By Jeannie Stall, R.V.T. Credits: 1. Common Diseases of
Companion Animals by Alleice Summers 2. Livestock Disease
Prevention by Joe Harper 3. Clip Art 4. Candi Davis photo
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM DISEASES
Slide 2
Female Reproductive System Two ovaries Oviducts Uterus Cervix
Vagina Vulva
Slide 3
Vaginal Diseases Juvenile Vaginitis: Common issue in young
puppies Clinical signs: vulvar discharge Trt: Rx Systemic
antibiotics Adult Vaginitis: Causes: Viral, bacterial, anatomical
issues, injury, contact irritants (chemical)
Slide 4
Pseudopregnancy Due to exaggerated changes in normal hormones
of a non-pregnant female ( Progesterone & Prolactin) Clinical
signs: ~ 6-12 wks. post-estrus, wt. gain, enlarged mammary glands
(even to the point of producing milk), & vaginal discharge,
carry stuffed toys around, nesting, mothering behavior, ~ 1-3 wks.
Duration Cure: OHE sx.
Slide 5
Pyometra Bacterial infection in the uterus ~ Within 60 days of
heat cycle Can be Open or Closed Closed- Cervix narrows d/t
infection & inflammation, pus builds up/uterus can rupture
Open- Infection drains via cervix Signs: Dehydration, Neutrophilic
left shift, elev. ALK,BUN,TP Best Treatment : OHE sx.
(dehydrated/azotemia concerns)
Inappropriate Maternal Behavior Aggressive (towards newborns)-
Kill/cannibalize Indifference- No licking/caring/warm snuggle Clutz
( steps or lays on newborns) Do not continue to breed this female
Cure /Trt: OHE sx.
Slide 8
Lactation Issues Agalactia- No milk production Galactostasis-
Milk stasis (swollen mamm. glands) Mastitis- Most common issue,
septic inflammation of mamm. glands, single or multiple gland
involvement Trt: Agalactia- Oxytocin Mastitis-Rx antibiotics, warm
compresses, milk out glands
Slide 9
Male Reproductive System Two testicles (Hopefully descended) If
not= Cryptorchid/ Exploratory Sx. Duct system: Urethra, prostate
gland, penis Scrotum Prepuce
Slide 10
Prostate Gland Issues Only accessory sex gland in dog- Produces
fluid to carry & protect sperm Prostate Dz. more common in dog
than cat Hyperplasia issues seen intact males / Hormones amplify
issue- Advise neuter sx. Prostatitis- Bacterial infection of gland
Trt: Long-term Rx of antibiotics Best option: Neuter to decrease
hormone levels
Slide 11
Tumors Males: Testicular- More common in dogs Cryptorchids
& inguinal hernia cases more susceptible Trt: Neuter sx.
Penile- Rare in cats and dogs, however Transmissible Venereal Tumor
is seen in K9 Females: Ovarian, Uterine, Cervical, Vaginal &
Vulvar Trt: Surgical removal along with OHE sx. Mammary- K9 &
cats / In K9, risk increases with each heat Trt: Surgical removal
along with OHE sx.
Slide 12
Equine Reproduction Heat cycle every 21 days w/ 5-7 day estrus
Ovulate 24 48 hours before end of estrus Only has a 60 75 %
Reproductive efficiency Cystic ovary = Colic-like symptoms Trt:
Banamine
Slide 13
Equine Abortions Causes: Bacterial or Viral Bacterial: E. coli,
Salmonella, Klebsiella, Actinobacillus Clin. Signs: Abortion,
discharge, premature milk let-down, Mare returns to estrus Trt:
Uterine Flush w/antibiotics Rx Systemic antibiotics
Slide 14
Viral Abortions Most common cause: Equine Herpesvirus type-1 (
EHV-1 ) Most occur in last trimester (Day 224-336) Involves
multiple mares on same farm Diagnosis- Isolate virus from aborted
fetal tissues/placenta WEAR GLOVES !!!! Killed vx. administered to
preg. mares @ 5, 7 & 9 mo. of gestation
Slide 15
Contagious Equine Metritis Cause: Gram - bacteria : Talorella
equigenitalis Passed from Stallion to mare at breeding Clin. Signs:
Lg. vol. discharge 10 to 14 days post breeding Diagnosis: Bacterial
C/S samples (Stud & Mare) Trt: Chlorhexidine flush SID x 7
days-Stud/Mare Antibiotics not greatly effective
Slide 16
Dystocia Difficult labor & birth- Usually w/ 1 st foal 2 nd
stage of labor (rupture of amniotic sac to foal delivery) - should
be < 20 min., as placenta breaks from maternal blood supply
early in labor process Causes: Large foal for mares size, Twins
Malpresentation (Breech,Twisted) Trt: Re-position foal/ Fetotomy/
C-section > Risk of loosing mare & foal
Slide 17
Edometritis 4 classifications: the classification number =
barren risk Causes: Freq. breedings / chronic infections ie:
E.coli, Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella,
Anatomical vulva issues/ STDs / Old age tissue changes Clinical
signs: +/- vulvar discharge, Failure to conceive Fluid accumulation
in uterus Trt: Uterine lavage w/ antibiotics, Rx Oxytocin, Sx.
