The uterine infection known as a pyometra results from the normal hormonal fluctuations experienced by all intact female dogs and cats. These fluctuations are responsible for the reproductive cycles of female animals which are not spayed. In a pyometra, the uterus begins to react abnormally to these hormonal fluctuations, resulting in a bacterial infection within the uterus.
As the disease progresses, toxins and bacteria within the uterus begin to leak into the blood stream and cause the affected dog or cat to become critically ill. Without medical intervention, which usually involves surgical removal of the infected uterine tract, the animal is doomed to death.
Symptoms of Pyometra in Dogs and Cats
The most common symptom of canine or feline pyometra is a bloody or pus-filled discharge from the vagina. When this discharge is present, the condition is referred to as an open pyometra, meaning that the cervix is open to allow the discharge to drain from the uterus.
In a closed pyometra, the cervix remains closed and no discharge is seen.
Other symptoms seen in a pyometra are:
- dehydration
- malaise
- lack of appetite
- weakness
- increased water consumption
- increased urine volume
- vomiting and
- fever.
Diagnosis of Pyometra in Dogs and Cats
Diagnosis begins with a thorough physical examination by your pet's veterinarian.
A history of not being spayed can increase the index of suspicion that the dog or cat is suffering from a pyometra.
Routine blood tests may reveal an elevated white blood cell count and other evidence of a bacterial infection. These tests will also allow evaluation of the other internal organs and help determine whether there are concurrent medical issues which might make surgical intervention more difficult and resolution of the pyometra less likely.
Radiographs may show an enlarged uterus but are often non-specific.
Ultrasonography can also help to determine whether the uterus is enlarged or not.
Ultimately, especially in the case of a closed pyometra, exploratory surgery may be the best method of confirming that the pet suffers from a pyometra.
Treatment of Canine and Feline Pyometra
The treatment of choice in pyometra is surgically removing the infected uterus and ovaries. This surgery accomplishes the same end result as a routine spay. However, surgery involving a pyometra is a much more complicated surgical procedure which is usually being performed on an animal who is unstable and not an ideal surgical candidate.
Pyometra surgery is not without the risk of complication, with the most common complications being peritonitis and excessive hemorrhage during and after the surgery.
Antibiotics and pain medications are necessary before, during and usually after a pyometra surgery.
Though surgery is the treatment of choice for feline or canine pyometra, there is another option. Injections of hormones known as prostaglandins can be administered to the dog or cat with a pyometra. These hormones cause the uterus to contract and expel its contents.
Prostaglandin therapy can be performed for those animals with concurrent health problems who cannot undergo surgery. It is also sometimes used in animals whose owners intend to breed the pet in the future. However, it should be noted that pyometras often cause damage and scarring within the uterus which may make conception impossible and it is possible for the pyometra to return in these dogs and cats. In addition, the risk of rupture of the uterus is substantial, which results in rapid decline of the pet's condition.
Prevention of Pyometra in Dogs and Cats
Spaying removes the uterus, thereby removing the possibility that a pyometra may develop. This is one of the major health benefits awarded by spaying a female dog or cat and that is a fact which cannot be over-emphasized.
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