ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS AND SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF CYSTIC REPRODUCTIVE-TRACT DISEASE IN A FEMALE KOALA (PHASCOLARCTOS-CINEREUS)

A mature female koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) with a history of depre ssion, anorexia, and purulent urogenital discharge was examined. Using abdominal ultrasonography, a presumptive diagnosis of a polycystic ut erine or vaginal mass was made. Exploratory abdominal surgery revealed distended uteri and multiple cysts involving the uteri, cervices, and vaginal cul-de-sac. Ovariohysterectomy and partial vaginectomy result ed in the resolution of clinical disease. Histologic examination of th e reproductive tract revealed the presence of vaginitis, cervicitis, e ndometritis, pyometra, and salpingitis. Streptococci were identified w ithin both uteri. Antibodies to Chlamydia psittaci were detected in se rum using a recently developed immune-dot-blot screening test. This is the first reported ultrasonographic diagnosis of reproductive tract d isease in a female koala and the first detailed description of ovarioh ysterectomy in the koala.