An unusual outcome for fetal death in bitch: a report of a case

Abstract

n this report, an unusual condition of fetal maceration conveyed with retentionof fetal debris was diagnosed 5-months after breeding in a houndbitch. A five-year-old, 13 kg weighted bitch was brought to Adnan Menderes University Animal Hospital with complaints of loss of appetite and abdominal distention, five months after breeding. Although presenting a distended abdomen and mammary glands, no signs of parturition have been reported. At surgery, a reddish free intra-abdominal fluid was suctioned, and hysterectomy was performed; ovaries were not excised to avoid any compromise of hunting performance. Fur and bone remnants floating in a brown-green, mucous and odorless fluid were detected at inspection of the uterus. In this case, the evaluation of the uterus showed that all the fetuses underwent macerationand autolysis at least 3 months after the pregnancy putative. Although it was seen that compatible with chronic uterine inflammation findings (leukocytosis and anemia), closed cervical position and odorless uterine content may be an unusual sequel to canine fetal death