Pyometra symptoms and treatment in dogs
76Another reason why dogs should be spayed
The simple thought of having a female dog potentially go through a condition as serious as pyometra, should allow new owners to quickly make the decision of having their dog spayed. Pyometra is basically a life threatening infection in the uterus causing an accumulation of pus in the uterine cavity. The condition appears to typically occur in non spayed female dogs over the age of 6 years old.
Typically, a case of Pyometra may present approximately between 4 to 8 weeks after the last heat. Because during a dog's heat the cervix is relaxed, bacteria may easily have access and flourish on the thickened uterus walls. Once the bacteria has set ground, shortly thereafter, the uterus will become thick, fill with fluid and cause symptoms of malaise in the dog.
Symptoms of Pyometra
There are two types of Pyometra: open and closed.
- In an open pyometra, the cervix is relaxed and the dog will have a foul pus like vaginal discharge often resembling tomato soup. Such discharge may be found on the floor or in places where the dog lays on. There may not be many other accompanying symptoms.
- When the Pyometra is closed, the dog pus is trapped inside causing the uterus to enlarge often causing abdominal swelling. Some times the enlarge uterus become so heavy that the dog has a hard time getting up and the rear legs will be weak.
Because of this toxic build up, closed pyometra affected dogs will begin to appear lethargic for no reason. They may refuse to eat and may drink a lot of water in an attempt of flushing the harmful bacteria out. The increased drinking obviously will cause increased urination. Vomiting and diarrhea may also develop. If left untreated, the uterus may rupture and the dog may develop sepsis with a high fever with rapid pulse and symptoms of shock. The condition at this point will ultimately be fatal within 24-48 hours.
Diagnosis of Pyometra
Any time an intact female dog becomes sick for no obvious reason it is a good idea to rule out this serious condition. Diagnosis is usually obtained via blood work confirming signs of infection such as a high white blood count. An ultrasound or X-ray may show an uterus filled with pus or enlarged.
Treatment of Pyometra
When diagnosed early treatment can be very effective, Treatment mainly consists of fluids to correct dehydration. Antibiotics to fight off the infection and surgery which in reality is the a spay with the removal of the uterus, The surgery per se can be quite risky, because any spill of the toxic contents of the uterus may cause peritonitis.
In some cases, when the pyometra is open and the dog is a dam used for breeding, antibiotics may be given and prostglandins(Lutalyse) that relax the cervix and stimulates contractions that help remove the pus from the uterus. However, there are high chances of the pyometra to recur unless the dog is bred on the next heat cycle.
As seen, Pyometra is a very serious condition not worth the risk. If you own an intact female, but yet, you are not a professional breeder, it is strongly advised to have your dog spayed.
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JUST LOST MY BORDER COLLIE TO PYOMETRA, VET WENT STRAIGHT FOR SURGERY, BUT SHE DID'NT RECOVER. I GOT HER CREMATED AND HAVE HER ASHES, I WONDER THOU DID HE MAKE A MISTAKE? WHEN HE OPENED HER UP? I WILL NEVER KNOW.
my Dog just came out of surgery and she doing way better her stonmach gotten way skinner at first it was big but it went down now she can walk and everything when we went to go see her yesterday she was up walking and everything so we go get her today at 1:00 .
This is an awfull thing for a dog, mine in vets waiting for emerg surgery, im hoping i hear good news when i call in morning.she not old atall...... Not quiet 4!
My baby has just had emergency surgery tonight and it's still touch and go whether she will pull through but I had her to the vets on Monday and she was just coming off heat and I mentioned to the vets that she was loosing a thicker blood bit clotty and they never picked up on it. I have taken her back today because she looked to have an eye infection and that is when they have picked up the Pyometra she was ready for rupturing and I mentioned that we had had her there on Monday and that no one had picked up on why she was so poorly.The vets said that she could have developed the pyrometra with in 24 hours ...Do you think they are just covering their backs...May I add that my dog hadn't been herself due to the fact that she started being Epileptic less than 3 weeks ago and she isn't 4 yet....Please if anyone has any answers please help I nearly lost her and I am gutted.
