Hafnia paralvei ISOLATED FROM AN EMPHYSEMATOUS PYOMETRA IN A BITCH

Abstract

We report the case of a 9-year-old female Labrador retriever, presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a history of bloody/purulent and malodourous vulvar discharge, decreased appetite and progressive abdominal enlargement for about 20 days. Clinical examination showed a distended and painful abdomen and tympanic sounds on percussion. The patient also presented systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and a leukemoid reaction with leukocyte count of 77.9 x 109/L due to 62.32 x 109/L lymphocytes. The abdominal radiography showed distended tubular structures occupying most of the abdomen; dorsal displacement of the colon in the left-right lateral projection was also found. The ultrasonographic study also revealed tubular structures in the mid-abdomen that contained flowing fluid presenting mixed echogenicity and hyperechoic particles in suspension. The exploratory celiotomy showed that the uterine horns were distended and contained a mixture of gas and liquid, hence an ovariohysterectomy was performed. The uterine fluid was collected with aseptic technique into a syringe and submitted to the clinical pathology laboratory for aerobic and anaerobic culture and antibiotic sensitivity. Hafnia alvei (now classified as Hafnia paralvei ) was identified as the causative bacterial agent. Pyometra caused by gas-producing bacteria is a rare condition and is known as emphysematous pyometra. There are only six reports in the literature of this condition in bitches. A wide range of vaginal bacteria has been found in dogs with pyometra, but to our knowledge this is the first report of emphysematous pyometra caused by Hafnia paralvei in dogs.