Pyometra

A pyometra is an infection which affects the uterus causing the build up of pus. It is normally a progression of a condition called cystic endometrial hyperplasia.

I have actually seen quite a few cases of pyometra in some of the practices I've worked, since owners were reluctant to spay their pets.

Basically, cystic endometrial hyperplasia (fluid filled and swollen uterus) is common in older entire females. Progesterone (hormone) normally from the ovaries causes the uterus (womb) wall to thicken and the lumen (cavity of the uterus) to retain/fill with fluid (secretions). Therefore, in older bitches, they often have fluid in their uterus.

This makes the uterus a breeding ground for bacteria which can invade. If this happens, the womb fills up with pus making the dog ill (pyometra). Sometimes the cervix is open allowing the pus/discharge to drain from the vagina (open pyometra).If the cervix is closed and the pus can't drain,this is quite serious and can make the pet very ill (closed pyometra).

Normally, pyometras are diagnosed by ultrasonography, examination, bloods and clinical presentation. I normally treat them by dealing with the bacteria/toxins in the body first and then removing the source. I firstly stabilise the patients by putting them on a drip (intravenous fluids) and giving antibiotics. Once stable, I usually spay the animal and then send home when eating ok.

I have occasionally treated some pyometras just medically with varying degrees of success (normally very old patients, other disease present or owner wants to breed from). This involves giving an injectable prostaglandin drug for about 4-5 days to stimulate the uterus to contract and expel the pus via the vagina. You can only use this method with open pyometras and there is a risk of causing the wall of the uterus to rupture (burst uterus releasing pus into abdomen - very serious). Also prostaglandins generally make animals feel ill - vomit, inappetant, fever etc.

To be honest, in most cases, it is better to spay the animal than use medical therapy because the animal will still have cystic endometrial hyperplasia (fluid filled uterus) despite treating the pyometra meaning a recurrence of the pyometra is very likely.

The statistics show that 1 in every 4 entire female dogs develop pyometra by the age of 10 years.