Agricultural Science Digest

  • Chief EditorArvind kumar

  • Print ISSN 0253-150X

  • Online ISSN 0976-0547

  • NAAS Rating 4.75

  • SJR .118 (2022)

Frequency :
Bi-monthly (February, April, June, August, October and December)
Indexing Services :
BIOSIS Preview, Biological Abstracts, Elsevier (Scopus and Embase), AGRICOLA, Google Scholar, CrossRef, CAB Abstracting Journals, Chemical Abstracts, Indian Science Abstracts, EBSCO Indexing Services, Index Copernicus

A Novel Protocol for Medical Management of Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia-Pyometra in White Tiger

Shibu Simon, Jacob Alexander, P. Anzeena Hind, T. Rajiv, S. Sooryadas, P.T. Dinesh, P.R. Umashankar, E.K. Easwaran, R. Anoop, A.G. Gouri, V.D. Vijayakumar
  • Email
1Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy-680 651, Thrissur, Kerala, India.
Cite article:- Simon Shibu, Alexander Jacob, Hind Anzeena P., Rajiv T., Sooryadas S., Dinesh P.T., Umashankar P.R., Easwaran E.K., Anoop R., Gouri A.G., Vijayakumar V.D. (2022). A Novel Protocol for Medical Management of Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia-Pyometra in White Tiger. Agricultural Science Digest. 42(4): 500-505. doi: 10.18805/ag.D-5510.
Background: Successful medical management of a serious form of Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia-Pyometra (CEH-P) in a white tiger, with a combination of mifepristone, misoprostol, cloprostenol, cabergoline and enrofloxacin is discussed.
Methods: A 14-year-old white tiger (Panthera tigris) belonging to the Zoological Garden, Thiruvanathapuram showed symptoms of gradual discomfort, dyspepsia and polydipsia for two weeks. There were no signs of oestrus for the previous two months and a serosanguinous vaginal discharge was also noticed. On ultrasonographic examination, uterine sacculations filled with fluid could be found which was suggestive of pyometra. Leukocytosis, neutrophilia, increased level of serum progesterone, anaemia, high ESR, persistent hyperproteinaemia and hyperglobulinaemia were evident on haematological examination. Considering the risks associated with performing OHE in large felids, medical management was planned. A combination of mifepristone, misoprostol, cloprostenol, cabergoline, enrofloxacin and supportive therapy were given along with strict and close monitoring by different experts on site or by utilizing telemedicine communication technologies. Periodic hematological examination, serum biochemistry, progesterone estimation and ultrasonographic evaluation were done to evaluate the progress of treatment. The progesterone values during the period of study ranged from 45.6 ng/ml at the commencement of treatment to a basal level of 0.73 ng/ml towards the end of treatment. 
Result: The animal had an uneventful clinical recovery. Considering the risks associated with performing OHE in large felids, medical management can be considered as a valuable option in treating CEH-Pyometra in wild felids. This being the first report of successful medical treatment of CEH-P in a large captive felid with a combination of antiprogestins, prolactin antagonists, prostaglandins and antibiotics, it is suggested that due consideration of such a treatment regimen is of great importance in large felids.

  1. Aronsson, A., Bygdeman, M. and Gemzell Danielsson, K. (2004). Effects of misoprostol on uterine contractility following different routes of administration. Hum. Reprod. 19: 8184.

  2. Ay, S.S., Aslan, S., Onyay, F., Kaya, D., Koldaş, E., Arslan, S. and Findik, M. (2019). Effect of oral misoprostol, alone orin combination with aglepristone, on mid-term pregnancy termination in cats. J. Feline. Med. Surg. 21: 714-722.

  3. Brown, J.L., Bush, M., Packer, C., Pusey, A.E., Monfort, S.L., O’Brien, S.J., Janssen, D.L. and Wildt, D.E. (1993). Hormonal characteristics of free-ranging female lions (Panthera leo) of the Serengeti Plains and Ngorongoro Crater. Reprod. 97: 107-114.

  4. Chinnu, P.V. (2016). Efficacy of medical management and surgical trans-cervical catherization for canine cystic endometrial hyperplasia. M.V.Sc. Thesis. Department of ARGO, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala. Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. pp. 1-108.

  5. Feldman, E. C. (2000). The Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia/ Pyometra Complex and Infertility in Female Dogs. In: Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine: Diseases of the Dog and Cat. [Ettinger, S.J. and E.C. Feldman (Eds.)]. (5th Edn.). W. B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. pp. 1549-1555.

