A Clinical Case of Foetal Maceration and Posttraumatic Uterine Rupture in a Bitch

A clinical case of uterine rupture following external trauma and macerated foetuses, which were diagnosed 20 days after parturition and without signs of sepsis in a 10-year-old Bulgarian Scenthound bitch is described. On physical examination, there were no changes in the general condition of the animal. Complete blood counts and blood biochemistry results did not show any deviations from reference values and did not indicate sepsis development. After ultrasonography, foetal debris was observed and radiography confirmed the presence of parts of two foetuses in the abdominal cavity. Median laparotomy revealed macerated foetus (hair and bones) in the abdominal cavity, ruptured left uterine horn near to the bifurcation and a macerated foetus inside the horn. Due to the adhesions between the omentum and the uterus and pathological alterations of the uterine wall in the ruptured area, ovariohysterectomy was performed. The clinical examination had been performed for ten days until the bitch showed good recovery.