Problems in Spayed/Neutered Animals

Question 1

What are 2 diagnostic tests that could easily diagnose ovarian remnants?

Answer 1

1. vaginal cytology
2. serum LH or AMH levels

Question 2

T/F: when removing ovarian remnants, you should always submit for histopath

Answer 2

true

Question 3

what diagnostic tests can help you determine whether a dog is castrated or a cryptorchid?

Answer 3

1. LH or AMH levels
2. ultrasound (look for inguinal or abdominal testis)

In cats, look and see if they have spines on their penis indicating that testosterone is present

Question 4

What is the transmission for brucella canis?

Answer 4

semen, mucosal secretions, and/or abortive secretions

Question 5

why does brucella canis cause abortion?

Answer 5

placentitis

Question 6

T/F: brucellosis is non-treatable for breeding stock and reportable in most states.

Answer 6

true

Question 7

T/F: carriers of brucella canis are asymptomatic

Answer 7

true

Question 8

what 2 tests can provide absolute confirmation of brucellosis?

Answer 8

1. culture
2. PCR

Question 9

what test is a good screening test for brucellosis?

Answer 9

slide test (D-TEC CB from Synbiotics)

Question 10

What test for brucellosis can rule out false positives?

Answer 10

AGID – brucella agar gel immunodiffusion II test

Question 11

T/F: Dogs positive for smooth strains of brucella were found to be less likely to be spayed or neutered

Answer 11

false – MORE likely to be spayed/neutered.

Question 12

what is the incidence of prostatic neoplasia in dogs?

Answer 12

0.02-0.09%
equal frequency in castrated and intact male dogs.

Question 13

what are the 2 types of prostatic neoplasias that are highly aggressive and metastatic in male dogs?

Answer 13

adenocarcinoma
transitional cell carcinoma

these are treated with palliative therapy.

Question 14

what is the cause of puppy vaginitis?

Answer 14

the body is reacting to its own normal flora in the pre-pubertal period.

Question 15

what happens if we do NOT treat puppy vaginitis with simple, benign neglect?

Answer 15

we create resistance!

r/o concurrent cystitis and then treat with benign neglect to avoid creating resistant infections.

Question 16

T/F: it is appropriate to spay a puppy prior to resolution of puppy vaginitis because the infection will resolve once hormone-influence is removed.

Answer 16

false – postpone the spay until the vaginitis resolves because estrogen upregulates the immune system.

Question 17

T/F: puppy vaginitis usually goes away with the first estrus

Answer 17

true

Question 18

T/F: adult-onset vaginitis is primarily seen in intact bitches

Answer 18

false – spayed bitches

Question 19

what do you need to rule out in suspected cases of adult-onset vaginitis?

Answer 19

1. skin disease (perivulvar dermatitis)
2. anatomic issues (inverted juvenile vulva)
3. urinary tract infections
4. foreign bodies
5. tumors

Question 20

what are the treatment options for adult-onset vaginitis?

Answer 20

1. hormonal – DES (incurin/estriol) to thicken vaginal epithelium
2. surgery (episioplasty) indicated in cases refractory to medical tx
3. probiotics in all cases

Question 21

If a dog presents to you for “abnormal” vaginal bleeding according to the owners, what 2 diagnostics should you do first and why?

Answer 21

1. vaginal cytology (FIRST) – to look for estrogenic influence
2. digital exam (SECOND)

+/- vaginoscopy

Question 22

T/F: research has shown that the age of sterilization makes no difference in relation to affecting urethral diameter in cats

Answer 22

true

Question 23

T/F: the risk of developing mammary neoplasia far outweighs the risk of feline upper urinary tract disease or diabetes mellitus in cats

Answer 23

true

there is increased risk of FLUTD and DM, but mammary neoplasia is MUCH more of a risk

Question 24

T/F: spayed/neutered cats live longer than intact cats

Answer 24

true

Question 25

T/F: male cats not intended for breeding should be castrated prior to sexual maturity and can be done as young as 6-9 weeks of age.

Answer 25

true

Question 26

What are the 3 benefits to castrating male dogs?

Answer 26

1. decreased incidence of testicular neoplasia (incidence = 0.9%)
2. decreased incidence of non-neoplastic prostrate disease (BPH, incidence 75-80%)
3. increased lifespan

Question 27

What are the 7 possible detriments to castration in male dogs?

Answer 27

1. increased incidence of prostatic neoplasia
2. increased incidence of
   transitional cell carcinoma
3. increased incidence of osteosarcoma (in certain breeds)
4. increased incidence of hemangiosarcoma (in certain breeds)
5. increased incidence of CCL injury (incidence 1.8%)
6. obesity
7. increased incidence of diabetes mellitus (possibly)

all of the neoplasias have very low incidence, but have high mortality.

Question 28

what are the 4 benefits to OHE in female dogs?

Answer 28

1. decreased incidence of mammary neoplasia (esp if OHE before first heat)
2. eliminates ovarian neoplasia risk
3. eliminates uterine neoplasia risk
4. eliminates pyometra risk

Question 29

What are 8 detriments associated with spaying female dogs?

Answer 29

1. increased incidence of transitional cell carcinoma
2. increased incidence of osteosarcoma (in some breeds)
3. increases incidence of hemagiosarcoma (in some breeds)
4. increased incidence of cutaneous mast cell tumors
5. increased incidence of CCL injury
6. obesity
7. diabetes mellitus
8. increased incidence of estrogen-responsive urinary incontinence.

Question 30

which 2 canine conditions have high incidence and high mortality and can be prevented by spaying?

Answer 30

mammary neoplasia
pyometra

Question 31

T/F: obesity is a significant detriment of gonadectomy in both species and sexes.

Answer 31

true