Pyometra Everything to know about it • What is a pyometra? The word ‘pyometra’ is composed of two words: →‘ Pyo ’ , meaning related to pus and infection →‘Metra’, meaning uterus. Pyometra is then the medical term for an infection of the uterus , where the uterus ends up filling with pus. ⚠ There are 2 categories of pyometra: Closed and open A closed pyometra is when the uterus remains intact containing the purulent discharge; and open when the uterus ruptures, freeing the pus into the abdominal cavity. CDPR, 2022 Vetwest • How would my dog get one? Pyometras generally develop within the few weeks after a heat cycle. Female dogs, when not spayed, go on heat every 6 months for about 18 days. The original trigger is a bacterial infection developing in the uterus. Any intact female dog is susceptible to develop one, and the risk increases with each heat cycle. Pet Parents Brooks, 2022 Blue Cross, 2023 Pyometra Everything to know about it. • What are the symptoms? First of all , it is important to remember that only intact females are prone to pyometra. The first symptoms you might notice at home will be: Increased water intake and urination (called polydipsia and polyuria ), vomiting, lethargy, fever, anorexia, excessive licking of genital parts. Then you will notice a distended abdomen and thick vaginal discharges, of color yellow / greenish and possibly containing blood. Your dog might also pant excessively, because of the pain, discomfort and fever; and she might have difficulties sitting up, still because of the abdominal pain. • How to prevent it? The only way to prevent pyometra, is to spay your dog. The age of spay is to be discussed with your DVM, as different size dogs will be spayed at different age. Spaying a female dog is to surgically remove her reproductive organs (Uterus and ovaries), she will therefore be unable to have puppies. It is a very common routine surgery done daily. ⚠ In very rare cases, a spayed dog will develop what is called a “Stump pyometra”, if ovarian tissues were left behind during surgery. Weir, 2022 Brooks, 2022 Pyometra Everything to know about it. • What do I do if my dog show sign of pyometra? If your intact female shows signs corresponding with a pyometra, call your DVM immediately and get her seen the very same day, the sooner the better. If your DVM is unavailable or cannot see her, call an emergency veterinary hospital as pyometra can be fatal and turn for the worse very fast. ⚠ If your dog needs to be carried, DO NOT apply pressure on her abdomen, as it could apply pressure on the uterus and rupture it. If the uterus were to rupture, without immediate medical assistance the dog will not survive. • How will the DVM diagnose it? Pyometra being an infection, some bloodwork will be done. If it is indeed a pyometra, we will see a severe increase of white blood cell. With physical examination it could be enough to confirm a pyometra. If still unsure, an abdominal radiography or ultrasound to verify the integrity of the uterus’ structure can be done. Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, 2022 Abnormally large uterus, indicating it is filled with liquid Weir, 2022 Kivistö , 1977 Pyometra Everything to know about it. • How will my dog be treated? For a pyometra, the treatment is very straight forward as it is surgery. Antibiotics will not be effective, and the body will not be able to break down the pus produced. Each additional minute waited increases the risk for the uterus to rupture, causing potential hemorrhage, and a septic chock. The surgery is the same as a routine spay, removing reproductive organs, but will be more risky because of the risk of contamination from the infected uterus. The tissues will be inflamed causing heavier bleeding and antibiotics (generally ampicillin) will be administered intravenously during surgery to minimize contamination risk. • What to expect after surgery? Like for any surgery, your dog will have to stay calm, indoor and with restricted activity (leash walks only, no running, jumping, swimming, playing with other dogs) for 10 to 14 days for the tissues to heal properly. Despite the reproductive organs and the infection being removed, your dog will most likely have to go through a 7 to 14 days course of antibiotics, until vaginal discharges are completely stopped. Incision site will need to stray clean and dry; your dog will have to wear an e - collar (or cone of shame) to keep her from licking the incision site Weir, 2022 Pyometra - References - Blue Cross. (2023, May 22). Pyometra in dogs: Causes, symptoms & treatment . Blue Cross. https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/health - and - injuries/pyometra - in - dogs#:~:text=Pyometra%20is%20caused%20by%20a,of%20inf ection%20much%20more%20likely. brooks, W. (2022). Pyometra in dogs and cats . VIN. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/ default.aspx?pid =19 239&id=4951481#:~:text=The%20word%20pyometra%20is%20d erived,and%20“metra”%20meaning%20uterus. CDPR. (2022, February 8). Pyometra in dogs: Symptoms: Diagnoses and treatment: Symptoms, treatment and prevention . Center for Dog Pain Relief. https://dogpainrelief.com/pyometra - in - dogs/ Kivistö , A. K., Vasenius , H., & Sandholm , M. (1977). Laboratory diagnosis of canine pyometra . Acta veterinaria Scandinavica. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8377688/ #:~:text=The%20principal%20laboratory%20test%20used,a %20characteristic%20of%20the%20disease. Pet Parents. (n.d.). The pet parents® guide to female dogs in heat . Pet Parents® | Because they are family®. https://petparentsbrand.com/blogs/pet - parents - guides/the - pet - parents - guide - to - female - dogs - in - heat Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. (2022, May 2). Pyometra . The Animal Medical Center. https://www.amcny.org/pet_health_library/pyometra/ VetWest . (2022, September 13). Pyometra in dogs Vetwest Veterinary Clinics. https://www.vetwest.com.au/pet - library/pyometra - in - dogs/ Weir, M., & Ward, E. (2022). Pyometra in dogs: VCA Canada Animal Hospitals VcaCanada https://vcahospitals.com/know - your - pet/pyometra - in - dogs