Surgical management of foetal maceration in a 1½-year-old Dwarf Russian shepherd Bitch

Imaben Grace Opaluwa-Kuzayed; Iliya Paul Sambo; Gyarazama Jemimah Yohannah; Joel Japhet Kalang; Ajani Jimoh Ayinla

doi:10.5455/JRVS.20240829113200

Abstract
Foetal maceration is a pregnancy pathology that occurs as a result of Intra-uterine Foetal Death (IUFD). It occurs when the foetus fails to abort and decomposition occur in-utero leaving the foetal bones. The pathogenicity of the putrefying organism determines the degree of decomposition. There have been reports of foetal maceration in various species of animal but it rarely occurs in the bitch. In this case, a 1½-year-old dwarf Russian Shepherd bitch weighing 16.6 kg was brought to the Small Animal Clinic (SAC) of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Jos with a chief complaint of inappetance and weakness. The bitch was artificially inseminated over 60 days ago and had been passing out brown vaginal discharges about 3 days prior to presentation. The temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate were all within normal values. A radiographic examination showed fetuses in the uterus, based on the findings, a case of fetal maceration was diagnosed and hysterotomy was indicated. Post surgically, systemic antibiotics was administered, periodic care of the wound was encouraged. No complications were encountered post surgically while stiches were removed fourteen days later. Maceration is not regularly seen in dogs; therefore veterinarians should always be abreast with issues of maceration while utilizing ultrasound scan to aid diagnosis.

Key words: Foetus, maceration, surgery, bitch, dwarf