Comparison of the cytobrush and cotton swab for vaginal cytology in dogs

Abstract

The evaluation of canine cytology is an important tool in determination of estrous stage, interpretation of abnormalities of the estrous cycle and in diagnosis of reproductive disorders. The stage of the estrous cycle is determined by vaginal cytology, progesterone evaluation and also is confirmed by clinical and histologic observations (Root Kustritz, 2006).

The aim of this study was to compare the sampling methods, analyse related findings in vaginal cytology by scoring the vaginal contents and review the physiology and endocrinology of the reproductive cycles in bitches. Vaginal cytology samples were collected during preoperative phase-routine neutering from healthy sexually mature dogs. The following parameters were assessed for each tested technique: background content of the slides, quality of the cells harvested, total cellularity, inflammatory cells and vaginal epithelium cells. Categorical variables were compared using contingency tables and Pearson Chi-square tests.

Cytological results obtained from CB are similar to those obtained from CS but the CB produced more intact cells than the CS sampling method. Based on the findings the CB technique may be recommended for collection of materials from the canine vagina in clinical practice. Although there were differences in cell volume and quality, the proportion of cells types in the samples from each cycle did not differ significantly, therefore the two methods do not differ from this point of view. Investigations into the benefits of working with the cytobrush sampling method should be further explored, especially with regard to the canine species.