Canine Pyometra - An Emergency in Dogs

Pyometra is infection of the uterus (womb). The infection is most commonly caused by E. coli, which enter the uterus either due to a mild urinary infection, or from the normal bacterial flora of the lower reproductive tract. Hormones also play a role, as the condition is most likely to occur within 4-6 weeks after the bitch has been in estrus (heat/season). It is most common in dogs aged over five years, and can also occur in cats.

Pyometra can be classified as open or closed. Closed means that the entrance to the uterus is closed, so pus and debris is accummulating in the uterus, causing it to massively swell. This is the most dangerous type, as the uterus is being stretched so much it may rupture, and other organs are being compressed. Open pyometras are cases where the infection is draining out through the vulva. This is less serious, as the uterus is not swelling up as pus can escape. This type is often noticed earlier, as you can see the discharge.

Pyometra is life-threatening as the infection may become so severe it is fatal, and in closed pyometras the uterus may rupture, causing severe bleeding and shock.

Common signs of pyometra are:

- lethargy and depression
- drinking and urinating more than normal
- loss of appetite
- vomiting
- discharge from the vulva

These signs are not very specific, but a diagnosis of pyometra should always be considered in an older female dog showing these signs soon after being in heat.

If it is an open pyometra, a yellow or bloody vulval discharge may be seen. If closed, abdominal swelling may be seen.

If you suspect that your dog may have a pyometra, call your veterinarian immediately!

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Your veterinarian can diagnose pyometra by x-ray or ultrasound, and can then begin treatment. Quick diagnosis and treatment is essential, as the condition can be fatal.

In pyometra, the womb is severely infected, and the best course of action is to remove it surgically after stabilizing the patient with fluids. Appropriate antibiotics must then be given for 7-10 days after surgery.

If the pyometra is open, and the owner is keen to breed from her, it may be possible to treat the condition medically and avoid surgery. Drugs can be given to help the pus and debris of infection be expelled from the body. However, this is much more risky than surgery, and the dog's fertility will be reduced. The condition recurs in up to 70% of dogs, so it's best to spay the dog after breeding to prevent this.

Female dogs are neutered in an operation commonly known as 'spaying'. The ovaries and womb are removed, and therefore dogs that have been spayed cannot develop pyometra. Spaying is the only guaranteed way to prevent pyometra - any non-spayed female dog is at risk of developing it. If you do not want your dog to have puppies, it is prudent to spay her young. The spay operation on a young, healthy dog is much safer than later surgery on an ill dog suffering from pyometra, and also has the benefit of reducing the risk that she will suffer from mammary tumors later in life.

Mammary cancer is a serious condition in dogs - 50% have malignant tumors. Spaying a bitch before her first estrus (heat) reduces her risk of developing this cancer to only 0.5% of the risk of an unspayed dog. After the first, but before the second heat, the risk is 8%, and 26% after the second heat but before the dog is 2.5 years old. After a dog is 2 and a half years old, spaying has no effect on the development of mammary cancer.

Pyometra is much less common in cats, but again, spaying will prevent the condition. Mammary cancer is much more likely to be malignant in cats than dogs, and early spaying again reduces the risk of cancer occurring later in life (percentages unknown, but the decrease in risk is significant).

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Acupuncture is a popular complementary therapy and dogs can benefit too! Scientific research has shown genuine beneficial effects in both humans and dogs. Of course, in pyometra your dog requires immediate surgery, but acupuncture is very useful in treating other conditions, especially chronic and painful conditions, and also as part of a preventative treatment plan to keep your dog in tip-top health. I am a certified veterinary acupuncturist and have found it very rewarding to treat animals that modern medicine has given up on - for example the arthritic dog that is still in pain, despite being given a high dose of modern pain-killing drugs.

Would you like to find out more about acupuncture and how your dog could benefit? My new ebook explains in detail how acupuncture works, conditions in dogs that can benefit, how acupuncture is done on dogs, real life case studies and much more - click here for details.