Neutering, or spaying your female dog is a decision that carries numerous benefits, including living a longer and healthier life – in fact a University of Georgia study, based on the medical records of more than 70,000 animal patients, found that the life expectancy of neutered male dogs was 13.8% longer and that of spayed female dogs was 26.3% longer*.
One of the main draws for neutering your pet is that it stops them from reproducing and coming into season. However, there are many other important benefits to neutering your pet, including preventing them from getting some illnesses or diseases, such as some types of cancer or pyometra.
In this blog, we’ll focus on one of the lesser-known uterus infections, pyometra, and provide an overview of the signs and symptoms to look out for if you are seeing a change in your dog’s behaviour.
What is pyometra?
Pyometra is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, affecting unspayed female dogs.
It’s an infection of the womb (uterus) that happens because of hormonal changes and bacteria that can move up from the vagina into the uterus.
What causes pyometra in dogs?
Pyometra is caused by prolonged exposure to the hormone progesterone following estrus (heat cycle).
This hormonal influence leads to the thickening of the uterine lining and reduced immune defenses, creating a favourable environment for bacterial infection.
Repeated exposure to oestrogen and progesterone without the dog getting pregnant can increase the risk of pyometra.
Pyometra Symptoms
If you notice changes in your dog’s behaviour, such as a decreased appetite, increased lethargy, or excessive thirst, these could be early signs of pyometra. There may also be vaginal discharge, although this does not occur in all cases.
As the illness progresses, your dog may become very ill, showing signs such as vomiting and reluctance to move. These symptoms indicate that your pet is suffering and immediate action is required.
If left untreated, the infection can lead to kidney failure, toxemia, dehydration, and in some cases, death.
Can a dog that has been spayed get pyometra?
A dog that has been properly spayed cannot get pyometra because the procedure involves removing the uterus and ovaries, eliminating the potential for this uterine infection.
In rare cases, if some ovarian tissue remains after surgery (a condition called ovarian remnant syndrome), hormonal activity could theoretically cause a pyometra-like condition.
Diagnosing pyometra
Pyometra is diagnosed through a combination of clinical examination and diagnostic tests.
Here at Aldgate, our expert veterinarians carry out the following:
A physical examination, to check for signs such as abdominal distension, fever, and discharge.
Blood tests to review levels of elevated white blood cells and other changes indicating infection and inflammation.
Carry out an ultrasound to scan the womb to provide images of the uterus, identifying enlargement and the presence of fluid.
Pyometra treatment
The most effective treatment for pyometra is the surgical removal of the uterus. This procedure is similar to a spay but is more complex due to the infection.
The sooner the surgery is performed after diagnosis, the better the chances of your dog’s survival.
After surgery, your dog may be given pain relief and antibiotics. It’s important to follow the instructions to give the medicine at the correct time and dose.
We recommend your dog wears a recovery vest to prevent licking and you should ensure they stay rested to allow the wound to heal properly.
If you have any problems with wound healing or pain management, contact our veterinary team.
How long can a dog live with pyometra?
A dog with pyometra typically cannot survive long without treatment.
The infection can progress rapidly, leading to severe illness and potentially death within days to weeks if left untreated.
Immediate veterinary care is crucial to ensure the dog’s survival and recovery.
Sasha’s story – surviving pyometra with treatment at our practice
Meet one of our patients who survived major pyometra surgery to remove the uterus infection.
Sasha, a 9-year-old Shetland Sheepdog, visited our vet Emma with symptoms of abdominal pain, inappetence, vomiting and lethargy.
Following an abdominal ultrasound scan, Sasha was found to be suffering from canine Pyometra and following intravenous fluid therapy, was rushed into emergency surgery at our hospital in Bridlington for a spay procedure. Sasha’s uterus had become infected and filled with pus which if left untreated, could have been life-threatening for her.
Since the procedure, Sasha has made a great recovery and her owner has kindly shared some photos of her relaxing at home.
Emma, our Veterinary Surgeon commented “Thankfully Sasha has recovered well from her emergency surgery to remove her infected womb – she really was a very poorly girl when I saw her last week and it was wonderful to see her at post-op check back to her bright and happy self.
This disease is life-threatening and completely preventable by having your dog spayed. We encourage all dog owners to seek veterinary advice if their pup hasn’t been neutered.“
Get in touch
We highly recommend getting your female pet spayed, not only for the enormous health benefits, but the cost of a spay is also much cheaper than the cost of spaying an animal because they have Pyometra. Pyometra is a serious infection that requires hospitalisation, antibiotics, and intensive nursing care – not to mention the unnecessary immense stress it can bring to families.
If you are concerned about your pet’s health or want to discuss neutering your pet, get in touch with our expert team today. Call us on 01262 677269 (Bridlington) or 0808 588 0274 (Driffield) to book an appointment with a vet and seek advice.
*Hoffman, J. M., Creevy, K. E., & L. Promislow, D. E. (2013). Reproductive Capability Is Associated with Lifespan and Cause of Death in Companion Dogs. PLOS ONE, 8(4), e61082. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0061082
