Background and Aim: Canine pyometra, either the closed (closed pyometra [CP]) or open (open pyometra [OP]) cervix type, is a frequent uterine disease in intact old age bitches. Therefore, early diagnosis and appropriate medical and surgical treatments are crucial to avoid the life-threatening condition in these bitches. This study aimed to investigate clinical alterations, blood parameters, causative bacteria, antimicrobial susceptibility, and uterine histopathology obtained during aseptic surgical treatment on bitches with pyometra. Materials and Methods: Sixty bitches of various breeds and ages with presumptive pyometra diagnoses were included in the study. The diagnoses were based on history, clinical examination, blood parameters, radiography, and ultrasonography. All pyometra bitches were ovariohysterectomized as an emergency surgical treatment. In addition, uterine content and tissues were submitted for bacterial isolation, antimicrobial susceptibility, and uterine histopathological analysis. Results: Except for abdominal CP distention, no specific clinical signs were linked to the pyometra type. The mean values of total white blood cell count (WBC) and plasma protein were predominantly raised in pyometra bitches regarding hematological parameters. Leukocytosis was found in both types; however, the WBC in CP was markedly higher than in OP. The mean value of blood urea nitrogen increased in the CP group. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli were the most frequent causative bacteria isolated in CP and OP, respectively. All isolated bacteria were 100% susceptible to imipenem, meropenem, and carbapenem. Marbofloxacin was the second most effective drug against isolated bacteria from both groups. Uncomplicated cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) was not presented in the CP group. CEH and chronic endometritis (type IV), the most severe uterine histopathological changes, were discovered in the CP and OP. Conclusion: The CP and OP groups presented leukocytosis, increased plasma protein, and CEH and chronic endometritis. Depression, abdominal distention, and enlarged uterine size were the major characteristics of the CP group. Furthermore, abdominal distension is presented in other abnormalities in clinical practices, providing a differential diagnosis. Drugs in the carbapenem group were the most effective against isolated bacteria; however, they are not routinely used due to bacterial resistance concerns. Thus, marbofloxacin was recommended as an alternative medical treatment because it is convenient to manage by both oral and injection routes.

The most common neoplasms in intact female dogs are CMGTs. BmKn-2, an antimicrobial peptide, is derived from scorpion venom and has published anticancer effects in oral and colon human cancer cell lines. Thus, it is highly likely that BmKn-2 could inhibit CMGT cell lines which has not been previously reported. This study investigated the proliferation and apoptotic properties of BmKn-2 via Bax and Bcl-2 relative gene expression in two CMGT cell lines, metastatic (CHMp-5b) and non-metastatic (CHMp-13a). The results showed that BmKn-2 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in the CMGT cell lines. The cell morphology clearly changed and increased apoptosis in a dose dependent of manner. The half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was 30 µg/mL for CHMp-5b cell line and 54 µg/mL for CHMp-13a cell line. The induction of apoptosis was mediated through Bcl-2 and Bax expression after BmKn-2 treatment. In conclusion, BmKn-2 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in both CHMp-5b and CHMp-13a cell lines via down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax relative mRNA expression. Therefore, BmKn-2 could be feasible as candidate treatment for CMGTs.

Prostatic disorders are commonly observed in older, intact male dogs and have been a primary etiological factor in the development of PH. Limited literature exists regarding correcting PH with castration in dogs suffering from prostatic disorders, including the management and long-term clinical outcomes. This retrospective study aimed to describe the management of prostatic disorders and evaluate outcomes and recurrence following perineal herniorrhaphy with castration. A total of 315 intact male dogs that underwent perineal herniorrhaphy associated with prostatic disorders were classified into two groups: a castrated (PHC; n = 184) and a non-castrated group (PHNC; n = 131). The clinical signs of the PHC group showed significant improvement in the postoperative, short- and long-term follow-up phases (p < 0.001). The enlargement of the prostate gland, heterogeneous parenchyma, and intraparenchymal cystic lesions were observed to be less prevalent in the PHC compared to the other group (p < 0.001). The incidence of recurrent PH showed no significant differences (p = 0.5). In conclusion, castration combined with perineal herniorrhaphy offers significant advantages for improving outcomes and minimizing the recurrence of PH associated with prostatic pathologies following surgery. This is particularly relevant when managing prostatic cysts, including FNA for drainage, cyst or abscess resection, or partial prostatectomy with omentalization during surgery.

