Alterações uterinas associadas ao uso de fármacos contraceptivos em cadelas

Abstract

The use of contraceptive drugs as a means of population control in dogs, without the guidance of a veterinarian, can lead to the application of high doses and in inadequate phases of the estrous cycle, causing adverse reproductive effects such as pyometra and mucometra. The aim of this study was to study the frequency of uterine and ovarian changes in female dogs and their association with contraceptive drugs and thus alert society, veterinarians and regulatory bodies about the indiscriminate use of these drugs and the damage to the health of these animals. A total of 32 female dogs referred for elective castration at the Veterinary Hospital (HOVET - UFU) were used, and they were grouped into animals that received contraceptive drugs and those that did not. Data on the reproductive health of the bitches were collected through an interview form with the tutors and vaginal cytology was collected to determine the estrous cycle, endometrial cytology and samples were taken for uterine histopathology. In the epidemiological analysis, 43.75% of the tutors answered that they had acquired the medicine at a farming house, 43.75% that they were informed of this contraceptive method in farming houses and 37.5% through family, friends and others. All stated that there was no study of the estrous cycle phase at the time of application of the contraceptive drug. As for the frequency and total number of applications, 56.25% were unable to inform. All tutors reported that the drug prevented heat and 12.5% of females had side effects. In addition, no tutor reported having been guided by a veterinarian. There was no statistical difference in neutrophils in endometrial cytology. In the histopathological analysis, bitches that received contraceptive drugs had a larger glandular diameter. All other analyzes revealed similar results between groups. It is concluded that the use of contraceptive drugs is done indiscriminately by the bitches' tutors, which can lead to aggravation of pathologies of the reproductive system. Furthermore, the use of contraceptive drugs influenced the diameter of the endometrial glands, leading to cystic endometrial hyperplasia, which may favor the appearance of pyometra.