Management of Foetal Mummification in Canine

Abstract

The present study was conducted to diagnose and management of foetal mummifications in canine. Ten
mixed breed dogs aged between 4.5 to 6 year of age were brought to the TVCC, CVSc & AH, CAU, Selesih,
Aizawl, Mizoram, with the history of mating two and half months in six and three months earlier in four
bitches. Animals were anorectic, dull, depressed with congested mucous membrane and distended
abdomen. Abdominal palpation revealed distended uterus with palpable hard masses. Haematological
examination revealed low haemoglobin, packed cell volume and total erythrocyte count and leukocytosis
with neutrophilia. Blood biochemical examination showed hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia and
elevated aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen,
gamma glutamyl transferase and serum creatinine. Radiography confirmed the presence of mineralized
mass and evidence of some skull and tubular bones in the uterus in six bitches and was irregularly
mineralized mass with the detail of some skull (five numbers) and tubular bones in other four cases.
Ovariohysterectomy was performed and recorded with five mummified foetuses each in all the cases with
chocolate mummification. All bitches recovered uneventfully.