Ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) is functional ovarian tissue left behind in a female cat that was spayed. The cat comes back in heat, often months to years after surgery, and the exam question is how to prove ovarian tissue is present and when to operate.
Key facts
Ovarian remnant syndrome at a glance- Species and system: cat; female reproductive tract after ovariohysterectomy.
- Cause: remnant or ectopic ovarian tissue, or tissue that revascularised after being dropped in the abdomen (MSD).
- Classic presentation: spayed queen showing estrus behaviour, with a delay of months to years after surgery.
- Diagnosis: estrus signs plus progesterone over 2 ng/mL 2 to 3 weeks after GnRH; AMH; vaginal cytology supports.
- Treatment: exploratory laparotomy 3 to 6 weeks after inducing ovulation; histology of removed tissue.
- Complications: uterine stump pyometra and mammary, ovarian or vaginal neoplasia (MSD).
What's inside
15 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Working through a case
- Why this matters
- Exam pearls and common errors
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 3 tables, 3 self-test questions and 5 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
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