Pyometra

Dear Dr. Jody:  Our eight year old Rottweiler, Daisy, has had some unusual discharge from her rear end for the past two weeks.  She finished her last heat cycle six weeks ago, so she isn’t due for another cycle yet.  For the past three days, she has been incredibly thirsty but can’t seem to keep anything down.  What could be going on with Daisy?

Although there are hundreds of possible causes for vomiting and dozens of causes of excessive thirst in dogs, one thing we worry about with an unspayed female demonstrating these signs is a condition known as pyometra.

Pyometra is a serious infection of the lining of the uterus.  There are two classifications of pyometra:  open and closed.  In an open pyometra, the cervix, which normally provides a tight seal to the uterus, is slightly open and permitting drainage of infected material.  This may be the unusual discharge you are seeing in Daisy.  In a closed pyometra, the cervix prevents drainage of pus from the uterus and allows the organ to fill up with toxic fluid.  A closed pyometra often results in an animal becoming more acutely ill in a short period of time than an open pyometra.  The infection can quickly progress to the point where the immune system is overwhelmed.  The pet becomes septic and can go into shock which may result in cardiovascular collapse.

All suspected cases of pyometra should be treated as an emergency.  There is no quick and easy test that can single-handedly diagnose this condition.  Your veterinarian will take a thorough history and perform a complete physical exam.  Bloodwork and diagnostic imaging such as xrays or ultrasound can be used to help arrive at a diagnosis.  Once pyometra is confirmed, your pet will need to undergo an emergency spay.

A spay is also referred to as an ovariohysterectomy.  In this procedure, we are surgically removing the uterus and both of the ovaries.  In an elective spay (the routine preventative surgical procedure that most female puppies undergo at the age of six months), the diameter of the uterus is often about 5 mm.  It is not uncommon for a pyometra uterus to be so full of infection that it is distended to greater than 20 cm in diameter.  One can easily understand how uncomfortable and dangerous this condition can be.

Pyometra is 100% preventable.  Spaying your pet before her first heat not only eliminates the risk of pyometra, but it gives your pup a 99% chance of avoiding breast cancer later in life.  Some studies have shown that after her third heat, an unspayed bitch has a 26% chance of ultimately succumbing to breast cancer.

Many pet owners believe that the only reason to spay their pet is to ensure she will never have puppies.  While this is certainly one of the most important reasons to choose this surgery for your pup, it is by no means the only reason.  If you have an intact female, please consider having her spayed right away.  It is never too late to choose this surgery for your pet.  By eliminating the risk of pyometra and reducing the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cysts, and anal gland tumors, you will be significantly improving her chances of enjoying a long and healthy life.