Canine Pyometra Symptoms

Unless you get your female dog spayed as recommended by most veteranarians, there is a chance that she will get canine pyometra. Pyometra is a condition typified by pus formation inside the uterus. It mainly occurs in dogs over the age of 5 years old. It makes life quite difficult for the dog, and the end result is often death if the infected uterus is not removed through surgery.

The cause of the disease is imbalanced of female hormone, particularly progesterone. This results in overactivity of the lining of the uterus. The secretion of the uterus accumulate in the organ`s cavity, causes distention. Secondary infections also sometimes happen when bacterias enter the vagina.

The condition normally appears between one week to three months after the dog is in heat. A false pregnancy known as pseudocyesis, but studies have not proven a conclusive correlation between the two. But both are hormone-controlled conditions. Pyometra normally happens in unbred female canines, and those that have given birth.

Luckily the majority of pyometra cases are easily diagnosed based on te history of the dog`s recent heat, in addition to other medical signs. The typical signs are digestive problems like diarrhea, lack of appetite, and vomiting.

There are additional signs that occur, such as swelling of the abdomen, unquentionable thirst, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge. That discharge shows that the cervix has opened, and the discharge relieves some abdominal pressure and some of the toxic elements of pyometra.

It might be necessary to confirm diagnosis of the disease by use of radiograph and blood count. The radio (x ray) will display the swollen and pus-laden uterus clearly most of the time. The dog`s white bloodcell count can be more tan two to ten times the normal levels.

After confirming the diagnosis, surgery is the best solution. Medicinal treatment is sometimes prescribed, but even after recovering from the current bout of pyometra, the condition can resurface with the next heat if the infected uterus is not surgically removed.

If medicinal treatment is not successful, there is an added dager that the dog will become more ill than before, and be more of a surgical risk. Veteranarians are in general agreement that pyometra is a disease that requires surgery and that the infected organ needs to be removed early on to maximize te dog`s chances of survival. Though some owners who intend to use the dog for breeding purposes may avoid the surgical removal.

How Safe is the Surgery?

The possibility of surgery obviously makes dog owners nervous, especially owners of older dogs. But the truth is that the dog`s age doesn`t really affect the safety of the procedure. When other conditions exist in tandem with pyometra, such as kidney disease, heart disease, increase the risk of surgery. But even surgery under higher risk conditions can offer a good chance of survival, if proper supportive therapy is administered.