engleski

CANINE FOETAL MUMMIFICATION AS CONSEQUENCE OF PROLONGED GESTATION

A 1-year-old Kangal Shepherd bitch was admitted to the Clinic due to ultrasound (US) diagnostic of the first pregnancy 30 days following mating. Canine pregnancy normally ranges from 58 to 70 days. The US finding revealed 4 foetuses with a physiological heartbeat. The gestational sac diameter corresponded to foetal age. A suggestion for the next control examination was at the 45th day of the gestation, but the owners came on the 91st day, since parturition had not started. The bitch underwent a physical examination, which was unremarkable. The CBC showed mild anaemia, which corresponds to mid gestation. Serum biochemistry results were in the normal ranges, except hypoalbuminemia and a slightly increased CRP. Serum P4 was 7.88 ng/mL. There were no vaginal signs for parturition initiation. An abdominal US showed well-developed but avital foetuses without foetal fluid. The endometrium was unchanged without intraluminal free fluid. The X-ray showed 6 completely developed and ossified foetuses without foetal fluid. There were also initial signs of skeleton decalcification. Based on the elevated P4 and the absence of the free fluid, mummification of the foetuses occurred due to persistence of corpus luteum presence. A radical C-section was performed in general inhalation anaesthesia and all the foetuses with placenta were delivered. The cytology of the smear and endometrium aspirate revealed mild cellular slide with a predominance of segmented neutrophils (86%), lymphocytes (12%) and eosinophils (2%) with haematoidin crystals, connected to non-septic neutrophil inflammation. The bacterial findings of uterine aspirate as well as herpes viral molecular testing of foetal organs were negative. The postpartum X-ray of foetuses showed no signs of congenital malformation. In conclusion, prolonged gestation can result in foetal death and many further complications. At the final stage of pregnancy, it is important to monitor the decline of serum P4 as the evidence of luteolysis in order to prevent a prolonged parturition and foetal death.

canine, foetal mummification, gestation

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