Emergências reprodutivas de cadelas e gatas em um hospital veterinário universitário / Reproductives emergencies in female dogs and female cats treated in a teaching veterinary hospital

Emergências obstétricas são comuns na rotina clínica de cães e gatos. Dentre as emergências obstétricas uma das mais importantes é a distocia. De modo geral, a distocia ocorre quando há falha no momento do parto ou na expulsão do feto, sendo que a causa mais comum de distocia nas duas espécies é a inércia uterina primária. Outra emergência obstétrica de ocorrência frequente em cadelas e gatas é a piometra. Esta doença é uma infecção que ocorre no útero, causada por alterações hormonais na fase do diestro dos animais. As duas enfermidades (distocia e piometra) podem ter o envolvimento de anticoncepcionais, tanto nas cadelas como nas gatas. Em relação ao tratamento, na maioria das vezes, as distocias em cadelas e gatas são abordadas por meio da realização de cesarianas. Em piometra, a terapêutica mais efetiva é a realização de ovariohisterectomia. Neste estudo, 43 cadelas e 20 gatas com emergências obstétricas foram monitoradas durante 90 dias. Entre as cadelas, 29 (67,44%; 29/43) apresentaram piometra e 13 (30,23%; 13/43) distocia. Além disso, uma cadela apresentou prolapso vaginal. Entre as gatas, 13 apresentaram distocia (65%; 13/20) e sete (35%; 7/20) piometra. Algumas dessas emergências obstétricas foram relacionadas ao uso de anticoncepcional. Assim, os clínicos veterinários devem desencorajar esta prática e incentivar a castração das fêmeas.

Obstetric emergencies are common in the clinical routine of dogs and cats. One of the most important obstetric emergencies is dystocia. In general, dystocia occurs when there is a failure at the parturition time or expulsion of the fetus, and the most common cause of dystocia in both species is primary uterine inertia. Another frequently occurring obstetric emergency in bitches and cats is piometra. This disease is an infection that occurs in the uterus caused by hormonal changes in the diestrus phase of animals. In both diseases (dystocia and pyometra), contraceptives can be involved in female dogs and cats. Regarding the treatment, most of the time, dystocias in bitches and cats are addressed through cesarean sections. In pyometra, the most effective therapy is to perform ovariohysterectomy. In the present study, 43 female dogs and 20 female cats with emergency obstetric were monitored during 90 days. Among bitches, 29 (67.44%; 29/43) had pyometra, and 13 (30.23%; 13/43) showed dystocia. In addition, one female dog presented vaginal prolapse. Among the cats, 13 had dystocia (65%; 13/20) and seven (35%; 7/20) pyometra. Some of these obstetric emergencies were related to contraceptive use. Thus, veterinary clinicians must discourage this practice and encourage the neutering of females.

Retinopatia deficiente de taurina em uma gata / Taurine deficiency retinopathy in a cat

Background: Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats and its deficiency causes an ocular disorder called taurine deficiency retinopathy. The retinal lesion is definitive and can be classified into five progression stages. In an advanced stage, it leads to blindness that in most cases is irreversible. This disease is considered rare as taurine is currently supplemented in commercial cat food. The objective of this report is to describe the ophthalmic changes in a cat with advanced taurine deficiency retinopathy, a rare but current disease that is important for differential diagnosis of blindness in cats. Case: We report the case of an adult mixed-breed cat (weighing 3.4 kg), that was attended by the Ophthalmology Service of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (UNESP - Botucatu), which was treated due to complaints of poor visual acuity for about 1 year. The animal, which was previously a stray animal, had been adopted for 2 years and provided premium cat food ad libitum. Ophthalmic examination showed bilateral mydriasis, with negative menace, direct pupillary, and consensual light reflexes. No change was observed in the ocular appendages, cornea, anterior chamber, lens, and vitreous humor. The eyes were normotensive and fluorescein test negative. Direct and indirect fundoscopy revealed an area of ellipsoidal hyperreflexia with darkened margins laterally to the optic nerve disk in the tapetal region and intense retinal vascular attenuation in both eyes, with a diagnosis of taurine deficiency retinopathy. Complete blood count and biochemical analysis parameters were within the normal range, including the leukocyte count. The guardian was instructed to continue feeding the cat balanced cat food and received information on the proper care and management of a blind animal. Discussion: Although taurine deficient retinopathy is currently underdiagnosed due to the supplementation of this amino acid in commercial cat food, animals that are not properly fed, such as those receiving dog food or homemade food, may be deficient in this amino acid. Taurine deficiency and in this case, the consequent taurine deficiency retinopathy, was diagnosed by visualizing the lesion characteristic of this amino acid deficit since no other retinal change presents this aspect in cats. Therefore, this lesion is considered pathognomonic of this deficiency. Hyperreflective retinal lesions with darkened margins indicate the slow chronic progression in the already stabilized lesions. The animal in this report presented pigmented lesion margins, indicating the chronicity of these retinal changes. Moreover, lesion signs are visible on fundoscopy only after a period of 2-11 months of nutritional amino acid deficiency, and complete retinal atrophy usually occurs after at least nine months of taurine deficiency. Thus, complete blindness associated with advanced retinal changes reinforced the suspicion that the animal had taurine deficiency for a prolonged period of time prior to its adoption. Its guardian was instructed to provide balanced commercial cat food, because although retinal lesions are irreversible, cardiac changes resulting from taurine deficiency are reversed with dietary supplementation. In addition, taurine deficiency affects other organs and systems, such as the central nervous, immune, and reproductive systems. In conclusion, although taurine deficiency retinopathy is currently rare, this condition should be considered one of the possible differential diagnoses for blindness in feline patients.

