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Pyometra in a Jersey crossbred cow - Diagnosis and treatment

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Explor Anim Med Res, ISSN 2277- 470X (Print), ISSN 2319-247X (Online)
Vol. 8, Issue - 1, 2018, p. 97-99 Website: www.animalmedicalresearch.org

Short Communication

PYOMETRA IN A JERSEY CROSSBRED COW - DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Akshay Sharma*, Madhumeet Singh, Pravesh Kumar, Amit Sharma, Aaqib Majid Jan,
Aanchal Sharma, Amit Kashyap, Anupama Thakur, Pinki Saini, Shriya Gupta
Received 12 January 2018, revised 08 May 2018

ABSTRACT: The present report focuses on the diagnosis of pyometra and salpingitis by the use of transrectal
ultrasonography and its successful treatment with administration of PGF2α at 72 hr intervals.

Key words: Bilateral pyosalpinx, Jersey crossbred cow, PGF2α, Pyometra, Transrectal ultrasonography.

Pyometra is characterized by a pus filled uterus in the ultrasonography (TRUS), echogenic pus inside the uterine
presence of a corpus luteum (CL), a closed cervix and horns and corpus luteum on the ovary was clearly evident.
failure to express estrus (Sheldon et al. 2006). However, Pyosalpinx was also diagnosed during TRUS (Fig. 1 and
cervical lumen is not completely occluded and the Fig. 2). The treatment of cow was done by repeatedly
purulent discharge can be noticed in the vagina when the administering 500 µg PGF2α analogue (Cloprostenol;
animal lies down, urinates or defecates in some cases Zydus Animal Health Ltd.) intramuscularly on day 1, 4,
(Praveen Raj et al. 2015). Also, pyometra can be 7, 10, 13 (72 hr intervals) after diagnosis. Administration
considered as a sub-set of endometritis where cows of Ciprofloxacin (C-Flox Power; Intas Pharmaceuticals
ovulate in the presence of a contaminated uterus Ltd.) @ 5 mg/kg body weight intramuscularly was done
(Chapwanya 2008). An increased amount of pathogenic for first 5 days after diagnosis. TRUS was conducted on
bacteria reside within the uterus when the corpus luteum a weekly interval to assess the efficacy of the treatment.
forms and results in pyometra (Noakes et al. 1990). Final examination was done on day 42 which revealed
Pyosalpinx refers to presence of pus in one or both the normal size of both uterine horns (Fig. 3) and CL
fallopian tubes. Infection may start from vagina and present was also normal in size and was not persistent
progress up to the cervix, uterus and to one or both during next estrous cycle (Fig. 4). However, cow failed
fallopian tubes, if not diagnosed and treated at earlier to conceive during next few estrous cycle as pyosalpinx
stages (Shivhare et al. 2012). Prolongation of the luteal was present.
phase may be attributed to increased concentrations of
luteotrophic prostaglandin (PGE 2) associated with Discussion
endometrial bacterial infection (LeBlanc 2008). The Diagnosis of pyometra by transrectal ultrasonography
present report emphasizes on the diagnosis and successful is based on the appearance of increased volume of
treatment of pyometra but failure to conceive due to accumulated echogenic uterine content without fetus and
bilateral pyosalpinx. cotyledons, closed cervix and corpus luteum on the ovary
(Bon Durant 1999, Sheldon et al. 2006). Pyometra is
Case details characterized by the presence of corpus luteum on ovary
A pluriparous cow with a history of clinical and accumulation of fluid of mixed echo-density in the
endometritis was examined at University dairy farm, uterine lumen and distention of the uterus on
DGCN COVAS, Palampur and was diagnosed with ultransonographic examination (Manns et al. 1985).
pyometra. Last calving of the cow was reported 8 months Common treatment followed is administration of PGF2α.
ago. Ultrasonographic examination of fallopian tubes Treatment of endometritis with PGF2α or a synthetic
indicated the presence of pus in it. During transrectal analogue is done to stimulate uterine defense mechanisms

Department of Veterinary Gynecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Himachal Pradesh
Agricultural University, Palampur – 176062, India.
*Corresponding author. e-mail: [email protected]

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 Exploratory Animal and Medical Research, Vol.8, Issue 1, June, 2018

Fig. 1. Snowy (echogenic) appearance indicating presence Fig. 2. Image showing CL; (A) showing TD (20.5 mm)
of pus in the left uterine horn; (A) showing TD (37.3 mm); and (B) showing LD (13.6 mm); black arrow indicating
(B) showing endometrial thickness (7.6 mm) on day 1. pyosalpinx in the left fallopian tube on day 1.

Fig. 3. Transverse section of both uterine horns after Fig. 4. Image showing CL and follicle: (C) showing TD
PGF2α treatment showing decrease in size as well as no (12.4 mm) and (D) showing LD (10.6 mm) of CL; (A)
echogenic material was present; black arrow indicating showing TD (1.22cm) and (B) showing LD (10.7 mm) of
perimetritis which is a squeal of pyometra on day 42. follicle; black arrow indicating pyosalpinx in the left
fallopian tube on day 42.
by destroying the corpus luteum and removing the
progesterone source (Hendricks et al. 2006). The decrease [TS = Transverse Section, LD = Longitudinal Diameter, TD
in progesterone and increase in estrogen concentrations = Transverse Diameter, CL=Corpus Luteum].
associated with luteolysis and follicular growth result in
maximal resistance of the uterus to bacterial infection. regression of persistent CL. However, early diagnosis
Also, PGF2α has the least harmful effects and milk does should be done to prevent the chances of infection to
not have to be discarded (Praveen Raj et al. 2015). ascend and infertility.
Conception failure due to tubal blockage is either because
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*Cite this article as: Sharma A, Singh M, Kumar P, Sharma A, Majid Jan A, Sharma A, Kashyap A, Thakur A, Saini P, Gupta S
(2018) Pyometra in a Jersey crossbred cow - diagnosis and treatment. Explor Anim Med Res 8(1): 97-99.

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