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Pet of the Month – January 2017 – Sophia
by admin on January 3rd, 2017
Category: Pet of the Month, Tags:
Pet of the month for January is Sophia, an 11-year-old Pug. She is seen here in post-op recovery having just had an ovariohysterectomy to treat a condition called pyometra.
Pyometra is an infection of the uterus (womb). It is a common condition in older female dogs that have not been spayed but can occur in un-spayed dogs of any age. Occasionally we see cases occurring in cats.
What causes pyometra?
Each time a female dog 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 during each season making 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. Injections with some hormones to stop seasons or for the treatment of other conditions can also increase the risk of pyometra developing.
What are the signs of pyometra?
Pyometra is of course, only seen in females (since males do not have a uterus). It is more common in older females (above 6 years of age) but can be seen at any age. The signs 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.
Diagnosis
Your vet will probably suspect your dog has a pyometra based on your description of the signs and from their examination of your pet. They may suggest procedures such as ultrasound and blood tests confirm the diagnosis, rule out other possible causes and to check that your pet is well enough to undergo treatment.
Treatment
The treatment of choice for pyometra is surgery to remove the uterus as soon as possible. The operation is essentially the same as a routine spay, however, there is more risk involved and a higher chance of complications when the operation is being carried out on a sick pet. Your dog will also be given intravenous fluids (a drip), antibiotics and pain relief.
Most dogs will make a full recovery after treatment for a pyometra if the condition is caught early. Spaying your dog before she develops a pyometra will prevent this condition occurring.
We are delighted to report that Sophia has made a full recovery after surgery.
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