Hi Sage or Henry, I was wondering how your dog is from her surgery . My Shana just went in emergency surgery today with the same thing were all praying that she pulls through it all and back to her happy self . surgery went well now its the wait with IVs flushing her out . good luck
My dog was spayed 3 and 1/2 years ago with 1 ovary left as the vet said it was better for her health. She has gone into heat every 4 to 6 months ever since. The vet explained that she has cysts on her remaining ovary. When I asked about surgery, the vet explained that it was not recommended and would be dangerous. The vet´s therapy has been to give the dog hormone injections each time she went into heat. The last time she went into heat, my husband and I said that we felt that surgery was necessary. We went to another vet and explained the situation. To our horror, the new vet found that our dog wasn't spayed but that her tubes were tied and her uterus was completely cut up. Vet 2 performed emergency surgery and found that the dogs spleen was very inflamed. My dog has been in the vet clinic for over a week now with septic peritonitis. She is on IV fluids and has not eaten for over a week. She is now beginning to drink water and fluids. Her spirit has improved and a can take her on slow and short walks. She is only 4 and I can't imagine losing her to such negligence on the first vets part... What is the prognosis for her?
Septic peritonitis may have erupted as a complication from surgery or as a result from pancreatitis, pyometra and other conditions causing the upbringing of material and microorganisms into the dog's bloodstream.
Prognosis obviously varies depending on how quickly treatment is sought and response to antibiotic therapy. The first few days are the most critical, so if your dog is doing better it is a good sign.
According to the article below: survival rates range wildly between 27 to 80% so as seen it is difficult to give a straightforward answer. Sending best wishes your way for a full recovery.
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:xoEvImOP/images/SEPTICPERITONITIS.pdf+dog+septic+peritonitis+prognisis]&hl=en&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShjhWDeNPwFxGL4cNigLVY3Tg1sgFczVUQLSLTLLuFN_pHJB_TFHpMCEJ_P8iXyi2lbYh3LO3mSZWHEUuZGbpfwvnOrzZVkzX_b9HOTQMpwme5LXw3vsxNllAma5BX1-tPKPkLx&sig=AHIEtbTVNXVaxEvtOy4ZWKteQPKbdHkz8g
My 6 year old sheltie was fine on Friday night, ate her dinner, went to bed normally. At 6.00 am Saturday morning she was lying on the floor and could not move. We rushed her to the vet to be told it was a closed pyometra, temp of 105, blood pressure in her feet. She was on a drip for 4 hours to stabilise her and had surgery at 2.00 pm - she came through the surgery but has serious sepsis and the vet has told us to expect the worst. She is haemorrhaging from the bowel, with bloody diarrhoea. I am at my wits end. Friday evening she was fine, now we are living on a knife edge, just waiting on the call, the vet has said, her organs will probably shut down, as a result of the sepsis. We are heart broken over this dreadful, silent disease.
I cannot imagine how terrible and nerve wrecking the wait may be. Keeping fingers crossed for the best.
Many thanks, her breathing is now laboured. Just waiting on a call from the vet. I think its time to make a decision. I am devastated. She is only 6 and has been placed at Crufts, best in show, best of breeds,group wins etc., She is so precious to me.
I am so sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, closed pyometra is one of those conditions with quite a poor prognosis, a very unfortunate event. Sorry you are going through such a devastating ordeal. Sending you a virtual hug.
Two weeks ago, my female dog 6 years of age had vaginal bleeding. Prior to that, she had bouts of scanty vaginal bleeding. I called a vet and he said that my dog might be just "menstruating." I thought it was not anymore normal that she was bleeding (Blood oozing from her vagina) with every movement. So I called in a vet to pick her up and sent to a hospital. The suspected pyometra and she turned out to be positive with adult heartworms. They were supposed to perform removal of her uterus and ovaries but they said that it would be a very risky procedure since she has heartworms and already 6 years old, which might cost my dog's life soon they said. After 9 days, they sent her home since the bleeding has already ceased but she has a distended abdomen, and they put my dog on supportive medications: Furosemide 40mg 2x/day, Pet tabs 2x/day, Milk Thistle (Silymarin) for the liver, and doxycycline 2x/day. What is the prognosis of my dog? Do you think she'll pull through. She was breathing fast and always panting. What should I do? Please advise. I can send you images or video of my dog if you want :) Thanks.
