departments of Veterinary Anesthesiology, Radiology and Surgery, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 0W0.;Veterinary Internal Medicine, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 0W0. |
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| Abstract: | A vulvovaginal discharge following parturition in a bitch is often a cause of concern to owners and clinicians, especially if whelping was complicated in any way. Ultrasonography could potentially distinguish between normal and abnormal postpartum uterine states because the uterine wall and luminal contents can be imaged in detail. Five normal bitches were examined to determine the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the postpartum uterus and the sensitivity of ultrasonography in detecting the involuting uterus, comparing this sensitivity with that of radiography. Ultrasonography was done at 1, 4, 8, 12, 18 and 24 days postpartum, radiography at 1, 4, 8, 12 and 18 days postpartum. By 12 days postpartum, the uterus could not be seen on radiographs, while at 24 days postpartum the uterus was still sonographically identifiable. The ultrasonographic characteristics of the involuting uterus are described. |
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| Keywords: | ultrasound canine postpartum uterus |
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