The purpose of this study was to determine whether intravaginal
prostaglandin F2 alpha (
PGF2 alpha) would be effective for the treatment of metritis or
pyometra in the bitch. Seventeen bitches with metritis or
pyometra were treated with
PGF2 alpha.
Prostaglandin F2 alpha (150 micrograms/kg
body weight) was administered once or twice daily by infusing 0.3 ml per 10 kg body wt into the vaginal lumen. Bitches were also treated with
amoxicillin (15 mg/kg body wt/48 h) and/or
gentamicin (4 mg/kg body wt/day) administered as intramuscular (i.m.)
injections. Fifteen bitches were treated successfully with intravaginally administered
PGF2 alpha for 3 to 12 days and with intramuscularly administered
antibiotics for 4 to 12 days. Success of treatment was judged by cessation of
vaginal discharge, the absence of fluid in the uterus as determined by ultrasonography, and the overall health status of the animal. As two bitches with
pyometra showed
clinical deterioration in spite of medical treatment, ovariohysterectomy was performed after the first and the second treatment, respectively. No side effects (salivation,
vomiting, diarrhoea, hyperpnoea,
ataxia, urination, anxiety, pupillary dilatation followed by contraction) were observed after
PGF2 alpha treatment. The disease did not recur during the subsequent oestrous cycles within 12 months after the initial treatment. The results demonstrate that
intravaginal administration of
PGF2 alpha was effective in 13 dogs (86.6%) with metritis or
pyometra, and caused no side effects. Although the study was based on a relatively small number of cases, it is concluded that
prostaglandin F2 alpha can be a useful means of treating bitches with metritis or
pyometra. However, in severe cases of
pyometra ovariohysterectomy is needed.