It never hurts to ask the opinion of another vet.. have they prescribed anything to get her rid of heartworms? or did they assume it was too risky? Her prognosis ultimately depends on what grade of heart worm she has, here is a table:
My dog sharna is 15 to 16 nearly and just started to worry because she was leaking white fluid from her vagina we were worried thanks to google I found out what she has got now its just decision to if we should get her surgery or not
My boxer is only 17 months and has been diagnosed with pyometra. She is now recovering after surgery. Is my boxer very young to have this, I thought this was a condition older dogs developed.
Hi,
I have a small side dog and she is around 10.5 years now.
She has pyometra and the vet is suggesting immediate surgery. the only concern we have is that even after the surgery, if she suffers more due to her age and that she is quite weak at the moment.
We had seen the vet on friday noon and was her surgery was scheduled for saturday morning, but after getting to know about a few cases totally gone bad with a dog as a small size and this age having surgery during pyometra, we kinda got in double mind and have asked the vet to postpone it to monday.
meanwhile, we are going to see another vet to ensure that the surgery is the last option we have.
Meanwhile, a family friend doctor has advised to give her tablet norflox and also some paracetamol drops morning and evening.
My worry is that till yesterday her cervix must be open that pus was dropping out of her uterus, but since morning there is no pus and she doesn't seem quite comfortable. If the cervix has closed and we are waiting till monday, could it lead to something leathal?
I am just looking for the best solution to her problem. Be it whatever.
With such a serious condition I would be concerned on waiting too long, so I would personally feel safer having her see a vet as soon as possible since she does not seem to be getting better.
I feel for everyone learning about this deadly disease and am having an issue myself. I rescued a 3 year old? chow mix dog and the Vet checked her and saw a scar so he and also another Vet who did vaccines thought she was spayed. I noticed she was not eating recently but drinking lots of water and took her to the vet right away first day after she stopped. 3 days and 3rd Vet later he diagnosed her with quick results blood work and ex-rays saying he suspected pyometra. I told him to fix her that day and he did surgery to remove it. He said the surgery looked good and she seemed ok when I got her and was improving every day with no signs of pain and wanted to do her daily walks but never would eat and after a week still will not eat anything. She likes to drink a lot of water still as before surgery but seems ok except for that not eating fact. She took her antibiotics for 4 days of injections and oral meds and is almost her self personality wise and her activities. I am always home and I try every few hours many dry and wet dog foods and even human foods and her treats she used to crave. Took her back 2 times to Vet that did surgery and he can not find any problems and the blood work is normal after 1 week post surgery. Now 9 days after surgery she still refuses food. Any suggestions or ideas are appreciated. Going to another Vet starting today with all records and blood work and will try a new Vet a day until she starts eating. Please help!
Hi Alexadry,
thanks for your suggestion and concern. The other Vet who i took her said that she doesn't seem in as bad condition as been said by the previous Vet.
Got her blood test and culture report. Things seem to be as such ok.
This new Vet has given oral antibiotics - Norflox 200 mg(1/4th - mrng and evening) and she is again going to have a look this coming saturday.
the new Vet said that Spay would be the last option she should go for.. since she is around 10 years+ and at this age and the size, its quite risky taking anesthesia.
I hope this antibiotic works and we don't have to go for her surgery.
To everyone on this site, we have just picked up our baby girl after 10 days for treatment of PYOMETRA , she is only 1 yr and 11 months old , this can happen at any age our specialist said and we had never heard of this disease before, we were so scared that we were going to lose her , but after having everything explained by Dr Thomas he put our mind at ease .
After seeing Dr Phillip Thomas we new she was in the best care and new everything will be ok. our baby is still on medication, but is eating and gaining weight fast and has her cheekiness back which we missed so much.
My advice to anyone who needs the best advice is to see Dr Thomas he is fantastic
he is worth the money and your loved one will be treated as if it was his own.
Queensland Veterinary Specialist 07 33590777.
All the best to everyone . Shane & Marie
Chop chop lover, I have no idea how to help you. I wish I could but I am not a vet and the vets you saw are already doing their best. I hope your other vet figures something out for you, best of wishes.
