Brittany Shumack, DVM

22/07/2025

🐾 From Ultrasound to Spay: A Closer Look at Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia (CEH)

This uterus pictured shows a very focal, exaggerated lesion representing an extreme version of something we see more often than we’d like: Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia (CEH). I did include a picture of a normal happy uterus courtesy but of reddit.

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia, or CEH, occurs when the glands in the uterus overreact and cause hyperplasia, or thickening of the uterus. While this disease process is generally thought of as a progesterone influenced disease after a heat cycle, estrogen plays a vital role in the disease.

But here’s the twist: while progesterone gets the spotlight, estrogen sets the stage. Estrogen "primes" the uterus for pregnancy, making it ultra-sensitive to progesterone. Unlike in humans, a bitch’s uterus doesn’t slough or reset — meaning cumulative trauma can build over each cycle.

Progesterone’s Role:
After every heat cycle (whether bred or not), progesterone:

1. Suppresses the immune system → Less defense = higher risk of pyometra
2. Stimulates gland secretion → Ideal for embryos… or bacteria
3. Closes the cervix → Traps any harmful content inside
4. Reduces uterine contractility → No flushing, just… storage

So yes, progesterone is a big deal. But it's not working alone.

❓ Why does the uterus overreact in the first place?
We don’t have a simple answer — research is ongoing, and has been for years, and while treatments are being explored, no standardized treatment exists yet.

What we can say is this:
If your bitch consistently misses or has small litters despite good breeding management (proper timing, insemination, etc.), there may be more going on.

And unfortunately…
💔 A traumatized uterus isn’t one a placenta can easily attach to — even a mildly affected one.

In this case, ultrasound made diagnosis easy — but that’s not always true. Sometimes, only biopsy shows the real story.

Even though this is a exaggerated version of this disease process can you imagine a fetus trying to attach to this uterus, or even a less affected version. That's not happening.

🐶✨ Moral of the story?
Sometimes it’s not about the breeding plan — it's about what’s happening inside the uterus. And while we do our best, even great vets aren't miracle workers. We’re human, too.

20/07/2025

Dr. Theresa House, an assistant director in AVMA’s Animal Welfare Division, discussed how veterinarians can improve animal welfare in commercial dog breeding kennels at AVMA Convention 2025 in Washington, D.C.

08/07/2025

This is hard to do, I feel horrible that I can't see everyone on a daily basis as it is already. New people call in every single day and I need to take care of current clients

19/03/2025

This as a vet makes me so so happy, I just hope to see this set standards and promote improvement for a breed that has been failed by so many and deserves so much better.

🐾 HUGE NEWS for American Bullies! 🐾

The United American Bully Association is thrilled to announce that American Bullies now qualify for CHIC numbers with the OFA! 🎉

To earn a CHIC number, dogs must have completed:
✅ Hips
✅ Elbows
✅ Advanced Cardiac (including echocardiogram)

We already have 53 American Bullies with CHIC numbers—check the database to see if your dog has their fancy new badge! 🏅

🔍 Search here: https://ofa.org/chic-programs/browse-by-breed/

This is a huge step forward for breed health and responsible breeding! Let’s keep raising the standard! 💪🐶

23/11/2024

Couldn’t help myself

The sunset in Kiowa looking south was so magical tonight. 🥰🥹

📸 Chelsey Wyatt

29/10/2024

I had the privilege of judging best bred by exhibitor in show on Saturday at the Colorado Springs show. Kudos to those who judge professionally, that was hard. I think the fact that I had some role in bringing 4(maybe 5) of the 7 into this world maybe made it a little harder. It’s moments like this that make me proud and happy I do what I do.

20/10/2024

Recently I said no to a client. It wasn’t the first time, and unfortunately wont be the last. It never gets easier.

I told the client I wouldn’t help with the breeding of a bitch. I almost went through with it and caved because I felt pressured, but I said no. I took the girl to draw blood for a progesterone, and as I watched her struggling to breathe I couldn’t take it anymore.

There was a quick disagreement about how she isn’t this noisy at home, and a statement about how they did have to use a small endotracheal tube at her last c-section as we discussed why I didn’t feel comfortable going forward with breeding this female. I could not hear her heart on auscultation despite multiple attempts. I was reassured that she doesn’t have a murmur because previous vets hadn’t mentioned anything. How do I know their notes didn’t just say “could not appreciate murmur if present due to significant stertor” (the snort noise a bulldog makes).

