Radiographic and ultrasonographic evaluation of the normal feline postpartum uterus

The radiographic and ultrasonographic appearance of the normal involution p rocess of the feline postpartum uterus has not been previously described. S ix queens were examined to determine the normal radiographic and ultrasonog raphic appearance of the involuting postpartum uterus, Radiographic and ult rasonographic examinations were performed daily from days one through ten, then on days 12, 14, 18, 24, and 28 postpartum. Radiographically the mean t otal uterine thickness was 16.5 mm at day one postpartum. By day 14 the mea n total uterine thickness was 10.5 mm and by day 24 postpartum the uterus w as not radiographically visible. Ultrasonographically at day one postpartum the mean total uterine thickness was 16.6 mm and the mean uterine wall thi ckness was 2.7 mm, At day 14 postpartum the mean total uterine thickness wa s 6.2 mm and the mean wall thickness was 2.1 mm. At day 28 postpartum the u terus could still be identified ultrasonographically however individual wal l layers were not discernable.