The Vaginal pH estimation in the healthy bitches during different stages of the sexual cycle and bitches with vaginitis

Abstract

There are a limited number of studies on the pH values of vaginal secretions in the bitch. During the different stages of the sexual cycle, the pH values of the vaginal secretions are influenced by the steroid hormone levels in the female organism (1). According to the reference data (2) the vaginal pH in the bitch at the different stages of the sexual cycle ranges between 6.2 and 7.6, being from 6.8 to 7.6 during the proestrus and between 6.4 and 7.4 during the estrus. The aim of this study was to investigate the pH of vaginal secretions in healthy bitches during the different stage of sexual cycle and bitches with vaginitis. Eigthy six healthy bitches and 112 with clinical vaginitis, age 0,5-15 years, were presented in these studies. The animals were found on the basis of routine clinical examination in "X" small animal clinic. A stage of estrus cycle was determined by cytological examination of vaginal smears, which were taken with sterile cotton swabs and stained with Diff-Quick® (Merck Millipore, Germany). Serum progesterone level for ovulation detection was not measured, because these bitches were not planned to mate. The vaginal pH levels were determined using two kinds of strips (4.0-7,0 and 6,5-10,0) (Merck KGaA). A speculum was inserted and the indicator strips were kept touched to the vaginal wall for at least 3 seconds. [...].