One of the reasons people spay their female dogs is to prevent them from birthing puppies. Yet, this service can also prevent dogs from developing complications from infections like Pyometra, which could be deadly. If you have an unspayed female dog, the best thing you can do to prevent them from suffering from this disease is to recognize the signs and symptoms of pyometra in dogs.
Our local Desoto vet clinic put together the guide below to help you learn more about the early warning signs of pyometra and how you can help your pet if it has it.
What’s Pyometra in Dogs?
Pyometra in dogs is a uterine infection. It can form several weeks after a dog enters its heat cycle due to elevated progesterone levels.
During a dog’s heat cycle, their body will produce excess progesterone, a hormone that causes a thickening of the uterus lining to prepare it for pregnancy. Those hormonal levels can stay high for roughly two months. Yet, in the midst of the dog’s cycle, its cervix can relax and allow bacteria like E. coli to enter the cervix and uterus, which can lead to infection.
Though the dog’s immune system will release white blood cells to fight the bacteria, it’s not always enough. If the animal has multiple heat cycles without a pregnancy, their uterine lining will continue thickening, promoting cyst development. The fluid the lining produces, along with the cysts and the relaxation of the cervix, make it easy for female dogs to develop life-threatening bacterial infections like pyometra.
Types of Pyometra
Pyometra comes in two forms: open and closed. One of the signs and symptoms of pyometra in dogs is a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, which can be green, yellow, or white. The pus in the dog’s uterus drains from the vagina because the cervix stays open, hence the term “open pyometra.”
Conversely, closed pyometra has no cervical opening for the pus to drain. Instead, it builds up within the animal’s body, creating an emergent situation that could result in death if untreated. Too much fluid buildup can cause the uterus to rupture.
Symptoms of Open Pyometra
Knowing the early signs and symptoms of pyometra in dogs starts with recognizing the differences between closed and open pyometra. For open pyometra, symptoms can include:
- Appetite loss
- Excessive licking around their private area after a heat cycle
- Visible, foul-smelling discharge
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Behavioral changes
- Increased thirst
- Loss of energy
- Increased urination
It can be tougher to recognize a closed pyometra infection in your dog since it won’t have vaginal discharge. Still, your pet will exhibit noticeable warning signs like excessive panting, high fevers, and a swollen or bloated belly.
What To Do If Your Dog Has Pyometra
As soon as you notice any of these signs and symptoms of pyometra in dogs with your pet, you should immediately take them to a vet for an assessment. The sooner your pet gets a pyometra diagnosis, the better their chances of recovery. Without treatment, your dog is at risk of sepsis, a high fever, or a ruptured uterus.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Pyometra in Dogs
Once you get your dog to the veterinary clinic, the vet will thoroughly examine your pet. If they think pyometra is a possibility but the animal isn’t experiencing discharge, the veterinarian will check for a swollen belly. They may also use an ultrasound or X-ray machine for a closer look at the dog’s uterus.
Since white blood cell counts and globulin levels are higher in dogs with pyometra, vets can perform a blood test to diagnose the infection. If discharge is present, the veterinarian may take a sample and test it to determine the type of bacteria plaguing your beloved pet.
Possible Pyometra Treatments
Most veterinarians will recommend spaying dogs with pyometra to rid the body of the infection and prevent the problem from reoccurring. This option is especially beneficial for dogs with advanced closed pyometra and swollen uteruses.
Surgery might not be necessary for a dog with open pyometra. Since discharge is one of the signs and warnings of pyometra in dogs, a vet may provide antibiotics to fight the infection and prostaglandins to relax the uterus and let more of the pus drain from the uterus. This option is only ideal during the early stages of the illness.
The problem with the alternative pyometra treatment is that the infection could return. The prostaglandin injections take about a week and usually require hospitalization for observation. Despite the effectiveness of prostaglandin injections, it doesn’t guarantee that the pyometra infection won’t damage the dog’s uterus, reoccur, or cause problems with future pregnancies.
How To Help Your Dog With Pyometra
If you think your unspayed dog has pyometra from E.coli or another bacterial infection, don’t wait to get them to a vet. Waiting too long for treatment can be catastrophic for your pet. Other ways to help your dog include:
- Ensuring they get plenty of water to replace the fluids they lose
- Give the dog all prescribed medicines according to the vet’s instructions
- Prevent your dog from doing strenuous activities for at least two weeks if they have surgery
Schedule a Veterinary Appointment for Your Dog Today
Pyometra is a serious bacterial infection in dogs that can turn fatal without immediate treatment. Though the outlook of the condition after surgical treatment is good, the longer you overlook the signs and symptoms of pyometra in dogs, the more danger you put your cherished pet in.
Spaying your female dog is the best way to prevent dog uterus infections like pyometra. Yet if your pet has the condition, you can turn to Penny Paws Animal Clinic in Desoto, Texas for help. Our veterinary clinic offers comprehensive animal exams, emergency dog surgery, spaying services, and more to ensure your beloved pet has a wonderful, healthy quality of life.
Whether you’re curious about dog fur discoloration or you notice the signs and symptoms of pyometra in dogs with your pet, our Penny Paws team can help — call (469) 807-3030 today to schedule an appointment with our vets in Desoto.