Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Pyometra is a condition characterized by progressive accumulation of pus in the uterus and the presence of functional luteal tissue in the ovary. Incidence of pyometra is quite high in dogs but low in queens (Aeillo, 1998). Also reports in wild animals are scanty. A case of death in a lioness due to pyometra is being reported.

CASE HISTORY AND POST-MORTEM FINDINGS

An eleven year old nulliparous lioness (Panthera leo) which was kept in open enclosure with other females at zoological garden, Thiruvananthapuram was found dead in the morning. The animal appeared dull since last two days. Post-mortem examination was conducted. On opening the peritoneal cavity, about four to five litres of blood tinged, purulent, inflammatory exudates devoid of fibrin drained out. Both the horns of uterus were enlarged and filled with purulent, chocolate coloured, thick viscid exudates. Uterine wall was friable. Mucosa was odematous, thickened and haemorrhagic. There were three luteal cysts on left ovary and a follicular cyst on the right ovary. Stomach and intestinal contents were scanty pointing that the animal could have been off-fed for a few days. Other visceral organs showed lesions indicative of toxaemia. Smear of peritoneal fluid showed mixed bacterial population and inflammatory cells with severe degenerative changes. Pus from the uterus was cultured and E. coli was isolated. Microscopically, the endometrium showed glandular hyperplasia, congestion and infiltration with mononuclear cells.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Post-mortem examination revealed the death to be due to chronic suppurative metritis (closed pyometra) with secondary acute diffuse peritonitis, leading to toxaemia. In the present case, it is presumed that repeated cyclical effects of oestrogen and progesterone in the nulliparous animal led to cystic glandular hyperplasia and later pyometra with infection by E. coli, a secondary opportunistic pathogen (Aeillo, 1998). Several authors (Frost, 1963; England, 1996) have suggested that the condition is more common in nulliparous animals. The lioness had no history of mating. Extra genital lesions were indicative of severe intoxication and probably bacteraemia. SUMMARY A post mortem case of closed pyometra in a lioness was reported with an objective to record the incidence in captive felines.

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