Vaginal disorders

Clinical retrospective study of vaginal hyperplasia in the bitch (2012-2022)

A retrospective study was used to analyse canine vaginal hyperplasia ambulatory cases in Small animal clinic of the University Veterinary Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria between 2012 and 2022. The study was done to investigate the morbidity of vaginal hyperplasia in the bitch and its relationship with the breed, body weight, age, stage of the oestrous cycle, parity of dogs and grade of the condition. Grade II and grade III vaginal hyperplasia were observed in 3.11% of all female dog genital pathological cases. Twenty-eight canine breeds were affected and the largest number were Central Asian Shepherds (30.47%). Most frequently the dogs were between 2 and 3 years old (29.68%), above 40 kg body weight (58.59%) and during follicular phase (proestrus and oestrus) of the oestrous cycle (82.02%). All the affected bitches were non-spayed (100%) and nulliparous were 70.31% of them. Grade III vaginal hyperplasia was more frequently observed (53.13%) than grade II of the condition. High correlation was found between age of the bitches and grade of the vaginal hyperplasia (R2  = .551; SEE = 0.053), body weight and grade of the condition (R2  = .820; SEE = 0.054), and age of the animals and their body weight (R2  = .820; SEE = 1.27).

Regenerative Medicine Approaches in Bioengineering Female Reproductive Tissues

Diseases, disorders, and dysfunctions of the female reproductive tract tissues can result in either infertility and/or hormonal imbalance. Current treatment options are limited and often do not result in tissue function restoration, requiring alternative therapeutic approaches. Regenerative medicine offers potential new therapies through the bioengineering of female reproductive tissues. This review focuses on some of the current technologies that could address the restoration of functional female reproductive tissues, including the use of stem cells, biomaterial scaffolds, bio-printing, and bio-fabrication of tissues or organoids. The use of these approaches could also be used to address issues in infertility. Strategies such as cell-based hormone replacement therapy could provide a more natural means of restoring normal ovarian physiology. Engineering of reproductive tissues and organs could serve as a powerful tool for correcting developmental anomalies. Organ-on-a-chip technologies could be used to perform drug screening for personalized medicine approaches and scientific investigations of the complex physiological interactions between the female reproductive tissues and other organ systems. While some of these technologies have already been developed, others have not been translated for clinical application. The continuous evolution of biomaterials and techniques, advances in bioprinting, along with emerging ideas for new approaches, shows a promising future for treating female reproductive tract-related disorders and dysfunctions.

Recent Advances in Nanosystems and Strategies for Vaginal Delivery of Antimicrobials

Vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, candidiasis, and trichomoniasis affect millions of women each year. They are caused by an overgrowth of microorganisms, generally sexually transmitted, which in turn can be favored by alterations in the vaginal flora. Conventional treatments of these infections consist in systemic or local antimicrobial therapies. However, in the attempt to reduce adverse effects and to contrast microbial resistance and infection recurrences, many efforts have been devoted to the development of vaginal systems for the local delivery of antimicrobials. Several topical dosage forms such as aerosols, lotions, suppositories, tablets, gels, and creams have been proposed, although they are sometimes ineffective due to their poor penetration and rapid removal from the vaginal canal. For these reasons, the development of innovative drug delivery systems, able to remain in situ and release active agents for a prolonged period, is becoming more and more important. Among all, nanosystems such as liposomes, nanoparticles (NPs), and micelles with tunable surface properties, but also thermogelling nanocomposites, could be exploited to improve local drug delivery, biodistribution, retention, and uptake in vulvovaginal tissues. The aim of this review is to provide a survey of the variety of nanoplatforms developed for the vaginal delivery of antimicrobial agents. A concise summary of the most common vaginal infections and of the conventional therapies is also provided.

Surgical repair of third-degree perineal lacerations with rectovestibular fistulae in dairy cattle: a series of four cases (2010-2018)

We describe the successful surgical repair of third-degree perineal lacerations with rectovestibular fistulae in four cases using the single-stage modified Aanes method with purse-string suture of the vaginal vestibule and rectum. Fistulae formation and dehiscence of the repair were not observed after surgery. Two cows had five calves and one cow had four calves after surgery. The pregnant cows delivered normally. Additionally, there was no dehiscence of the suture line during the subsequent parturition. The breeding and fertility results obtained after the surgery are presented. According to the results of the present study, the modified Aanes method for the repair of third-degree perineal lacerations with rectovestibular fistulae appears to have a good prognosis for fertility following surgery in cows.

A survey of diseases of working farm dogs in New Zealand

AIMS

To record the incidence of specific diseases affecting working farm dogs; identify any apparent breed predispositions; determine the most important causes of loss from death, euthanasia, or retirement of the dog; and identify potential interventions that could reduce the incidence of disease.

METHODS

A national questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted to identify the incidence of specific diseases, and circumstances of trauma affecting working farm dogs that presented to rural veterinary practices over a 12-month period, between April 2008 and April 2009. The practices were convenience-sampled on the basis of geography and size.

