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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Vaginal birth defect causing bloody discharge in 1-year-old Labrador

By Alonge, S et al.·Published in Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene·2015·Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, Italy·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Congenital abnormality of the vagina complicated by haemato-pyocolpos in a 1-year labrador retriever.

Species:
dog

Plain-English summary

A 1-year-old female Labrador retriever was brought to the vet with a few days of bloody discharge from her vulva. After examining her and performing an ultrasound, the vet found fluid buildup in her vagina, which indicated a condition called haemato-pyocolpos (fluid accumulation due to a blockage). During surgery, the vet discovered an abnormal enlargement of the vagina and performed an ovariohysterectomy (spaying) along with partial removal and reconstruction of the vagina. The dog recovered well after surgery, and follow-up visits showed no further issues.

People also search for: dog bloody discharge from vulva · Labrador retriever vaginal discharge · haemato-pyocolpos treatment in dogs

Abstract

A 1-year-old female Labrador retriever was referred with a few days history of haematic-like vulvar discharge. Physical examination, vaginal inspection and palpation did not reveal any remarkable finding. Transabdominal ultrasound showed echogenic fluid accumulation in the vagina suggesting haemato-pyocolpos. An exploratory laparotomy was performed: a well-delimited ectasic vagina was identified. Ovariohysterectomy and partial vaginectomy and vaginoplasty were performed to spay the bitch and to remove the ectasic vagina. Post-operative recovery and 12-month follow-up were uneventful. Clinical, morphological and histological findings were consistent with a congenital abnormality of the muscular layer of the vagina complicated by haemato-pyocolpos. The disorganization of the vaginal tunica muscularis may have acted as locus minoris resistentiae in the vaginal wall. The organ was dilated and atonic due to the gradual accumulation of physiological fluids complicated by an overgrowth of genital bacteria. This congenital disorder has to be taken into account as differential diagnosis of haemato-pyocolpos with vaginal discharge in young bitches.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25661902/