Utero-Cutaneous Fistula in Ruminants: Characterization of the First Cases in Ewes and Cows
by
, , and
Antonio Carlos Lopes Câmara
1,*
,
Gustavo Peixoto Braga
2,
Andrei Antonioni Guedes Fidelis
3,
Fausto Romualdo de Faria Dantas
2,
José Renato Junqueira Borges
1 and
Márcio Botelho de Castro
4 1
Large Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília 70910-970, DF, Brazil
2
Independent Researcher, Brasília 70760-517, DF, Brazil
3
Animal Reproduction Department, Univerity Center of Brasília (CEUB), Brasília 70790-075, DF, Brazil
4
Veterinary Pathology Laboratory, College of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília 70910-970, DF, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2024, 14(2), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020344
Submission received: 27 November 2023
/
Revised: 7 January 2024
/
Accepted: 14 January 2024
/
Published: 22 January 2024
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Clinical Studies)
Simple Summary
This report characterizes, for the first time, utero-cutaneous fistula (UCF) in animals, affecting ewes and cows, thus contributing to the knowledge about this rare condition in pregnant ruminants. Two ruminants presented non-specific clinical signs on the right ventral abdomen before UCF formation, such as moderate depression, low feed intake, and weight loss. The lack of reports on UCF in animals suggests underreporting or absence of diagnosis. Therefore, further studies are required to ensure improvements in the diagnosis and knowledge of pathogenesis, aiming at prevention.
Abstract
Reports on UCF in animals are still lacking in veterinary literature. Detailed clinical signs, laboratory findings, and follow-up information from the first cases of UCF in two ewes and two cows are provided. The cases occurred over a 12-year period. All ruminants presented a fistulous tract or perforated wound on the right ventral abdomen, emitting a foul-smelling secretion possibly associated with macerated fetal parts or placental remains. Laboratory findings included anemia, leukocytosis by neutrophilia, and hyperfibrinogenemia in one ewe, and hyperfibrinogenemia in one cow. Ovariohysterectomy and fistulectomy were performed in one ewe, while the other three ruminants were submitted for the removal of fetal parts and placental remains through the UCF. Two ewes died within 12–48 h, and the two Nelore cows had an uneventful recovery, achieving secondary intention healing within 30 to 35 days. As a never-reported or unnoticed disease of the reproductive tract, UCF is an unusual consequence of dead fetus retention in an end-stage pregnancy and a potentially life-threatening condition in ruminants, especially ewes. Further broad studies in large herds of cattle and small ruminant flocks must be conducted to estimate the incidence of UCF and ensure improvements in the diagnosis and knowledge of pathogenesis, aiming at prevention.
