Is my dog ​​at risk for pyometra? - Direct veterinary help (2023)

You may have heard of pyometra before; Although common, it is one of the deadliest diseases we vets encounter.

What is pyometra?

Pyometra literally means "pus in the uterus". It occurs in about 25% of bitches who have not been spayed before the age of 10. Pyometra is essentially a uterine infection. It occurs because the repeated cycles of estrogen and progesterone that bitches experience in normal cycles increase the thickening of the uterine wall. And unlike humans, dogs don't shed their womb lining late in the season unless they're pregnant. Instead, the lining thickens over time, trapping fluid and mucus — sometimes called mucometra. A mucometer is not dangerous, but when bacteria get into the uterus, they find the perfect environment to multiply. Massive infection follows.

What are the signs of pyometra?

Pyometra almost always occurs relatively towards the end of the last season - usually 4 to 6 weeks after the bleeding has stopped. Dogs are typically three years or older, although pyometra has occasionally been diagnosed in some dogs after just one season. Affected dogs gradually become sicker: they may stop eating, become lethargic, or vomit. They usually have increased thirst and also urinate more frequently. Owners may notice that they lick their backs more than usual.

Cloudy discharge from the vulva is sometimes evident, but its absence doesn't mean pyometra isn't possible—in fact, the most severe forms of pyometra occur when the cervix is ​​closed and pus can't escape. The discharge can also be intermittent, or dogs may stop having a discharge when the cervix closes - this is usually seen as an improvement by many owners but is almost always followed by a worsening of their condition.

How is pyometra diagnosed?

Whole bitches showing symptoms at the correct stage of the cycle should always have an ultrasound done. Ultrasound is easy to perform and usually provides a diagnosis without anesthesia or sedation in well-behaved dogs. Vets will also need to examine the dog as a whole, take your dog's temperature and may recommend blood tests to check kidney and liver function.

How can pyometra be treated?

There are two ways to treat pyometra. Surgery is usually recommended as it is a permanent solution. The operation is like sterilization – the ovaries and uterus are removed through an abdominal incision. However, unlike a regular neuter, the uterus is heavier and filled with pus, which could certainly kill the dog if any leaks out. This makes it a much riskier operation than regular sterilization.

Drug treatment is also possible. Dogs are given injections of an abortifacient and antibiotics. This causes the body to stop the cycle and the infection begins to improve. Medical treatment is not always successful and there is a high possibility that pyometra will recur in the next cycle. However, it sometimes avoids risky surgeries and allows the uterus to heal, allowing sterilization to be scheduled for the usual window between seasons.

Can pyometra be prevented?

Preventing pyometra is as easy as neutering non-breeding dogs. Without the ovaries constantly switching from estrogen to progesterone, the mucosa does not build up and pyometra is not possible. In young bitches, the ovaries themselves can be removed. The hormones didn't have time to damage the uterine lining. However, as the dog gets older, a complete ovariohysterectomy (removal of the ovaries and uterus) is usually more sensible, since this does not pose a risk of posterior pyometra.

My dog ​​has been neutered, can she still have pyometra?

It is technically possible for a bitch, in very rare cases, to develop pyometra after spaying. Affected dogs often suffer from ovarian remnant syndrome. You left a small piece of the ovary behind after castration. The cycle of this remnant may be sufficient to cause any remaining uterus to undergo the changes that result in pyometra. This can lead to what is known as “stump pyometra”. When the small piece of uterus that is left behind because it is attached to the cervix gets pyometra.

Is pyometra a life or death situation?

Yes. Many cases of pyometra are so severe that prompt treatment is the only thing that can save them. If you suspect your dog has pyometra, you should take him to a veterinarian for evaluation immediately.

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