Emergências reprodutivas de cadelas e gatas em um Hospital Veterinário Universitário / Reproductives emergencies in female dogs and female cats treated in a Teaching Veterinary Hospital

Emergências reprodutivas, como as piometras e distocias, são frequentes na rotina clínica de cadelas e gatas. A distocia ocorre quando há falha no momento do parto ou na expulsão do feto e sua causa mais comum, nas duas espécies, é a inércia uterina primária. A piometra é uma infecção que ocorre no útero, causada por alterações hormonais na fase do diestro dos animais. As duas enfermidades (distocia e piometra) podem ter o envolvimento de anticoncepcionais, tanto nas cadelas como nas gatas. Na maioria das vezes, as distocias, em cadelas e gatas, é abordada por meio da realização de cesarianas, enquanto para a piometra, a terapêutica mais efetiva é a realização de ovariohisterectomia. Desta forma, tendo em vista a deficiência na quantificação de emergências reprodutivas obstétricas em cadelas e gatas diagnosticadas em serviços veterinários do Brasil, este trabalho teve como objetivo relatar os achados obtidos através do monitoramento, durante 90 dias, de 43 cadelas e 20 gatas com emergências reprodutivas. Dentre as cadelas, 29 (67,44%; 29/43) apresentaram piometra, 13 (30,23%; 13/43) distocia e 1 prolápso vaginal. Dentre as gatas, 13 (65%; 13/20) apresentaram distocia e sete (35%; 7/20) piometra. Algumas das emergências reprodutivas foram relacionadas ao uso de anticoncepcional. Assim, os clínicos veterinários devem desencorajar esta prática e incentivar a castração das fêmeas.

Reproductive emergencies, such as pyometras and dystocias, are frequent in the clinical routine of female dogs and cats. Dystocia occurs when there is a failure during delivery or expulsion of the fetus, and its most common cause, in both species, is primary uterine inertia. Pyometra is an infection that occurs in the uterus caused by hormonal changes in the diestrous phase of animals. In both diseases (dystocia and pyometra), contraceptives can be involved in both female dogs and cats. Most of the time, dystocias, in female dogs and cats, is addressed through cesarean sections, while in pyometra, the most effective therapy is to perform ovariohysterectomy. Thus, given the deficiency in the quantification of obstetric reproductive emergencies in female dogs and cats diagnosed in veterinary services in Brazil, this study aimed to report the findings obtained by monitoring 43 female dogs and 20 female cats with reproductive emergencies for 90 days. Among bitches, 29 (67.44%; 29/43) presented pyometra, 13 (30.23%; 13/43) showed dystocia, and 1 had vaginal prolapse. Among the cats, 13 presented dystocia (65%; 13/20), and 7 (35%; 7/20) showed pyometra. Some reproductive emergencies were related to contraceptive use. Thus, veterinary clinicians must discourage this practice and encourage the castration of females

Imperícia no diagnóstico de criptorquidismo bilateral em felino / Malpractice in diagnose bilateral feline cryptorchidism

O objetivo deste relato é descrever um caso de imperícia no diagnóstico de criptorquidismo inguinal bilateral em um gato. Foi atendido um gato em um Hospital Veterinário Universitário para castração eletiva. O tutor declarou ser uma fêmea. Foi realizado exame de sangue e ultrassonografia (US) para descarte de gestação. O animal foi encaminhado para ovariohisterectomia (OH) de rotina. No entanto, não foi possível localizar os ovários e o útero e a laparotomia foi encerrada. No pós-operatório imediato examinou-se novamente a genitália externa. Neste exame, o pênis foi localizado, mas não foram detectados os testículos. O animal foi liberado e trinta dias depois retornou para nova consulta. Nesta ocasião, realizou-se exame físico minucioso e exame ultrassonográfico da região inguinal, constatando-se que o animal apresentava criptorquidismo inguinal. Muitas vezes o criptorquidismo nos gatos é diagnosticado durante o exame físico, mas a US é útil no diagnóstico de criptorquidismo. O animal foi submetido à orquiectomia e, durante o procedimento cirúrgico, foram localizados os dois testículos, caracterizando criptorquidismo inguinal bilateral. Embora os testículos ectópicos na região inguinal possam estar cobertos por uma placa de gordura, dificultando a palpação, o pênis do gato pode ser visto através de simples exposição manual. Provavelmente tal manobra não foi realizada na primeira consulta, o que levou a um erro na identificação do sexo. Concluiu-se que a avaliação detalhada no exame físico é de fundamental importância em qualquer procedimento cirúrgico.

