Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Blood tests predicting outcome in dogs with pyometra infection
By Jitpean, Supranee et al.·Published in Theriogenology·2014·Department of Clinical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Serum insulin-like growth factor-I, iron, C-reactive protein, and serum amyloid A for prediction of outcome in dogs with pyometra.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of female dogs diagnosed with pyometra, a serious infection of the uterus, were studied to see if certain blood markers could help predict their recovery. The dogs showed lower levels of insulin-like growth factor-I and iron, while levels of C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A were significantly higher compared to healthy dogs. Although these markers indicated the presence of infection, they did not correlate with how long the dogs stayed in the hospital after surgery. The dogs underwent surgery to remove the infected uterus and were treated, but the study suggests that while these blood tests can indicate infection, they may not predict recovery outcomes accurately.
People also search for: dog pyometra symptoms · female dog surgery recovery · blood tests for dog infections
Abstract
Pyometra, accumulation of pus in the uterus, is a bacterial infection that frequently initiates systemic inflammation. The disease may have lethal consequences when the systemic effects are severe or complications occur. Markers for identifying high-risk patients and predicting outcome are therefore in high demand. The objective of this study was to measure serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), iron, C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum amyloid A (SAA) in bitches with pyometra and to explore the possible value of these variables for detection of increased morbidity. In total, 31 bitches were diagnosed with pyometra and destined for surgical treatment (ovariohysterectomy) and 17 healthy bitches were included in the study. Concentrations of IGF-I and iron were lower in the pyometra group (mean concentration 221.2 ± 22.5 ng/mL and 16.9 ± 1.6 μmol/L, respectively) compared with the healthy control group (mean concentration 366.7 ± 46.2 ng/mL and 38.1 ± 2.7 μmol/L, respectively). In contrast, concentrations of CRP and SAA were significantly higher in bitches with pyometra (mean concentrations 212.9 ± 17.3 mg/L and 119.9 ± 8.5 mg/L, respectively) compared with the control group (<5 mg/L and <10 mg/L, respectively). None of the explored variables were associated with morbidity as measured by duration of postoperative hospitalization. In conclusion, IGF-I and iron concentrations were decreased in pyometra, whereas SAA and CRP concentrations were increased in the disease. Although unspecific, measurement of these variables may be valuable as adjunctive markers for prognosis in cases of pyometra.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24661434/