Mummified papyraceous fetuses in the abdominal cavity of an elderly female dog with pyometra

this paper reports on a rare case of fetal papyraceous mummification after asymptomatic uterine rupture in an elderly female dog with pyometra. the patient had a history of mating six months before the examination but no apparent signs of gestation or parturition. exploratory laparotomy was used to identify a rupture of the left uterine horn and the presence of cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra. two mummified papyraceous fetuses were observed in the abdominal cavity and had adhered to the spleen, pancreas, intestine and omentum. ovariehysterectomy and corrective surgery were performed. the patient had remained healthy after uterine rupture until a new estrous cycle and the development of pyometra. bitches that are 10 years old or more are predisposed to implantation failure, pregnancy or parturition problems and they should not be breed to avoid complications.