Thank you alexadry for your concern and wishes. I got my dog to eat finally but it was a scarey 10 days or so until she would eat anything. She at least was drinking lots of water to survive. I consulted another Vet who ran more blood work to test liver, kidney and pancreas etc. which showed she was good after the pyometra surgery. My Vet agreed with me thinking that she may be in pain and gave her a pain injection and a liquid pain medicine that I could get her to swallow 2 times a day since she would not swallow pills or food. She suggested a Royal Canin Vet food for gastrol intestinal distress and human heartburn medicine Pepsid AC since she thought she may be sick to her stomach with heartburn etc. I enticed her with boneless skinless chicken and lean hamburger cooked in water as I slowly got her to eat human food and a few days later she began to eat some of the Vet food and some beef wet dog food but I had to feed her with a spoon. She finally got her appetite back for her treats and her dry dog food eating more each day after almost 2 weeks and did not need me to spoon it to her. Now she is back to eating her normal amount after 3 weeks since she got ill and seems back to her happy self patroling the yard and wanting to walk twice a day and she is not tiring at all. Hope my experience helps others who are having similar problems. Jim
Hi My Female dog pet who is my life is 10 years and diagonised with pyometra.she is oozing pus out. She has been weak and the psu is dark green and her stool is watery mud brown. we have put her on Byroin tb 150 mg (i assume it is antibiotic) as advised by vet. iam asked to go in for Emergencysurgery and am really really very concerned about the safety.How safe are these surgeries considering she is 10 years.she has lost weight as the pus is thck and green and coming out in small clots.
I think Raf that you must make a decision quickly like I did. My decision was to let my dog have surgery right away and my Vet was optimistic he knew what to do to save her and she would do well. I would do some research on success rates for this surgery since it is available here on this hub and on other sites. My dog was a chow mix who I rescued and we estimated her age to be 3-6 years old. I saw my girl was not eating and was lethargic for just a couple days and the other symptons were just starting. So I took her to the first Vet to find out why. 3 Vets later he did the surgery as soon as he diagnosed it as pyometra. I gave the ok since he told me survival is dependant how advanced the pyometra is. My dog had eating problems after surgery as I posted in this hub (read what I wrote) but she is almost 4 weeks post surgery and back to being herself in all ways including her appetite. Good luck!
Fantastic information on Pyometra! I am linking in with a new hub. Thanks for always having such spot-on canine research.
Cheers~
Not to happy actually about it, this was probably written some years ago, I do better hubs now and should re-model all the old ones, lol!
I found it to offer the exact information I needed to assure my readers get the best experience. But, I always find your work a great linking choice! ;)
Thanks K9, you are really kind!
Our 8 year old blue heeler just had the surgery. She also had to have 2 blood transfusions one before and one after surgery. I can only get her to eat chicken breast cooked in the crock pot. She is also losing all her toes and pads on her front paws. It is absolutely horrible. Like some flesh eating disease. We still do not know what is going to happen. There needs to be more awareness about this disease.
Starr, I never heard of that! that is awful, I hope they figure out what is causing that; it does not sounds like something that would happen in this condition.
My dog has just been diagnosed with Pyometra.hers is open. She is 13 and the vet says with or without the surgery she will die. I have her on antibiotics and a pain killer because she also has arthritis. I am giving her a fighting chance just because I know she is strong. I am losing my bestfriend and I can't do anything to help her. Today she was a different dog. She was happy, wanted to play catch. I saw hope in her. Although she doesn't want to eat. I don't want to put her down but I don't want her to suffer. If I put her down I'll never know if she would've beat the odds. I feel very heartbroken and extremely lost. I know if she dies from this it will be painful for both her and myself, but she is a tough girl. Please can I have some advice. Thank you
Aims, is there an underlying medical condition? I am not sure why your vet is not wanting to perform surgery,the only way I know of that antibiotics will treat a pyometra is if used along with a drug to cause uterine contractions, called prostaglandins. Antibiotics alone will not treat a pyometra. It may be worth it to ask a second opinion.
Old age is not a disease, if they perform blood work, she may be OK to have surgery. I have seen vets perform this surgery in dogs as old or slightly older as yours with success. See if another vet is willing to give prostglandins and suggests surgery. If you do not have her spayed, the next time she comes into heat, she may likely have another pyometra. Best wishes!
All three of our dogs had pyometra and survivred theres were closed. Now this other dog has open and is on antibiotics hoping she makes it
henry 2 years ago
I do reccomend spaying your dog aswell, my dog just got pyometra and she suffered alot, and it cost me 2,300$. And even after the surgery they re not sure if she will make it.