Uterine Prolapse in Dogs: Causes and Treatment

Uterine prolapse (from the Latin "prolapsus" meaning "falling out") is the prolapse of the uterus beyond the vaginal opening. This condition often develops in older female dogs that have had multiple litters; uterine prolapse is much less common in young dogs. Female dogs of small breeds are more prone to uterine prolapse.

Content

1 Reasons
2 Symptoms
3 Diagnostics
4 Treatment
5 Prevention

Reasons

Among the factors that can cause a dog's uterus to protrude beyond its anatomical boundaries, the main ones are multiple pregnancies, difficult labor, or poor obstetric care. Uterine prolapse can also be caused by:

hydrops fetalis, causing overstretching of the uterine walls;
unsuccessful extraction of the fetus by force;
spontaneous miscarriage.

Sad dog

Prolapse of the reproductive organ can occur in a dog without any connection with pregnancy or childbirth, but this is more rare. Prolapse can be caused by:

increased secretion of hormones and muscle tension during estrus (bulldogs and boxers);
muscle weakness, relaxation of the paravaginal tissue caused by age-related changes, obesity or exhaustion;
poor nutrition of the pregnant female - a deficiency of protein products in the diet, a predominance of low-nutrient but bulky feeds, mineral deficiency or hypovitaminosis;
lack of physical activity in the bitch during pregnancy;
injuries to abdominal organs;
the presence of neoplasms in the dog's abdominal cavity.

Symptoms

The owner of a female dog should be wary if:

the dog behaves restlessly, sometimes gets up, sometimes lies down, constantly changes position, avoids communication, tries to hide;
often strains, whines due to abdominal pain;
constantly licks the genitals.

Upon examination, a mucus-covered, bleeding tube with a depressed tip may be seen hanging from the vaginal opening. Most often, one uterine horn prolapses; it is bright pink or bluish in color. The prolapsed portion of the uterus quickly swells, becomes inflamed, and is easily injured. If immediate action is not taken, the damaged tissue will necrose, and the dog may develop sepsis (blood poisoning), leading to death. Therefore, there is no time to waste; immediate specialist intervention is required.

Before the veterinarian arrives, the dog should be placed on its side with its hindquarters slightly elevated. The prolapsed uterine horn should be wrapped in a clean cloth, and any dirt should be carefully removed with a damp swab.

Diagnostics

In most cases, a veterinarian diagnoses uterine prolapse in dogs through physical examination and palpation. However, if the diagnosis is not clear, the animal undergoes a vaginoscopy—a visual examination using a colposcope (a binocular microscope). Blood and urine tests may also be performed if necessary.

Treatment

In the case of uterine prolapse, hospitalization of the dog is mandatory. The primary goal is to prevent infection and recurrence of prolapse.

If uterine prolapse occurred during estrus or the uterine tissue that prolapsed during childbirth is not damaged, the organ is returned to its original position. Repositioning the uterus is performed under general anesthesia. The prolapsed portion of the uterine horn is treated with detergents (medicinal cleansing agents) and antiseptics. Solutions of alum, dimecaide, citeal, miramistin, and etonium are commonly used. The uterus is then lubricated with an antiseptic ointment and carefully replaced.

If prolapse occurs again, loop sutures are placed on the vulva to strengthen the organ. If the portion of the uterus protruding from the vagina is severely thickened or ulcerated, it is tied off with surgical silk thread (a procedure called ligation). The portion of the uterus separated by the ligation is not excised, as this will cause profuse bleeding. After about a week, this portion dies and falls off.

In situations where necrosis has already begun, or the tissues of the prolapsed portion of the uterus are damaged or heavily contaminated, the reproductive organ is amputated, as the risk of developing sepsis and death in this case is very high.

For dogs not intended to reproduce, removal of all reproductive organs (ovariohysterectomy) is recommended. Following surgery, the animal is prescribed a course of antibiotic therapy and general tonic medications. During the recovery period (which lasts about a month), the dog should limit physical activity to a minimum.

Prevention

To protect your dog from uterine prolapse, it is recommended:

Don't breed your dog too often; once a year is sufficient. Older dogs should not be bred, as this carries the risk of producing defective offspring and a high risk of damaging the dog's health.
During pregnancy, the dog should be taken to the veterinarian regularly for checkups. Before giving birth, it is advisable to have the bitch undergo an ultrasound to detect any possible multiple pregnancies.
It's best to have your pet's birth attended by a veterinarian. If professional assistance is not available and you must deliver the kitten yourself, remember that being overly pushy during delivery is unacceptable.
During the first 24 hours after the birth of the puppies, the dog's condition should be closely monitored: uterine prolapse usually occurs during this period.

Throughout her life, and especially during pregnancy, it's important to provide your dog with a well-balanced diet. Your pet's diet should include vitamin supplements and high-protein foods. Her resting area should be clean and dry; pregnant females should sleep on a level, flat surface.

You need to walk your dog every day, and not just for a few minutes, calculated for relieving oneself, but for at least 20 minutes if your pet belongs to a small breed, and 30-40 minutes if it is a large dog.

Read also:

We recommend