Effect of vaginal fold prolapse occurrence in a pregnant bitch on parturition process

Abstract

Vaginal prolapse is defined as a protrusion of edematous vaginal tissue into the vaginal lumen and often through the vulvar lips of the bitches. Vaginal prolapse is frequently related to the increase in plasma estrogen level during the proestrus, estrus period and at the end of the pregnancy. In the pregnant bitches, however, vaginal prolapse is a rare condition. The objective of this case was to determine the effect vaginal fold prolapse events occurred during the last period of pregnancy on parturition. This article describes a 1-year-old Dogo Argentino bitch, weighing 29kg, presented due to vaginal prolapse which occurred during the last trimester of pregnancy. On clinical examination, the case was diagnosed as vaginal fold prolapse with about diameter of 50mm. Transabdominal ultrasonography was performed to evaluate the bitch's pregnancy status and revealed live fetuses in the uterus. The bitch and fetuses were healthy in performed examinations. And then the vaginal mass was cleaned and placed into normal position. Blood samples were taken for hematological tests. The results of complete blood count were within normal range. Serum estradiol and progesterone levels were 6.93 pg/ml and 23.27 ng/ml, respectively. Parturition was started spontaneously 58 days after mating and a healthy puppy was born. Unborn puppies were detected and C-section was performed. Seven live puppies were removed from the uterus. In conclusion; it was determined that the vaginal fold prolapse event that occurred during the last period of pregnancy was no effect to start of parturition. And also, it was concluded that monitoring of the parturition process would be beneficial for the health of the mother and the puppies.