Small animal veterinary case study – Josie the basset griffon vendeen

Case provided by Yvonne McGrotty BVMS CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
European Specialist in Veterinary Internal Medicine
RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Internal Medicine

History
Josie was presented on 7/5/14 with a 3 week history of PUPD and poor appetite with resultant weight loss following a period in kennels. Occasional vomiting was noted and some mucoid diarrhoea had also been passed recently. Urinary accidents were occurring in the house and she was very lethargic. Bloods had revealed decreased urea and increased globulins. Josie had last been in season around 4 weeks earlier.

Physical examination
On clinical examination, Josie was quiet but alert and in good body condition at 18.6kg despite recent weight loss. Mucous membranes were pink and moist and CRT was less than 2 seconds. Heart rate was increased and pulse quality was decreased. Some grey ocular discharge was present at the medial canthus of the left eye. Josie showed signs of discomfort when abdominal palpation was performed. There was a bloody vulval discharge.

Diagnostic imaging
Abdominal ultrasound confirmed the presence of dilated uterine loops containing cellular fluid. This is consistent with pyometra. There was no free abdominal fluid and the remainder of the scan was unremarkable.

Diagnosis: Open pyometra