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Abortion and Abscesses

Abortion, or miscarriage, is the expulsion of puppies before they have reached their full stage of development in the mother's uterus. The principal difference between abortion and premature whelping is that in the latter the puppies have a good chance of survival if kept very warm, whereas in the former the foeti (as these undeveloped puppies are called) are invariably dead. It is not a very common occurrence, although some bitches show a tendency to abort at about the fifth week of pregnancy.

The causes can be broadly divided into three: disease, endocrine deficiencies and accident. Into the first category come the virus diseases, particularly hard-pad and distemper, which may affect the reproductive organs very considerably; metritis (inflammation of the uterus), probably from an infection acquired at the time of mating, and other serious conditions.

The question of endocrine imbalance, mentioned in the second category, is too technical for discussion here; suffice it to say that for the growth of the embryos in the uterus to be maintained there has to be a proper balance of those hormones particularly affecting fertility in the bitch. The third category - accidents-needs no explanation and includes all hazards from jumping over high fences to being hit by a slammed door. Even upset or change may start a miscarriage in highly strung bitches. A further possible cause, which has yet to be proved with absolute certainty, is an insufficiency of Vitamin E, the so-called fertility vitamin which appears to be necessary to maintain the health and fertility of the reproductive organs.

The symptom of an impending abortion is haemorrhage, usually fairly profuse but sometimes only slight, from the vagina at or about five weeks from the time of mating. Prevention of abortion is not always possible, although avoidance of accidents is, of course, an obvious measure. Bitches in whelp should not be allowed to indulge in riotous games with other dogs; a quiet life with no violent exercise or excitement is essential.

Apart from accident, the cause must be found by the veterinary surgeon who must be consulted immediately haemorrhage is noticed. Expert treatment may prevent the threatened abortion, and if a bitch has once aborted without any apparent reason the veterinary surgeon should be consulted before the bitch is again mated. Pending professional treatment, the bitch must be kept absolutely quiet and if necessary given a sedative such as potassium bromide.

Abscesses

Abscesses are localised centres of infection and are a common sequel to bites and minor skin injuries which have become infected. Whilst injuries of this nature, if treated properly, should not develop into abscesses, bites especially may go unnoticed for several days after they have become infected. The affected area is then hot and painful to the touch, and a lump develops, varying in size according to the injury, the type and degree of infection present. Sometimes the animal will show malaise and a fever as in cases of mastitis, a comparable condition which is really an abscess of a milk gland.

The hair round the lump or swelling should be thoroughly clipped as close to the skin as possible, and then the affected area should be well fomented with warm water, that is, at a temperature in which you can comfortably bear your own hand. To this water may be added a little antiseptic such as Dettol, using about 1 teaspoonful of antiseptic to 1 pint of water. A cotton wool pad, soaked in the warm solution, should be held over the area for ½ - 1 minute, then re-soaked and re-applied to the abscess. If the affected area is near the eyes, use warm water only, in order to avoid the risk of the antiseptic running into these delicate organs. The fomenting should be carried out for about 5 minutes (by the clock) and can be repeated as frequently as is possible.

It is wise to inform your veterinary surgeon as soon as the abscess is discovered as lancing may be necessary, or he may advise a course of injections which will quickly dispel the heat and pain and eliminate fever if this is present. Many cases if caught sufficiently early do not need lancing: the antibiotics, e.g., penicillin, in general use being particularly effective against the type of bacteria usually found in these infections.

If the abscess is in an area where a bandage may be easily applied alternative measures may be used. Clip and bathe the surrounding skin as before, then apply some warmed antiphlogistine to a bandage, fold this over on itself, so that there is always a layer of bandage between the poultice and the animal's skin, then bandage this over the affected area. Be careful not to bandage too tightly. This procedure should be repeated every 6 hours, or until the veterinary surgeon has seen the case. The advantage of a kaolin or antiphlogistine poultice is that the kaolin will continue to "draw" the infection all the time it is on the skin, whereas an ordinary fomentation with warm water must be repeated frequently in order to be really beneficial.

If the abscess has burst spontaneously, thoroughly wash and cleanse the skin wound and the abscess cavity two or three times daily until healing has taken place. For this an antiseptic solution as above may be used. A gentle squeezing towards the point of rupture of the abscess will ensure the evacuation of all accumulated pus and discharge, and hasten the healing process.

The cavity should be kept clean and not be allowed to close until healing takes place from within.

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