Canine pyometra generally occurs in intact female dogs of more than four years of age. However, in rarely cases, pyometra can occur in young bitches. In the present report, two cases of pyometra in thirteen and eighteen months of age were presented. In both cases, absent of vaginal discharge represented that both patients had closed-cervix pyometra and diagnosis was somewhat complicated. In complete blood count, elevated level of leukocyte with left shift was found in both cases. Serum chemistry analysis showed elevation of alkaline phosphatase in both cases. Additionally, mild elevation of aspartate transferase and total protein were also found in case. Radiographic and ultrasonographic findings show the enlargement of uterus and accumulation of fluid contents inside the uterine lumen. Ovariohysterectomy followed by antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs for post-surgery medication was performed for treatment. After a week, both patients fully recovered. To reduce mortality of pyometra in young intact female dogs, radiography or ultrasonography should be indicated immediately in the bitches showing severe infectious inflammation.

Four estrus-induced Himalayan tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus) were inseminated with frozen-thawed semen by laparoscopic or transcervical insemination techniques with no regard to the site of ovulation in non-breeding season. In June and July, 2009, estrus was synchronized by Eazi-Breed (Controlled internal drug release; Pfizer Animal Health, New Zealand) insertion for 16 days and PG 600 (PMSG 400IU, hCG 200 IU; Intervet, Netherlands) injection (IM) a day before removing . Forty eight hours later, laparoscopic or transcervical insemination was done to each of two tahrs under anesthetic condition inducted by ketamine (1.5 mg/kg) and medetomidine (0.09 mg/kg). For examination of estradiol and progesterone, blood was collected right before insertion, PG 600 injection, removal and insemination. Estradiol levels of four tahrs (No. 1, 2, 3, 4) before insertion and insemination were 13.3, 8.8, 14.3, 12 pg/ml and 23.5, 25.5, 21.1, 11.5 pg/ml, respectively. Progesterone levels of four tahrs (No. 1, 2, 3, 4) before insertion and insemination were 1.8, 0.05, 0.63, 0.61 ng/ml and 1.03, 0.37, 1.48, 2.12 ng/ml. Except for No. 4 tahr, cervices showed cervical mucus and opened enough to penetrate with embryo transfer gun sheet usually used for cows. Therefore, No.4 was laparoscopically inseminated together with No. 1. In conclusion, none of four Himalayan tahrs was pregnant. However, we proved that estrus could be induced by CIDR and PG 600 injection in non-breeding season, and laparoscopic or transcervical insemination with frozen-thawed semen could be one of assisted reproductive techniques in Himalayan Tahr.

Most captive canids and felids at Zoos in advanced countries have been examined enough to apply artificial reproductive techniques to them. We investigated reproductive hormones and vaginal epithelial cells of a 6-year-old, female coyote, hoping these data could eventually be extended to artificial insemination with frozen-thawed conspecific semen at Seoul Zoo. As a relative of pet dogs, coyote exhibited a similar appearance with only minor differences. In vaginal smear, an increase in the number of superficial cells suggests that the bitch has reached a state close to estrus. A sudden decrease of estradiol and increase of progesterone is considered as a preovulatory event. Vaginal epithelial cells and hormones might be useful for determining the optimal time of artificial insemination in coyotes' breeding.