Exfoliative Vaginal Cytology (EVC) as a tool for determining breeding time in the bitch a case study

Abstract

A three year old German shepherd bitch was presented to Teaching Veterinary clinical complex, International Institute of Veterinary Education and Research (IIVER), Rohtak Haryana, with history of frank reddish brown, non fetid, vaginal discharge from last 12 days with acceptance to male and cessation of discharge on the day of arrival to clinics. Her owner, wanted to know the window of fertile mating. Exfoliative vaginal cytology (EVC) technique was done to obtain serial vaginal smears, which were stained with Giemsa and put to microscopical examination for presence or absence of cornfield (Squamous and Anucleate epithelial cells)/non cornified (Parabasal and Intermediate epithelial cells) population of vaginal cells to know the fertile window of possible mating. Owner was advised to go for mating of the receptive bitch on the prescribed window based on the presence of typical cornified superficial and anucleate cells in vaginal smear.