  6. Fowler, M. E. and Miller, R. E. (2004). Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine. (5th Edn.). Saunders, Elsevier Science, Port Melbourne. pp. 493-494.

  7. Graham, L. H., Byers, A. P., Armstrong, D. L., Loskutoff, N.M., Swanson, W.F., Wildt, D. E. and Brown, J.L. (2006). Natural and gonadotropin-induced ovarian activity in tigers (Panthera tigris) assessed by fecal steroid analyses. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 147: 362-370.

  8. Guillermo, C.C. and Richard, N. (2000). Medicina Interna de Animales Pequenos. (2nd Edn.) Intermedica, Buenos Aires Argentina. pp. 525-526.

  9. Hedlund, C.S. (2002). Surgery of the Reproductive and Genital Systems. In: Small Animal Surgery. [Fossum, T.W. (Eds.)]. (2nd Edn.). Mosby, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri. pp. 639-644.

  10. Kustritz, M.V.R. (2006). Collection of tissue and culture samples from the canine reproductive tract. Theriogenology. 66: 567-574.

  11. McCain, S., Ramsay, Matthew C. Allender, M.S., Carlos Souza, and Schumacher, J. (2009). Pyometra in captive large felids: a review of eleven cases. J. Zoo Wild. Med.40: 147-151.

  12. Melandri, M., Veronesi, M.C., Pisu, M.C., Majolino and Alonge, S. (2019). Fertility outcome after medically treated pyometra in dogs. J. Vet. Sci. 2019 Jul; 20(4): e39. http:/ /dx.doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2019.20.e39

  13. Moxon, R., Whiteside, H. and England, G.C. (2016). Prevalence of ultrasound-determined cystic endometrial hyperplasia and the relationship with age in dogs. Theriogenology. 86: 976-980.

  14. Munson, L., Gardner, I. A., Mason, R.J., Chassy, L.M. and Seal, U.S. (2002). Endometrial hyperplasia and mineralization in zoo felids treated with melengestrol acetate Contraceptives. Vet. Pathol. 39: 419-427.

  15. Palomar, A.R.R., Bermudez, D.B., Palestino, J.F.P., Cuanalo, B.B., Valdez, M.L. and Mancera, A.E.V. (2020). A case report of diagnosis and resolution of pyometra in a Jaguar (Panther onca) with heart disease. Acta Scientific Veterinary Sciences. 2.11: 05-09.

  16. Rainey, B., Singh, A., Valverde, A., Hoddinott, K., Beaufrère, H., Tindal, L. and Smith, D. (2018). Laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy for the treatment of pyometra in a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris). Can. Vet. J. 59: 895.

  17. Romagnoli S. (2018a). Practical use of reproductive hormones in dogs and cats. 43rd WSAVA Congress and 9th FASAVA Congress. 25-28 September 2018. Singapore. pp. 512-516.

  18. Romagnoli S. (2018b). Update of clinical use of aglepristone in bitches and queens. 43rd WSAVA Congress and 9th FASAVA Congress. 25-28 September 2018. Singapore. pp. 552-556.

  19. Seal, U.S., Plotka, E.D., Smith, J.D., Wright, F.H., Reindl, N.J., Taylor, R.S. and Seal, M.F. (1985). Immunoreactive luteinizing hormone, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and androstenedione levels during the breeding season and anestrus in Siberian tigers. Biol. Reprod. 32: 361-368.

  20. Schramm, R.D., Briggs, M.B. and Reeves, J.J. (1994). Spontaneous and induced ovulation in the lion (Panthera leo). Zoo Biol. 13: 301-307.

  21. Simon, S. (2019). Practical Use of Hormones in Canine and Feline Reproduction. In: Compendium XXXV Annual Convention of the ISSAR and International Symposium on Global Perspectives to Enhance Livestock Fertility through Modern Reproductive Techniques for Doubling Farmer’s Income; 18th to 20th December, 2019. VC and RI, Namakkal, TANUVAS. pp.130-141. 

  22. Simon S., Sreejith, J.R. and Ghosh, K.N.A. (2009). Medical management of canine pyometra with mifepristone and prostaglandin. In: Compendium International Summit on advancing medical care: Challenges and strategies: 19, 20 February, 2009, Chennai. pp.157.

Editorial Board

View all (0)