Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Female dog with uterine stones and cancer causing abdominal swelling
By K.O. Silva et al.·Published in Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia·2026·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Uterine Lithiasis associated with neoplasia in a female dog: case report
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old mixed-breed female dog was brought in because she was lethargic, had a swollen belly, and was experiencing vaginal discharge. After tests, the vet found she had an infection in her uterus (open pyometra) and two unusual stones inside it, along with signs of cancer. During surgery to remove her uterus and ovaries, the vet discovered the stones were made of struvite and carbonate apatite, and the dog had a type of aggressive cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Unfortunately, the dog’s condition was serious, highlighting the importance of spaying to prevent such severe issues in female dogs.
People also search for: dog vaginal discharge · dog abdominal swelling · dog uterine infection treatment · spaying benefits for dogs · dog cancer symptoms
Abstract
ABSTRACT Uterine lithiasis is an extremely rare condition in veterinary medicine, with few documented reports. This paper describes the case of a ten-year-old mixed-breed female dog presented with apathy, abdominal distension, and vaginal discharge. Laboratory and imaging examinations indicated open pyometra associated with the presence of a foreign body. During ovariohysterectomy, two pyramidal calculi were identified in the uterine lumen, along with rupture of the uterine horns and the presence of multiple nodules. Histopathological analysis confirmed a high-grade squamous cell carcinoma, while crystallographic analysis revealed that the calculi were primarily composed of struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate) and carbonate apatite (carbonated calcium phosphate). The formation of the calculi was attributed to a chronically inflamed and alkaline uterine environment, exacerbated by infection and neoplasia. This case report expands the understanding of the pathogenesis of uterine lithiasis in dogs and underscores the need for further studies to better elucidate this condition. Additionally, it highlights the importance of spaying in preventing severe uterine disorders in female dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4162-13598