Week 1: Vaginal cytology review

VAGINAL CYTOLOGY SKILLS DRILL

For each case, you are provided with a signalment and a brief history. The associated image of vaginal cytology for each case is below it. For each vaginal cytology specimen, determine the following:

1) Are the vaginal epithelial cells predominantly cornified or non-cornified? Does the cornification match my expectation for this patient?

2) Are there inflammatory cells present? Is the number appropriate or excessive?

3) What is your primary rule-out or consideration for this client and patient, based on this information? Why is that your primary rule-out? What will you do next diagnostically and what recommendations will you make for therapy?

Create a written report with the above information for each case. Submit this as a Word document to Dr. Root via email (rootk001@umn.edu) in the first week of the rotation.

Case 1: 6 year old intact female Scottish terrier, presented for inappetance and lethargy. Physical = T 103F, P 120, R 40, 5% dehydration, malodorous red-brown vulvar discharge

Case 2: 3 year old intact female Clumber spaniel, presented for breeding management. The bitch has had serosanguinous vulvar discharge for several days and has vulvar swelling but will not allow the male to breed her although the owners believe she should be in standing heat.

Case 3: 5 year old intact female Akita, presented for odorless discharge at the end of an apparently normal heat cycle She was not bred while in heat. Physical = T 101.5F, P 80, R 30, mucoid odorless vulvar discharge, uterus not palpable

Case 4: 4 year old intact female Bichon Frise, presented for insemination with chilled semen. Serum progesterone 6.2 ng/ml two days ago.

Case 5: 3 year old intact female Bloodhound, presented for insemination with fresh semen from aged male. Serum progesterone 2.5 ng/ml five days ago.

Case 6: 7 year old spayed female Golden retriever, presented for mucoid odorless vulvar discharge after urination. Physical = T 101.2F, P 90, R 30, sticky mucoid odorless vulvar discharge, evidence of vulvar licking