RESULTS

Sixty-six practices were approached, and veterinarians from 30 practices agreed to participate, with representation from all major rural regions of New Zealand. Data were provided on 2,214 presentations, excluding revisits, of which 51% were for Huntaways and 39% Heading dogs. Trauma was identified as a cause of injury in 848 (38%) visits. Huntaways were apparently over-represented in cases of constipation, gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), theriogenological problems, laryngitis, hip dysplasia, and degenerative lumbosacral disease. In contrast, Heading dogs were over-represented among cases of multiple ligamentous injury of the stifle, disruption of the gastrocnemius or Achilles tendon, tarsal injuries, and hip luxation. Traumatic injury involved injury by stock (20%), automotive incidents (19%), transit across fence lines (16%), and dog bites (12%). Loss occurred following 10% of visits, of which trauma was known to be involved in 32%. The most important non-traumatic causes of loss were GDV, degenerative joint disease, mammary neoplasia and diseases involving the female reproductive tract, cardiac disease, and poisoning.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Several important diseases appear amenable to intervention through nutrition, neutering, or behavioural modification, including constipation, GDV, theriogenological problems, dog-bite injuries, and laryngitis. Altering modes of transit across fence lines has the potential to reduce large numbers of serious orthopaedic injuries to working farm dogs.

Long-retained vaginal foreign body causing chronic vaginitis in a bulldog

A vaginal foreign body consisting of a piece of retained calvarium from a macerated fetus was identified and removed using vaginoscopy in a 4-year-old, spayed female bulldog. The dog had a 12-month history of chronic mucopurulent vaginitis. Vaginal foreign bodies, although uncommon, are a differential diagnosis for recurrent mucopurulent or hemorrhagic chronic vaginal discharge. A case of chronic vaginitis caused by a long-retained intravaginal foreign body in a dog is described and compared to four other canine cases reported in the literature.

First report of vaginal prolapse in a bitch treated with oestrogen

Vaginal prolapse is the protrusion of edematous vaginal tissue into and through the opening of the vulva occurring during the pro-oestrus and oestrus stages of the sexual cycle. True vaginal prolapse may occur near parturition, as the concentration of serum progesterone declines and the concentration of serum oestrogen increases. In a bitch, true vaginal prolapse is a very rare condition. This case report describes an 18-month-old crossbreed bitch, weighing 40 kg presented with type III vaginal prolapse. The patient had developed vaginal prolapse after receiving oestrogen in order to oestrus induction. Subsequent to unsuccessful attempts for repositioning, ovariohysterectomy (OHE), circumferential excision of the prolapsed tissue and finally vulvoplasty were performed. There was no evidence of recurrence of the prolapse during 30 days after surgery. This case report describes type III vaginal prolapse as an unusual side effect of oestrus induction hormonal therapy in the bitch.

Chronic vaginitis associated with vaginal foreign bodies in a cat

A 2-year-old, spayed female, domestic shorthaired cat was presented for evaluation of a chronic, purulent vulvar discharge. Survey radiographs of the abdomen and pelvis revealed bone fragments in the pelvic canal. A vaginoscopy was performed, and five bony foreign bodies were removed from the vaginal lumen. Using anatomical landmarks, the bones were identified as remnants of a fetal kitten.

Vaginectomy and urethroplasty as a treatment for non-pedunculated vaginal tumours in four bitches

Vaginal tumours are uncommon in dogs. Previous reports have shown that 73 to 94 per cent of documented vaginal tumours are benign and pedunculated, often on narrow stalks. Some vaginal tumours are non-pedunculated. They grow in a concentric way either towards the vestibular area or towards the cervix. Their growth can locally affect the function of other organs. Urethral and rectal compression as well as local neurological disturbances have been described. This case series describes total and partial vaginectomy associated with urethroplasty as a treatment for non-pedunculated vaginal tumours in four dogs. These surgical procedures allowed complete resection of the tumour and were associated with low morbidity. Postoperative management and short term outcome are discussed. The final outcome was favourable; throughout the follow-up period, no local recurrence or metastasis was encountered in the animals.

Clinical approach to vaginal/vestibular masses in the bitch

The most common causes of vaginal/vestibular masses in the bitch are vaginal prolapse, vaginal neoplasia, and urethral neoplasia protruding into the vaginal vault. Other possible causes are clitoral enlargement, vaginal polyps, uterine prolapse, and vaginal abscessation or hematoma. Vaginal prolapse usually can be distinguished from neoplasia by the age of the patient, the time of occurrence during the estrous cycle, and the site of origin of the mass. Prolapse usually occurs in bitches under 4 years of age during proestrus, estrus, or at the end of diestrus and usually arises from the floor of the vagina, except for urethral tumors that protrude from the external urethral orifice. Appropriate diagnostic workup of bitches with vaginal vestibular masses includes complete history and physical examination, vaginal cytologic and vaginoscopic examination, retrograde vaginography or urethrocystography, serum progesterone and estradiol concentrations, and, in the case of suspect neoplasms, surgical or excision biopsy of the mass.

Nutrition and management of the dog

This article reviews those aspects of canine management relating to sanitation, reproduction, and nutrition. Within an effective system of management, the clinician will be better able to recognize and solve individual health problems and to assess their relationship to the facility as a whole. Integration of sanitation, nutrition, reproduction management, and health procedures and thorough and accurate record-keeping should be the goals of the consulting clinician.