Signs and Treatment of Pyometra

Pyometra means, literally, "pus in the uterus". It is a severe bacterial infection that can lead rapidly to dehydration, kidney failure and death. It can occur in any unspayed female dog or cat, but it is most common in middle aged or older animals that have gone through several heat cycles without a pregnancy. It is also more common in animals treated with reproductive hormones, especially estrogen. The uterus responds abnormally to the hormones produced during the heat cycle causing a secretion of mucus and inflammatory cells to collect in the uterus. A bacterial infection then develops--which can spread throughout the body. If this happens, the condition then becomes a form of blood poisoning. This results in widespread infection throughout the body--leading to shock and death. Kidney infections often develop.

Symptoms Include: Depression, loss of appetite, excessive thirst, increased urination, dehydration, vomiting, fever, and vaginal discharges of blood or pus. Signs may gradually occur over several weeks or months. Excessive thirst is often the first sign. Pyometra is diagnosed by clinical signs, a history of not being spayed, laboratory testing of blood and urine, and sometimes exploratory surgery.

X-rays often reveal two large sausage-like structures in the abdomen. These patients should almost always be operated on right now, not after work, not in the morning, not in a few days.

Most Common Treatment: The most common treatment, which is the safest for your pet, is Ovariohysterectomy (Spaying), which removes the infected uterus and the rest of the internal female reproductive tract. Fluids and antibiotics are needed to compact shock, infection, and dehydration. If the disease is caught early the prognosis for complete recovery is good. However, the disease is often not diagnosed until it has reached a late stage, or the affected animal may be older and have other health problems, such as kidney or heart disease. The prognosis in these cases is much poorer.