Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ultrasound signs of pyometra versus early pregnancy in cats
By Blanco, Paula Graciela et al.·Published in Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene·2018·Faculty of Veterinary Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Uterine two-dimensional and Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of feline pyometra.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 14 female cats (queens) were examined using ultrasound to see if they had pyometra, a serious infection of the uterus, or were simply pregnant. The study found that the queens with pyometra had larger uterine horn diameters compared to those that were pregnant. Additionally, those with signs of illness had even larger uterine measurements. This suggests that ultrasound can help veterinarians tell the difference between pyometra and early pregnancy, which is crucial for deciding the right treatment.
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare uterine two-dimensional and Doppler ultrasonographic parameters in queens suffering from pyometra from those in early pregnancy. Secondly, the effect of the presence of clinical signs of systemic illness on these parameters was also described. Fourteen post-oestrous queens, with uterine luminal content in the absence of embryos were included. According to their outcome (pyometra surgery or parturition), the queens were retrospectively assigned to one of the following groups: Pyometra (PYO; n = 7) or pregnant (PRG; n = 7). In all the queens, two-dimensional and Doppler ultrasound examinations of the uterus were performed. The presence or absence of clinical signs of systemic illness was recorded. The widest cross-sectional diameter (UD), uterine wall thickness (WT), uterine lumen contents (LC) and uterine artery resistance index (RI) were measured. Uterine horn diameter was higher in PYO group than in PRG group (p < 0.05), while WT (p > 0.1) and LC (p = 0.09) did not differ between groups. Values of RI for PYO and PRG groups were 0.61 ± 0.03 vs 0.53 ± 0.09 (p < 0.05), respectively. PYO cats suffering from clinical signs of systemic illness showed larger UD than those without signs (p < 0.01). It is concluded that two-dimensional and Doppler ultrasound might be useful to distinguish queens suffering from pyometra from those in early pregnancy. Secondly, the clinical signs of systemic illness were associated with a larger UD.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30474342/