Despite its high frequency and clinical relevance, the pathogenesis of canine pyometra remains poorly understood. The most accepted hypothesis is that bacteria involved ascend from the intestinal tract, causing the uterine infection. Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) is the most frequent pathogen in canine pyometra, accounting for 57–100% of cases. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of phylogenetic groups and virulence factors in E. coli strains isolated from the uterine and rectal swabs of bitches with pyometra (n = 72) and from rectal swabs from healthy bitches fed commercial dry feed (n = 53) or a raw meat-based diet (RMBD; n = 38). A total of 512 strains of E. coli were isolated and divided into five categories according to the origin of the sample: 120 isolates from the uterine content of dogs with E. coli pyometra, 102 from the feces of bitches with E. coli pyometra, 75 from the feces of bitches without E. coli pyometra, 130 feces samples from healthy dogs fed commercial feed, and 85 feces samples from healthy dogs fed a raw meat-based diet. E. coli strains belonging to the B2 phylogroup and positive for virulence factor genes associated with adhesion (fimbriae type P [papC]) and production of toxins (α-hemolysin [hlyA] and uropathogenic specific protein [usp]) predominated in the uterine content and rectal swabs of bitches with E. coli pyometra. Interestingly, a lower growth rate of E. coli from the B2 phylogroup was observed in dogs fed a RMBD than in those fed commercial dry feed. The present study suggests that intestinal colonization by certain types of E. coli could be a risk factor for the occurrence of E. coli pyometra in bitches and that diet can influence intestinal colonization by such strains.

Despite its clinical relevance, the pathogenesis of canine pyometra remains poorly understood. To date, it is recognized as a non-transmissible infectious disease. In this study, the simultaneous occurrence of pyometra and Escherichia coli in two cohabitant female dogs underwent in-depth investigation due to the hypothesis of transmission between these animals. Two 5-year-old Chow Chow dogs (namely, dogs 23 and 24—D23 and D24) were referred to a veterinary hospital with suspected pyometra. Both animals showed prostration, anorexia, and purulent vulvar discharge over a 1-week period. After ovariohysterectomy, uterine tissue, uterine contents, and rectal swabs were collected for histopathological and microbiological analysis. Uterine histology demonstrated purulent material and multifocal necrosis with endometrial ulceration, and a morphological diagnosis of pyometra was confirmed. Furthermore, E. coli from the same phylogroup (B2) and positive for the same virulence factors with the same antimicrobial susceptibility profile was isolated from the uterine contents of both dogs and the rectum of D23. Conversely, the E. coli strains recovered from D24 differed in phylogroup (one isolate), virulence factors (all three isolates), and antimicrobial susceptibility (all three isolates). Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) suggested that all isolates from the uterine content of both dogs and the rectal swab of D23 were 100% the same, but different from all isolates in the rectal swab of D24. One isolate from the uterine content of each animal as well as rectal swabs were subjected to whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Both whole-genome multilocus sequence typing(wgMLST) and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis supported the hypothesis that the isolates from the uterine content of both animals and the rectal swab of D23 were clonal. Taken together, these clinical features, pathology, microbiology, and molecular findings suggest, to the best of our knowledge, the first transmission of E. coli associated with pyometra between two animals. These results could impact the management of sites where several females cohabit in the same local area such as kennels.

Pulmonary loborraphy can be performed using manual sutures and staples, although other methods, such as tissue adhesives, are also cited in the veterinary literature. Although the surgery is well tolerated in the canine species, failure in pulmonary aerostasis is still a reality since all the methods described so far eventually lead to air leakage after the use of the partial lobectomy technique in the lungs. Within this context, the aim of this research was to compare the effectiveness of different hermetic sealing methods after partial lobectomy of the right caudal lung lobe (RCLL) in dogs. 30 cadavers models were divided in 6 groups: G1—cobbler suture associated with simple continuous; G2—overlapping continuous suture associated with simple continuous suture; G3—Ford interlocking suture; G4—Stapling device; G5—Tissue glue (cyanoacrylate). After performing the sealing techniques, the lungs were submerged in water and inflated with oxygen at positive ventilatory pressures at physiological (up to 14.7 mmHg, which is equivalent to up to 20 cmH₂O) and supraphysiological levels (above 14.7 mmHg) to evaluate the performance of the sealing methods. At physiological ventilatory pressure levels, there was no difference between groups. Sealing with surgical glue was superior to interlocking sutures and stapling devices at supraphysiological levels of ventilatory pressure.

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is the persistent increase of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) that could be caused by several pathologies. It is capable of promoting organ dysfunction, thereby increasing the mortality rate of human patients. As for cats and dogs, there are still few reports on how this pressure can be monitored and treated as a routine for admitted and hospitalized animals and on its relationship with the mortality of the patients. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to report a case of IAH secondary to chronic diaphragmatic rupture in a dog, which was treated with a temporary abdominal closure (TAC). A bitch was admitted to the veterinary hospital to undergo an elective ovariohysterectomy when it was diagnosed with a diaphragmatic rupture and displacement of the liver and intestinal loops in the chest. After repositioning these structures in the abdominal cavity, tension was observed in the abdomen. A temporary abdominal closure was then performed with a Bogota bag. Immediately after the surgery, the IAP was measured, presenting a value of 15 mmHg, indicating that there was an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. The animal was hospitalized, and IAP was monitored. After 24 hours, IAP was 5.8 mmHg when the Bogota bag was removed, and definitive celiorraphy was performed. The patient showed satisfactory clinical progress and was discharged 72 hours after the surgical procedure. The treatment used for IAH proved to be effective and contributed to the quick and satisfactory recovery of the patient.