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Mizia
by admin on June 1st, 2015
Category: Pet of the Month, Tags:
Our pet of the month is Mizia, seen here recovering from a hysterectomy she urgently needed for pyometra.
Pyometra is an infection of the uterus (womb). It is a common condition in older female dogs that have not been speyed, but can occur in entire bitches of any age. Occasionally we see cases occurring in cats.
Each time a bitch has a season (usually about twice a year) she undergoes all the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy – whether she becomes pregnant or not. The changes in the uterus that occur with each season make infection more likely with age. A very common organism called E. coli, found in your dog’s faeces, usually causes the infection. We most commonly see cases of pyometra in the 4-6week period after a heat.
The symptoms usually develop around 6 weeks after the female has finished bleeding from her last season, but in some cases the bitch appears to have a prolonged season.
Early signs that you may notice are that your dog is:
- Licking her back end more than normal
- Off colour
- Off her food
- Drinking more than normal (and will probably urinate more)
These signs will progress and you may see:
- Pus (yellow/red/brown discharge) from her vulva
- She may have a swollen abdomen
- Vomiting
- Collapse
If left untreated signs will worsen to the point of dehydration, collapse and death from septic shock.
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