The aim of this paper is to describe a case of malpractice in the diagnosis of bilateral inguinal cryptorchidism in a cat. A cat was attended at the Teachdfring Veterinary Hospital. The owner requested elective spaying. The owner declared it to be a female. Blood tests and ultrasound were performed to discard pregnancy. The animal was referred for routine ovariohysterectomy (OH). However, it was not possible to locate the ovaries and uterus and the laparotomy was finished. In the immediate postoperative period, the external genitalia was examined again. In this examination, the penis was located, but the testicles were not detected. The animal was released and thirty days later returned for further consultation. On this occasion, a thorough physical examination and ultrasound examination of the inguinal region were performed. In this exam it was verified that the animal presented inguinal cryptorchidism. Cryptorchidism in cats is often diagnosed during physical examination, but ultrasound (US) is useful in diagnosing cryptorchidism. The animal was submitted to orchiectomy and, during the surgical procedure, both testicles were located, characterizing bilateral inguinal cryptorchidism. Although the ectopic testicles in the inguinal region may be covered by a fatty plaque, making palpation difficult, the cat's penis can be seen through simple manual exposure. Probably such a maneuver was not performed in the first consultation, which led to an error in the identification of sex. It was concluded that the detailed evaluation in the physical exam is of fundamental importance in any surgical procedure.

Imperícia no diagnóstico de criptorquidismo bilateral em felino / Malpractice in diagnose bilateral feline cryptorchidism

O objetivo deste relato é descrever um caso de imperícia no diagnóstico de criptorquidismo inguinal bilateral em um gato. Foi atendido um gato em um Hospital Veterinário Universitário para castração eletiva. O tutor declarou ser uma fêmea. Foi realizado exame de sangue e ultrassonografia (US) para descarte de gestação. O animal foi encaminhado para ovariohisterectomia (OH) de rotina. No entanto, não foi possível localizar os ovários e o útero e a laparotomia foi encerrada. No pós-operatório imediato examinou-se novamente a genitália externa. Neste exame, o pênis foi localizado, mas não foram detectados os testículos. O animal foi liberado e trinta dias depois retornou para nova consulta. Nesta ocasião, realizou-se exame físico minucioso e exame ultrassonográfico da região inguinal, constatando-se que o animal apresentava criptorquidismo inguinal. Muitas vezes o criptorquidismo nos gatos é diagnosticado durante o exame físico, mas a US é útil no diagnóstico de criptorquidismo. O animal foi submetido à orquiectomia e, durante o procedimento cirúrgico, foram localizados os dois testículos, caracterizando criptorquidismo inguinal bilateral. Embora os testículos ectópicos na região inguinal possam estar cobertos por uma placa de gordura, dificultando a palpação, o pênis do gato pode ser visto através de simples exposição manual. Provavelmente tal manobra não foi realizada na primeira consulta, o que levou a um erro na identificação do sexo. Concluiu-se que a avaliação detalhada no exame físico é de fundamental importância em qualquer procedimento cirúrgico.(AU)

The aim of this paper is to describe a case of malpractice in the diagnosis of bilateral inguinal cryptorchidism in a cat. A cat was attended at the Teachdfring Veterinary Hospital. The owner requested elective spaying. The owner declared it to be a female. Blood tests and ultrasound were performed to discard pregnancy. The animal was referred for routine ovariohysterectomy (OH). However, it was not possible to locate the ovaries and uterus and the laparotomy was finished. In the immediate postoperative period, the external genitalia was examined again. In this examination, the penis was located, but the testicles were not detected. The animal was released and thirty days later returned for further consultation. On this occasion, a thorough physical examination and ultrasound examination of the inguinal region were performed. In this exam it was verified that the animal presented inguinal cryptorchidism. Cryptorchidism in cats is often diagnosed during physical examination, but ultrasound (US) is useful in diagnosing cryptorchidism. The animal was submitted to orchiectomy and, during the surgical procedure, both testicles were located, characterizing bilateral inguinal cryptorchidism. Although the ectopic testicles in the inguinal region may be covered by a fatty plaque, making palpation difficult, the cat's penis can be seen through simple manual exposure. Probably such a maneuver was not performed in the first consultation, which led to an error in the identification of sex. It was concluded that the detailed evaluation in the physical exam is of fundamental importance in any surgical procedure.(AU)