Vaginal Cytology: Estrous Cycle for Dogs

Question 1

What stage is this?

1. Also known as metestrus
2. History of recent estrus
3. Vulvar swelling and discharge decreased, no longer attracts males
4. Smear
   - Parabasal cells and intermediate cells increase
5. WBC/RBC
   - Neutrophils present
   - RBC may be seen
6. Early stage will be difficult to determine with one smear
7. 2-3 months

Answer 1

Diestrus

Question 2

What stage is this?

1. Swollen vulva, pinkish to straw colored discharge
2. Accepts and attracts males
3. Smear
   - Neutrophils absent
   - Background is clear
4. RBC
   - not usually seen in this stage
5. 95% or more of cells are superficial.
   - Some may not have a nucleus at all
6. Bacteria
   - May or may not be numerous and adhere to the surface of the superficial cells
   - Not accompanies by leukocytes unless inflammation exists
7. 4-13 days, average 9 days

Answer 2

Estrus

Question 3

What stage is this?

1. Swollen vulva, reddish vulvar discharge
2. Attracts males but not accepting
3. Smear
   - Neutrophils
   - RBC
   - Parabasal, intermediate, and superficial cells
4. Background of Smear
   - may be dirty blue caused by mucus
   - Bacteria are frequently seen
5. Toward the end, neutrophils and RBC decrease and itermediate and superficial cells increase/ are predominate
6. 4-20 days (average 9 days)

Answer 3

Proestrus

Question 4

What stage is this?

1. No vulvar swelling, does not attract males
2. Parabasal and intermediate cells are the predominant cells
3. Absence of superficial cells and RBC
4. Neutrophils and bacteria may or may not be present
5. Variable in length but generally lasts less than 4.5 months

Answer 4

Anestrus