Torsion of the left uterine horn in a pregnant cat

Abstract

A four-year-old, pregnant, mixed-breed cat was presented with a history of listlessness, dullness and reluctance to use its hind legs after a traffic accident three days previously. The cat showed signs of mild resistance on gentle palpation of the abdomen. A freely moving mass, approximately 6x3x3cm in size and of soft consistency, was detected within the cranial paralumbar fossa. Evaluation of the abdomen with B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography showed that the mass was the enlarged left uterine horn which contained two dead foetuses. An ovariohysterectomy was performed using a standard technique and the animal recovered uneventfully. This is an unusual case of uterus torsion associated with a known traumatic origin, with the absence of abdominal pain, vaginal discharge and signs of shock at presentation.