Figure 1: Pyometra in a 10-month-old female rat (Chubbs).
Case history and photos
History
Patient: Chubbs
Age: 10 months
Sex: Female
Weight: 427g
Initial consult and diagnosis: 24.3.03
Rat presents with a swollen abdomen. Owner thinks rat is possibly pregnant, but has been swollen for ages so this is unlikely. Rat x-rayed. Results show abdomen full of fluid – no fetuses’. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of left side of abdomen reveals pus. No free fluid in the abdomen. Suspect pyometra as pus is seen coming out of vulva.
 Photo 1: X-ray of abdomen. *Note: This radiographic image of a rat shows the presence of human fingers positioning the rat. It is worth mentioning for safety reasons, when performing this procedure, proper distancing or protective equipment should be utilized. |
Initial treatment:
Given Metacam for pain and started on the antibiotic, Baytril. Rat will likely need surgery.
At this time the rat is active and bar. chest is clear. Rat sent home with owner on Baytril liquid bid (twice a day). The owner also states has noticed that rat is not defecating much – faeces was normal, no diarrhea, but I think this is due to the bowels being pushed out of way from the massive uterus. Surgery scheduled.
Surgery: 28.3.03
Given premed 0.15ml midazolam, iso/o2 masked down.
Metacam given sc (subq), ventral incision midline – large uterine horn filled with pus, multiple adhesions of peritoneum over the mass and also a loop of small intestine. Tied off and removed adhesions from the bowel. Sutured the omentum of bowel where was torn. Some haem. Bowel looks OK, hopefully blood supply not compromised. Sutured muscle with 4/0 vicryl and skin also 4/0 vicryl. Filled abdomen with warmed hartmanns (Lactated Ringer’s), and 0.1 mL Baytril. Very guarded prognosis. Rest of abdomen is fine. Liver looks a bit pale but all other organs look fine. Home on Baytril. Very weak and has lost a large amount of weight suddenly. Is very thin. Instructed owner to feed up and keep warm and quiet.
Outcome: 12.5.03
The rat is doing well, eating well, putting on lots of weight.
Photos
 Photo 2: Isofluorane gas being given. |
 Photo 3: Pus-filled uterus. |
 Photo 4: Another view of uterus. Weight of uterus/pus = 180g . |
 Photo 5: Sutured and ready to recover. |
 Photo 6: Size comparison of pus-filled uterus shown next to coin. |
 Photo 7: Uterus and pus. |
Case history and photos provided by Dr Larissa Ladyko B.V.Sc, via courtesy of Robyn Arthur.
