OBSTETRICAL MANAGEMENT OF UTERINE RUPTURE CAUSED BY EMPHYSEMATOUS FETUSES IN A MONGREL BITCH

A four-year-old mongrel bitch was presented with a history of foul-smelling greenish-black vaginal discharge and whelped four puppies three days earlier. Clinical, ultrasonographic and radiological examinations confirmed a diagnosis of foetal remnants with emphysematous changes. During a midventral laparotomy, a uterine rupture at the dorsal curvature of the left uterine horn was identified and two deceased foetuses were removed. Ovariohysterectomy was performed at the owner’s request as per standard surgical procedure. The bitch was treated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and supportive therapy, alongside surgical wound care. The bitch made an uneventful recovery.