METRITIS 295 



are soft and congested. The musculature in general is pale, 

 friable and soft. 



Symptoms. The first indication of metritis is a marked 

 swelling and congestion of the vulva. On ( digital examination 

 the parts will be found sensitive, very hot, and present on the 

 mucosa a greenish or brown or blood-stained discharge which 

 has a very fetid odor. 



The vagina is swollen, very hot, and in the early stages, 

 reddened and congested. Later it becomes dark or dark 

 bluish, and in some cases almost black in color, with a foul 

 smelling exudate. This discharge is more copious at times, 

 as it is forced out of the uterus at different intervals. 



Frequently the animal shows marked symptoms of strain- 

 ing, the abdominal muscles become tense, and quantities 

 of a thick, dark colored exudate are discharged from the 

 vulva. 



The temperature during the early stages is elevated 

 (106 F.). Later, as the toxins are absorbed, the tempera- 

 ture drops to normal, often subnormal. 



There are general symptoms of suppression of appetite, 

 vomiting, general stiffness in walking and pain on palpation 

 over the region of the uterus. The animal in most instances 

 assumes the recumbent position. 



In mild cases the symptoms will gradually disappear and 

 terminate in complete recovery, or in chronic metritis. 



Diagnosis. The condition appearing as it does following 

 parturition, with the characteristic discharge from the vulva, 

 and the painful and sensitive condition of the uterus, makes 

 the diagnosis rather easy. Careful examination should be 

 made in all cases to establish a correct diagnosis and espe- 

 cially to differentiate acute metritis from puerperal septicemia 

 and pyometra. 



Prognosis. In small animals, owing to the difficulties 

 encountered in the treatment, and the retention of the 

 exudate in the cornua, the prognosis is unfavorable. The 

 milder cases recover but there is always danger, even in the 

 mild cases, of chronic metritis or pyometra developing. 



Treatment. Medical. Owing to the small uterus and the 

 long cornua, irrigation is a more difficult problem than in 



