Follow-up examinations of bitches after conservative treatment of pyometra with the antigestagen aglepristone

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic success of the medical treatment of canine pyometra with the antigestagen aglepristone and to document the recurrence rate in relation to the time interval after treatment with antigestagens. In 48 (92.8%) of the 52 treated bitches, healing could be achieved within the first 3 weeks after the treatment had been started. One bitch died as a result of renal insufficiency; in three bitches there was no emptying of the uterus, so ovariohysterectomy became necessary. In these three patients, ovarian and endometrial cysts were present. Forty-one bitches could be followed up for 3 months. Four animals developed a recurrence (9.8%). In three bitches ovarian cysts and cystic endometrial hyperlasia could be found intra operationem. The development of 37 bitches could be followed for at least 1 year. Seven animals developed a pyometra again (18.9%). Two received a repeated treatment with aglepristone and have been free from recurrence for over 12 months. In 37 animals data on the subsequent sex cycles are available. In 22 bitches next heat started at the expected time, in seven animals heat started too early. In eight bitches the period of anoestrus was prolonged. Five of the six bred bitches delivered at least one litter. The presented data show that treatment of pyometra by aglepristone results in a high healing rate. The recurrence rate can be minimized by the selection of bitches without ovarian cysts and cystic endometrial hyperplasia.