Why We Ask You To Neuter or Spay

Having your female spayed is very important for her health. The spay will reduce the risk of pyometra (life-threatening infection of the uterus) and they are also at risk for mammory gland cancer which sadly is fatal 50% of the time.

What is Pyometra?

Pyometra is an infection that is caused due to hormonal changes in the females reproductive tract. After heat "estrus" the progesterone levels remain high for several weeks, this causes the uterus lining to thicken preparing for pregnancy. If after several heat cycles with no pregnancy the lining continues to thicken until a cysts form on the uterus. With high progesterone levels the womb isn't able to use the muscles to contract and expel the fluids or bacteria. Another factor is that white blood cells which would normally protect against infections, are constrained from entering the uterus during heat.

When does it occur?

This can occur in any sexually intact female dog (young to middle age) though it is most common in older dogs. The longer the female is left intact the higher risk of pyometra.

How is it diagnosed?

It depends on the cervix whether its open or closed.

If open, discharge will drain from the uterus through to the outside. You may see this discharge on the skin, hair under the tail, bedding, and furniture. The symptoms of an open pyometra are fever, lethargy, anorexia and depression may be present.

If closed, the discharge that will form is not able to drain to the outside. This collects in the uterus, causing swelling of the abdomen. The bacteria will release toxins that get absorbed into the circulation. Dogs that suffer from this type pyometra will get severely ill rapidly. Symptoms that will be present are anorectic, listless, depression, and sometime vomiting or diarrhea.

Both are affected in the kidneys, with an increased urine production the dog beings to drink large amounts of water to help with loosing so much urine.

Treatment

The most preferred way is to remove the infected uterus and the ovaries, or do an ovariohysterectomy (spay). Females that diagnosed early are good surgical candidates. This surgery is more complicated than a routine spay. Most dogs are diagnosed when they are very ill, this results in a more complicated surgery and a longer hospitalization.

If I choose not to treat my dog?

The chance of a good outcome without surgery is extremely low. If the treatment is not preformed quickly, the toxins from the bacteria will be fatal in most of the cases. If it happens that the cervix is closed, the uterus may rupture causing the infection to spill out into the abdominal cavity. This is extremely fatal. Pyometra is a very serious medical condition that needs treatment right away.