Incidental finding of uterine adenomyosis in a bitch with reproductive disorders: a case report

Uterine adenomyosis, a disease not widely addressed in dogs, is characterised by the progressive penetration of endometrial glands and stroma into the myometrium, together with smooth-muscle hyperplasia. This report describes a case of adenomyosis in an 8-year-old German Shepherd bitch with mammary tumours, concomitant with cystic ovarian disease and endometrial cystic hyperplasia. Clinical signs included presence of small nodules and enlargement of mammary glands, and bloody uterine discharge. Ultrasonography confirmed the uterine and ovarian abnormalities, while the diagnosis was later confirmed by histopathological examination. The findings are discussed as possibly related to the reproductive disorders observed, and a hypothetical participation of hormonal factors, as has been described in woman, is suggested. However, further studies must be realized.