correction of anatomical issues (Caslicks operation)
Slide 18
Retained Placenta Placenta (afterbirth) should pass 3 6 hours
post foaling Retained due to dystocia, torn placenta, ineffective
contractions Clin. signs: Vaginal discharge, Placental membranes
extending from vulva > 3 hrs. post foaling, Laminitis > 48
hours post foaling, systemic illness Trt: Oxytocin to stimulate
uterine contractions, lavage, systemic antibiotics, Banamine to
bind endotoxins
Slide 19
Ovarian Tumors Clin. signs: Granulosa cell = Constant estrus
Thecal cell = Aggressive behavior Anestrus Very Painful - Use
caution when working w/ mare !!!! Trt: Sx. to excise ovary
Slide 20
Uterine issues Uterine Artery Rupture: Rare but life
threatening Causes: Friable tissues in older mare, straining during
foaling, fetal pressure Trt: Sedation, dark & quiet stall,
Guarded Prognosis d/t potential bleed out Uterine Prolapse: Seen
after rough delivery - mare continues to strain Trt: Apply
Hypertonic saline to moisten & shrink tissue to facilitate
re-insertion of uterus Rx Oxytocin, Sedation/anesth., Systemic
Ab.
Slide 21
Rectal Tear Graded on I - IV scale ( IV most severe ) Causes:
Foaling injury or rectal palpation injury (most often) ALWAYS
Discuss rectal palpation procedures risk factor with horses owner
PRIOR TO Rectal exam!! Clin. signs: Blood on palpation sleeve,
colic symptoms, septicemia Trt: Emergency surgical repair of tear /
Rx Banamine, +/- IV fluids / Feed soft, wet diet
Slide 22
Fescue Toxicosis Ingestion of endophyte-infested tall fescue
grasses (Ergovaline) Creates vasoconstriction & prolactin
inhibition Clin. signs: Extended gestation (up to 13 months),
dysmature foals ( sm. for gestestional age), thickened placentas,
agalactia, weak foals d/t lack of colostrum Trt: Take mares off
fescue pastures 60-90 days before foaling, Assist mare w/foaling,
Tube feed foal, Provide colostrum to foal, Domperidone (Dopamine
antaganist)
Slide 23
Stallion Reproductive Issues Cryptorchid: One/both testes not
descended into scrotum by 6 mo. - 2 yrs. of age Just as in other
species, DO NOT use this male for breeding Castration required.
MUST remove retained testicle, also. Penile tumors: Likely squamous
cell carcinoma / sarcoid Penile paralysis: Non-retractable penis
Causes: Rx Acepromazine, Sacral nerve injury (3 rd -4 th ), Trauma
Rabies / EHV-1
Slide 24
Sheep,Goats & Cattle Dystocia - No progression of labor
within 30 minutes Due to: Malpresentation, Uterine fatigue caused
by large fetus or multiple births, Undilated cervix (ringwomb),
Prolapses-Uterine & vaginal > common in sheep than goats. *
Hypocalcemia a factor in uterine prolapses * Nutritional issues a
factor in vaginal prolapses Trt: Hyperosmotic solution to shrink
tissue for replacement, purse-string suture or similar device
Slide 25
Abortion ******** ZOONOTIC ISSUES ********* Campylobacter
(Vibriosis): Route of transmission = ingested Still births,
late-term abortions, weak lambs Trt: Penicillin, Streptomycin,
Tetracycline Chlamydia psittaci (Chlamydia): Transmitted via
uterine fluids Pigeons & sparrows are reservoirs. Trt:
Tetracycline (esp. in late gestation) Brucella sp. (Brucellosis) :
A.K.A. Bangs Dz. in cattle Transmitted via ingestion, localizes in
tissues & can pass in sperm Trt: NONE -- Cull infected animals
from flock or herd !!! ** ALL 3 OF THESE DISEASES ARE ZOONOTIC !!!
**
Slide 26
ZOONOTIC ISSUES USE GLOVES & EXTREME CAUTION WHEN HANDLING
ABORTED TISSUES !!!!
Slide 27
Mastitis Udder inflammation : Infectious :(E.coli, Klebsiella,
Mycoplasma or Pseudomonas) or Non-Infectious Clin. signs: Swollen,
red, warm udder / Septicemia Thick, discolored milk/ Gangrenous
udder Trt: C/S results for best Ab. choice Intramammary infusions
Systemic Ab. Severe cases = Sx. amputation