I’ll be honest, it’s hard as a vet telling people that the beloved pet in their hands has a problem, and isn’t the perfect baby they thought. It can be even more gut wrenching and anxiety inducing when working with breeders.

What worries me the most is the present and future of bully/bulldog breeds. Don’t take this as me not liking the breeds. Nothing can turn a bad day around faster than a happy well-bred French bulldog or bully demanding affection. Unfortunately the condition I see them in a majority of the time is the opposite. Scared to walk, never vaccinated, poor coat condition overtaken with allergies, lame, never socialized.

Unfortunately the majority are being bred as statement pieces, such as designer shoes or purses. The more exotic the colors and structure the more they are worth. Negligence for the health and future health of puppies. In general I have seen a complete lack of will to improve the breed, or to even have a discussion about how to improve. I fear that if the breeding culture of bully breeds does not improve it will set the stage for rigorous laws for breeding practices in the US. We are already seeing certain states and cities trying to be strict on breeding practices.

I’m am in no way saying that no bully should ever be bred, but I just wish for the breed that serious discussions could be had to improve the culture around breeding. All I want is a world where new puppy owners don’t have to watch their beloved pets die from respiratory distress just because it went outside to play in the summer months. A world where these dogs can move without being in constant pain and not limp their entire lives from having severe elbow dysplasia, concurrent hip dysplasia, and a torn cruciate. Or even worse, the increase in IVDD (spinal paralysis) in French Bulldogs increasing at a rate that I am sure now surpasses dachshunds. It is devastating and costly for owners to treat. More importantly, I wish to see the females treated as dogs, and not just an incubator for future puppies and more money.

I recognize that there is no breed that is perfect and doesn’t have their own set of problems. My own breeds have many things we can improve on. I recognize it is a balance of improving health while at the same time not creating a bottleneck for diversity.

Here’s to hoping this reaches those who are open to a discussion and change. Here’s to nothing but happy and healthy Bully and Bulldog kisses (I bet you are imagining the notorious Bully crouch and but wiggle and just smiled). Lastly, to my fellow vets, we do really hard things every day. Saying no can seem impossible, and I’ll be the first to say I need to improve, but our oath includes the prevention and relief of animal pain and suffering. We can make a difference and improve the future by saying no.

14/10/2024

Happy Vet Tech week! I’m so thankful for the techs that keep me in line and allow me to do my job efficiently. Also thankful they tolerate my antics.

13/10/2024

Hi everyone. Seems to be some formatting issues and incorrect prices with our price list posted in the premiums so I just wanted to post actual price lists and clarify

Springs is October 25th and 26th. Pueblo is November 9th

The Colorado Springs show will have all of our services. The Pueblo show will not have semen freezing. I will not be present at the Pueblo show due to poorly planned timing for a much needed vacation. Dr. Brace will be at Pueblo providing the listed services.

Remember, no appointment necessary for anything but semen freezing at the Colorado Springs show.

Please reach out if you have any questions.

30/09/2024

It’s official, the proposed creation of a Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) has been designated as Proposition 129. Share this post with your friends and family so they can VOTE NO on Prop. 129 this November! Learn more about the dangers of Prop. 129 at KeepOurPetsSafe.com.

29/09/2024

Only because it has come up three times at work this week….

Just because a vet it a breeder, it does not automatically make them a good or ethical breeder.

🙃

22/09/2024

Want to see our doctors get pied in the face by our technicians?

Want to support Purina’s purple leash project

Starting 9/23 we will be accepting donations for the purple leash project. Each donation can be assigned to a doctor. We will then set a specific amount where a specific number of donations for each doctor = a pie in the face by a technician during tech week.

What does the purple leash project do?
The purple leash project help build and make domestic violence shelters accommodating for pets to join their owners.

48% of domestic abuse survivors delay leaving because they can’t take their pets with them.

Over 70% of women in domestic violence shelters report their abusers threatened, injured, or killed a pet as a means of control.

Currently only 19% of domestic violence shelters accept pets.

Donations can be made in clinic or over the phone. Please indicate which doctor you would like to see pied in the face when making the donation. Donations will be accepted from 9/23-10/16.