Early ultrasonographic findings after ovariohysterectomy operation in bitches

In this study, early ultrasonographic (usg) findings of the abdominal/pelvic cavity and incision line following ovariohysterectomy operation performed in the anestrus or diestrus periods of dogs have been evaluated. Therefore, 20 female dogs, varying of ages between 1 to 5 years old were selected according to their sexual cycle determined by anamnesis and vaginal cytology findings. Dogs were taken into anesthesia using xylazine/ketamine combination and the operation was performed on the median line. Intraoperative body temperature (T), respiration (R), pulsation (P) values and the duration of the operation were recorded. Daily postoperative examinations (T, R, P, mucosal pigmentation, lymph nodes, appetite, urination, defecation and pain symptoms) were carried out for seven days. On the 1, 4 and 7th days postoperatively, ligation areas and the incision line were assessed based on the visualization levels, morphological characteristic and possible complications by using B-Mode ultrasonography with 5-6,6-8 MHz intervals micro convex probe. The results of the study showed that intraoperative pulsation values were between 66-170 bpm, which were increased by 90% (18/20) when comparing to preoperative values. Ligation areas were visualized 25% (5/20) and 50% (10/20) for the left and right ovary, respectively. All ovarian ligations could be monitored by 30% (6/20) on the 1st-day, 45% (9/20) on the 4th-day, and 35% (7/20) on the 7th-day postoperatively. The highest rate of the cervical ligation visualization was 60% (12/20), which was recorded on the 7th-day postoperatively. Moreover, no differences were detected in ligation areas, which were more significant on the 4th and 7th-day postoperatively. It is recorded that the visualization of right ovary ligation having a higher risk of complication was easier than the left one. The complications rate of the incision line was 60% (12/20), which can be more visualized on the 4th and 7th days. As a result, it is concluded that transabdominal/transdermal ultrasonography during the first week can be used for postoperative monitoring of dogs undergone ovariohysterectomy operation. Keywords: Ovariohysterectomy, complication, ultrasonography, dog