I finished vet school in Copenhagen in Denmark, in 2005, and since then, I have worked at Evidensia Small Animal Specialist Hospital in Helsingborg, Sweden. Since the start, I have had a keen interest in ultrasound, which has developed through the years, to include a fascination for all kinds of diagnostic imaging. In 2011, I became a Swedish specialist in diseases of dogs and cats, and since then have worked mainly in Diagnostic Imaging and Cardiology. I currently work as the senior vet in these fields at our hospital. Since 2018, I have been part of a Swedish programme towards becoming a national specialist in Diagnostic Imaging.
How did the idea for this project come about?
In Sweden, intact dogs are common, leading to frequent pyometra cases. Despite being a routine surgery, dogs often experience minor complications, prompting concerned owners to revisit the clinic within the first 14 days. Many undergo ultrasound examinations, and clinicians, lacking published guidelines on normal post-ovariohysterectomy appearances, struggle to differentiate between normal and abnormal reactions. During my Swedish Diagnostic Imaging specialist training program, I seized the opportunity to delve deeper into this subject.
What part of the project did you find most enjoyable?
Composing the research plan and the meetings/discussions with my co-writers/supervisors along the way.
What challenges did you have to overcome?
I encountered several hurdles, including the initial task of securing experienced research supervisors. Securing funding to cover expenses like blood work and ultrasound exams posed another significant challenge. Despite the abundance of pyometra cases, obtaining suitable cases took two years. Transforming the subjective diagnostic tool of ultrasound into objective data proved challenging, particularly due to the diffuse reactions observed post-surgery.
What do you think are the most exciting findings from your publication?
There's notable diversity in reactions around the remaining cervix and mesovarium, often resembling abscess-like formations, even in cases of normal recovery. Additionally, we observed a deterioration in ligature reactions during the first post-surgery week, gradually returning to normal. Remarkably, the cervical stump's size remained consistent from day 10-15, similar to the immediate post-procedure day.
How might these findings help other practitioners?
It might help them not to overinterpret the ultrasound findings after ovariohysterectomy in dogs with pyometra. As we usually just see the dogs with some kind of complication after surgery, it is really valuable to see how normally recovering dogs might look. For me, it has become even more evident that we need to interpret findings on ultrasound alongside other diagnostic tools such as blood work, clinical signs and also ultrasound-guided samples.
What’s next for you?
Finishing the Swedish veterinary specialisation in diagnostic imaging. I’m really looking forward to studying and learning more this year before my final exam. In the future I hope to supervise other veterinarians, so we can have more specialists in the field.
Have you got any advice for anyone thinking of starting their own research project?
Choose a well-defined subject where it is easy to include many cases. Simple is better than complex. Only do a prospective clinical study if you are really into it, otherwise, do something retrospective. Be sure to have a good supervisor who can help and support you, and be kind to the reader when you write the manuscript.