[Ultrasonographic study on uterine involution following induction of abortion in bitch]

Based on our knowledge, there have been no ultrasonographic studies on uterine involution following induction of abortion in the bitch. To evaluate ultrasonographic features of uterine involution following induction of abortion. In a concurrent study, pregnancy was terminated in 6 bitches in the third trimester of pregnancy by ultrasound guided induced fetal death. Ultrasonographic examination of the reproductive tract was carried out after the day of complete abortion up to complete uterine involution, in which uterine dimensions were unchanged within two consecutive evaluations. Uterine shape, size, and echogenicity as well as wall layering were evaluated in ultrasonographic evaluations, and mean values were measured in both placental and interplacental regions. Ultrasonographic features revealed that, uterine wall is detected on ultrasound images having six different layers on the basis of its echogenicity. Wall layering was very explicit and distinct within the first week after abortion and lost its distinction in the course of uterine involution. On the day after abortion, placental regions measured approximately twice the size of the uterus in interplacental areas. In the first week, the mean values of the placental and interplacental thickness were 2.11 +/- 0.31cm and 1.12 +/- 0.20 cm respectively, measured in uterine horns. After the third week, the placental and interplacental regions lost their distinction and thickness. In the last two weeks, uterine horns were almost equal in dimension in every part. The time of complete involution varied amongst these 6 different bitches, being in the 6[th], 8[th], 9[th], 10[th], and 13[th] week after the induction of abortion. The findings of this study could be a basis for ultrasonographic evaluation of abnormal uterine structures and also detection of uterine involution time after abortion or parturition

[Selective reduction of fetuses in the bitch using induction of fetal death by ultrasound guidance]

Unwanted pregnancy termination is a big issue for dog owners. In this study we attempted to reduce the number of fetuses in pregnant bitches through ultrasound-guided induced fetal death. The study was performed on 6 privately owned crossbred pregnant bitches, in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, with variable number of fetuses [n=2 to 8]. Fetal death was induced by transabdominal injection of potassium chloride [KCl] into the fetal cardiac chamber under ultrasonographic guidance. While selective fetal reduction was successfully achieved in 4 bitches [66.6%] 2 bitches showed complete pregnancy termination. Data presented in this research provide evidence for possible use of this technique in order to selectively reduce the number of fetuses without whole pregnancy termination in the bitch. Ultrasound-guided induced fetal death seems to be a safe procedure and a viable method for reducing the number of fetuses with no side effect in the bitch