Microbiological and clinicopathological findings of uterine infections in canine patients treated in veterinary clinics in Rivas, Nicaragua

Abstract

Pyometra is a common pathology among canines, characterized by the accumulation of purulent material in the uterus, usually associated with bacterial infections. This study aims to describe the intestinal microbiological infections present in canines attending veterinary clinics in the municipality of Rivas, Nicaragua, from May to September 2024. A cross-sectional study was conducted in canines diagnosed with pyometra, including bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing, hematological analysis, and histopathology. The results identified Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Escherichia coli as the main bacterial agents. These showed significant resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, while enrofloxacin and gentamicin were found to be the most effective treatments. The use of medroxyprogesterone was identified as a predominant risk factor in the studied cases. Clinically, affected animals presented macrocytic hypochromic anemia, marked leukocytosis with neutrophilia, and characteristic signs such as purulent vulvar discharge and abdominal distension. This study highlights the importance of diagnosis based on bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity testing for the appropriate management of pyometra, as well as the need to reconsider the use of contraceptive hormones as a significant risk factor.