Prostatic disorders are commonly observed in older, intact male dogs and have been a primary etiological factor in the development of PH. Most literature recommends per-forming perineal herniorrhaphy concurrently with castration to reduce the recurrence of PH, although some studies remain controversial. Limited literature exists regarding correcting PH with castration in dogs suffering from prostatic disorders, including management and long-term clinical outcomes. This retrospective study aimed to de-scribe the management of prostatic disorders and evaluate outcomes and recurrence following perineal herniorrhaphy with castration. A total of 315 intact male dogs that underwent perineal herniorrhaphy due to prostatic disorders were classified into two groups: a castrated group (PHC; n=184) and a non-castrated group (PHNC; n=131). The clinical signs of the PHC group showed significant improvement in the postoperative, short and long-term follow-up phases (p< 0.001). Prostate gland enlargement, hetero-geneous parenchyma and intraparenchymal cystic lesions were more prevalent in the short-term of the PHNC group and the long-term of the PHNC-2 group (p< 0.001). Nevertheless, the incidence of recurrent PH showed no significant differences between the PHC and PHNC groups (p=0.48). In conclusion, this study indicates that castration does not significantly reduce PH recurrence, addressing prostatic diseases during sur-gery is crucial to improve outcomes.

Background and Aim: Progesterone (P4) is the main hormone for pregnancy maintenance, occurring approximately 62–64 days after ovulation in bitches. Progesterone acts by binding to specific receptors. Aglepristone is a progesterone receptor (PR) antagonist with a higher affinity for PR binding. There are no published studies on cell proliferation and apoptosis in the canine uterus at the time of parturition. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the local effects of aglepristone on cell proliferation and apoptosis of interplacental uterine tissue during planned cesarean section (C-section) in bitches. Materials and Methods: In this study, 13 client-owned French bulldogs were examined. Bitches were divided into treatment (n = 8) and control (n = 5) groups. Ovulation timing was predicted based on the serum P4 level on 62–64 days post-ovulation for parturition. Serum P4 levels were measured before (on 60-day post-ovulation) and on C-section day (on 61-day post-ovulation). Aglepristone (Alizine®), 15 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC), was administered on 60 days post-ovulation in the treatment group. A C-section was planned 20–24 h later, and interplacental uterine areas were collected from both groups during the C-section. Immunohistochemistry based on Ki-67 and TUNEL assay was used to evaluate cell proliferation and apoptosis in four different interplacental uterine tissue layers (epithelium, stroma, glandular epithelium, and myometrium). Data are reported as mean ± standard deviation. Kruskal–Wallis test was used for comparisons of more than two independent groups. P value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: One bitch in the treatment group was excluded due to emergency C-section 8 h after aglepristone administration. Serum P4 levels (ng/mL) at 20–24 h before and at C-section were 6.09 ± 2.72 and 4.32 ± 2.2 in the treatment group (n = 7) and 5.45 ± 1.28 and 3.67 ± 1.89 in the control group (n = 5), respectively. Proliferation (PI) and apoptotic (AI) indices were 45%, respectively, in both the treatment (n = 5) and control (n = 3) groups. PI and AI were detected at interplacental areas. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in serum P4 levels or PI and AI indices between the groups. The PI <5% and AI was higher than 45% in both groups. Aglepristone did not have a direct effect on the serum P4 levels in both groups. These results correlated with the natural physiology of parturition preparation. Aglepristone 15 mg/kg SC injected 20–24 h before parturition had no effect on the P4 level, nor were any harmful effects observed for a planned C-section in pregnant bitches. Keywords: aglepristone, apoptosis, cesarean section, bitch, proliferation.