Pyometra is a life-threatening bacterial infection of the uterus that commonly occurs between 2-10 weeks after a female dog comes out of heat. Girl doggies more than 6 years old are pre-disposed to this illness.
Help! My dog has pyometra, Spring Hill Vet.
Symptoms include lethargy, poor appetite, vomiting, increased drinking and urination or bloody pus discharging from the vulva.
The diagnosis of pyometra is made after thorough history taking, presence of vaginal discharge or visualization of an enlarged, fluid filled uterus seen on xrays or ultrasound. Sometimes your local vet may run blood tests to help diagnose pyometra.
Pyometra is a serious illness, and surgical removal of the infected uterus is the best treatment. Intravenous fluids and antibiotics will be required to aid in the recovery of your pet. If your pooch is a young, valuable breeding bitch, then medical management may be considered. Your local vet may give a series of hormone injections to help the uterus expel the pus. However this method of treatment has considerable risks and your pet may still need surgery at the end of the day.
Prevention is better than cure, so desex your female dog early.
