Canine: Breeding soundness examination of the bitch (Proceedings)

The examination should begin with a complete history in regard to the previous uses and the previous breeding experiences and outcomes if available. The general history should specifically include any information which is related to injuries or illnesses which could have an effect on reproduction. These conditions could have occurred at any time in the animal's life. It is important to know the length of ownership and the accuracy of a history given based on information prior to ownership. It is also important to know the results, if any, of diagnostic tests, which have been previously performed as well as the current vaccination, deworming and heartworm protection history.

The physical examination should include a visual, auscultory and palpable examination of the entire animal especially looking for those characteristics which are known to be inherited. The animal should be observed for gait as she enters the examination room to note if front or rear limb abnormalities are present which may decrease her desirability as a breeder. This is the best opportunity we have to do genetic consulting with owners involving the female dog prior to breeding and the importance of not using females which have genetic abnormalities. It is known that all owners will not heed our advice and it becomes our choice as to whether to assist in a mating of an animal with genetic flaws.

The next portion of the physical examination is the determination of normalacy of the reproductive system. This examination should include palpation of the uterus if possible and/or ultrasonographic examination or radiographs may also be beneficial and examination of the vulva for normal placement and size. It is also important to note the size of the clitoris. Examination of the vagina may include digital, speculum, and/or endoscopic evaluation depending on the history. The mammary chain should be examined by palpation.

A brucella canis serology test should be performed on all breeding animals at least once per year. This can be a screening test and a titer requested if the screening test is positive. Thyroid profiles should be performed on all dogs presented for subfertility or infertility. Vaginal cytology can be used to estimate progression toward first day of estrus in bitch and to correlate endocrinological and behavioral states in the bitch that has been subfertile or infertile. But most importantly, it should be used to determine infectious or inflammatory conditions of the reproductive tract. There is no other diagnostic test to take the place of vaginal cytology for this purpose.

Bacterial cultures of the vagina have diagnostic value as part of a breeding soundness examination as long as the history and vaginal cytology are taken into consideration when considering the results of the culture.

Bacteria are normally present in the canine vagina. Therefore, it is imperative to distinguish the contaminants from the pathogens. Guarded swabs should always be used to avoid picking up more contaminants from the vulva, vestibule, vestibular and sphincter. It is recommended to take the culture before cytology if one thinks it may be needed so further contamination does not occur. Obtain the culture before obtaining the cytologic sample. The interpretation of the culture should be based on the presence of cytologic changes indicating that an inflammatory condition exists in the reproductive tract. A sample indicating the presence of a pathogen without supporting evidence of a problem does not indicate a problem exists.

The uterus should have no bacteria present within the lumen. Cultures can only be taken through the myometrium at the time of an exploratory as it is currently not possible to pass a guarded instrument through the cervix of the non-estrous bitch to obtain an adequate sample. The purpose of the exploratory is not only to culture the uterus but also to examine the reproductive tract digitally and visually. This is to include palpation of the oviducts, which may be blocked and cannot generally be determined by visualization since there is no increase in size of the structure. A biopsy of the uterus should be taken during the exploratory since the condition of the endometrium is valuable information. It is important to obtain endometrial tissue as sometimes the biopsy obtained consists only of myometrial tissue and is of no value. An incision is made into the myometrium and endometrium and the uterine lumen exposed. The biopsy sample is taken and placed in preservative. A sterile cotton swab is inserted into the lumen and pushed gently down the horn toward the ovary. This sample is placed in transport media and sent to the laboratory or placed on a culture plate and broth for bacterial determination.

The endocrine assays that may be of value include the following. Progesterone concentration determinations are of most value during the period of late proestrus and diestrus. They may be of value at other times by ruling out the presence of increased quantities of progesterone indicating the absence of a corpus luteum. Estradiol 17-beta concentrations are of limited value except for the last 2 to 4 weeks of anestrus, proestrus, and early estrus when the concentrations are elevated. Thyroid profiles may be of value if a hypothyroid condition is suspected as a cause of subfertility or infertility. An example would be failure to cycle normally.