QUESTION ABOUT PROLAPSED UTERUS

We recently acquired an 18-month old female American Bulldog who was somewhat neglected and put up for rescue because of her inability to breed. To our knowledge, she never had pups. She went into heat soon after we got her, and it became apparent why she had problems: she developed a prolapsed uterus with very prominent protrusion. We took her to the vet, who believed with 99.5% certaintly that spaying would solve the problem. (This seems to be the generally accepted method of dealing with this, according to our own research).

Unfortunately, a couple of weeks after spaying, the protrusion continued. The vet now believes that while it's possible that the problem could resolve itself with time, as the dog's hormones continue to drop, it probably won't. Originally, she had "tacked" the remainer of the uterus loosely, with dissolving sutures. She is now going to go back in and do another procedure and stitch things more tightly to a different location, with the hope that this will "hold."

The vet is telling us that if this second attempt doesn't work for some reason, she is "at a loss" because there's no literature out there on canine prolapsed uterus that isn't fixed by spaying. Aside from the dog potentially having a very unsightly cosmetic issue, she could also be prone to infections and other problems down the road, if the aforementioned procedure doesn't work.

We are very concerned. We haven't been with this vet for very long, and have some doubts about whether she has much experience with this problem. Or if perhaps she even "botched" the first attempt to correct this problem through spaying... We simply don't know, but we are also leery of the costs and risks of trying to "start over" with a new vet.

Anyone out there have experience with this problem, or in-depth knowledge about prolapsed uterus in dogs? Any impressions would be appreciated. Thanks. :?

 

get a new vet.....

 

hi and welcome boy there isnt much aout there on this problem, this is the only thing I found, hopefully someone esle here has some info. You might want to go to a different vet for a 2nd opinion


: I am inquiring for a friend. She has a 12 month old Mastiff diagnosed with vaginal prolapse. Can you forward any info on this matter, or refer me to a sight where I can obtain more info for her? Thank you, T.

A: Vaginal prolapses are often confused with vaginal hyperplasia, also known as vaginal edema. So the first thing to do is make sure it is a prolapse. Vaginal hyperplasia is treated by removing the protuding tissue surgically. Vaginal prolapse is more difficult to treat if retaining breeding ability is desired -- although this is considered to be a possibly inherited trait so there is some question about the advisability of breeding. Ovariohysterectomy (spaying) is usually curative. Some prolapse will regress on their own as the dog goes out of heat but it probably isn't a good idea to count on that if there is a significant prolapse. I have seen recommendations for treating this with gonadotrophic releasing hormone but do not know of the success rate. Surgical repair by entering the abdomen, retracting the prolapse and suturing the uterus to the body wall may work but it does make future breeding questionable and possibly even dangerous.

 

Maybe search around to see if you can find a reproductive specialist vet - as they will have more experience in that field. Good luck.
Jas

 

Why do you suggest this?

Can you give some specifics as to why you would advise this? Does it seem like the present vet has missed something?

 

I was wondering the same thing, Sam, where are you, Sam does breeding and resuces so she must have some insight into this. But I would still get a 2nd opinion

good luck on your pup

honeybear

 

Sorry I should have been more illaborate. Was leaving work and typing fast.! LOL
:shock:

First of all. From what You've told me, it doesn't seem like your vet is willing to do the reaserch to learn about this problem. Sara knows about it and its not as rare as you think. Most big bully breed dogs seem to have this trait. The Boerboel, Neopolitan Mastifs, St's, and Bulldogs tend to have this "inherited" trait. Basically any beed of animal with a "loose" skin and "loose Muscle attachment" can have this problem.

In cattle it occrs mostly in brangus, and Brahman cattle. Their muscles and skin are what we call "LOOSE" not tight and "firm". This inturn causes stress to "push" the uterous or rectum out side the body.

IT can be fixed by spay, where the WHOLE insides must be removed. THis includes the uterous.

In cattle this usually happens right before or during labor or after calving. The vet will usually push it back in. Suture the vagina closed (leaving enough to urinate) and withina period of time it will heal itself. THough the next time the cow gives birth. Its almost a guarentee she'll do it again. Therefore most cattle that have this problem are sold at auction for meat.

In dogs. There are specialists. Your vet should be more than willing to find one that can help you. Or do a total spay. Though more invasive and the risks are higher. It will fix the problem.

Now if shes prolapsing "rectally" then the colon can be attached to the body wall with permanant sutures. In that case, the dogs diet will have to be strict. Keeping the stool soft, and free from obstructions such as rawhide, bones, ect....

Sorry about your dog. She sounds like a sweetie. Do you have photos?

 

Yes Sam... Spay does take care of the whole issue done properly... A spay is like a complete human Hysterectomy as in EVERYTHING is removed that has ANYTHING to do with reproduction... Uterus is top on the list...ENTIRE uterus... This COULD be a vaginal prolapse in which a Spay may not be all that is needed...where the excess loose tissue can be removed or even a muscle attatchment can be made to get the vagina into a more stable position... Either way your vet isn't doing the job and is likely not capable... I'd find a mastiff or large breed type reproductive specialist etc... I don't think it'll be HARD and if you can't find that in a small animal vet I'd find yourself a good large animal vet to tackle the problem. It's seen WAY more often in cattle than in dogs and a large animal vet won't look at you like you're from mars when you present the problem... Likely they'll be more familiar with canine prolapse than the small animal vets are...

Sam is right that Prolapse is much more common than even most vets think and regarding what has been gathered by personal "studies" and observations...this IS somewhat genetically passed on... even in Cattle I beleive that's the idea. What we dont' know is who passes it on and how much of it is based on genetics rather than size and the "skin" issue... Certain lines of Boerboels are prone to Prolapse as some breeders of these lines have had horrible luck with it cropping up lots of times... My breeder and I have made a tenative hypothesis that it's passed on from Father to Daughter rather than Mother to Daughter... This dog should not be bred and if she is showing a true UTERINE prolapse she likely WAS bred in the passed...wether it came to term or not is questionable.

IF this is a rectal deal it may also be a rectal hernia that could present as a prolapse... I'd find myself a new vet that has had more experience with large breeds and reproduction. Talk to local breeders (good reputable ones) and see if they can give you the name of a good vet.

Good luck and I'd also like to see some pics.

 

THanks Sara. While talking with my vet (like I do almost daily) I presented this problem to him. He said for one, she should have had the entire "package" removed, Ovaries, felopian, uterous, and then "patched". To prevent further problems. It seems that your vet was trying to get away with doing a half A$$ job. and charging you full price.

Trust me I had this happen, and my dog ended up pregnant!!!

 

That's what I thought was probably what went on... Cutting away the excess and then that patch thing would take care of a Vaginal prolapse if in fact this is what you are having... It could be either/or and with both the same actions are taken.