Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Medicine Q&A 11

This question was provided by Manson Publishing as part of the OVAL Project. See more Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Medicine Q&A.

This one-year-old cat had three healthy kittens. Following parturition, the owners noticed a large red mass protruding from the vagina.

Question	Answer		Article
What is your diagnosis?	Prolapsed uterus.		Link to Article
What is your management plan?	The cat should be anesthetized and reduction attempted with lubrication, external pressure and flushing sterile saline into the uterine horns. In this case, external reduction would be unlikely because of the extreme tissue edema and trauma. Ovariohysterectomy is recommended with amputation of the external segment if there is uterine engorgement and necrosis.		Link to Article
What serious, life-threatening complication may result from this problem, and how can it be managed?	Rupture of an ovarian or uterine artery resulting in hemorrhagic shock. Blood transfusion and pelvic counterpressure may be necessary to stabilize the patient before exploratory laparotomy to locate the bleeder and remove the ovaries and uterus.		Link to Article