Pyometra in Pets: Frequently Asked Questions
Pet surgical sterilization procedures, spaying or neutering, are recommended for all dogs and cats who will not participate in responsible, professional breeding programs. These reproductive procedures have many benefits, including lower cancer risks, fewer hormone-related behavioral issues, and a reduced risk for the dangerous uterine infection pyometra.
Pyometra typically strikes older intact females and can lead to life-threatening complications if your pet does not receive immediate veterinary intervention. To help you make an informed decision about your pet’s spay procedure, our Santa Monica Pet Medical Center team explains intact female pets’ health risks. We answer the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about pyometra in female dogs and cats.
Question: What is pyometra in pets?
Answer: Pyometra is an infection that causes the uterus to fill with purulent (i.e., pus and bacterial) material. If the infection is present for too long, toxins and bacteria can leak into an affected pet’s bloodstream or abdomen, and cause a life-threatening systemic infection and shock. The time it takes for pyometra to cause systemic illness depends on whether the pet’s cervix (i.e. the tissue between the vaginal canal and uterus) is open or closed. An open cervix allows infected material to drain out of the body and slows an infection's progress, but a closed cervix traps the infected material and increases the chances of a uterine rupture.
Q: What causes pyometra in pets?
A: Pyometra occurs when bacteria that normally inhabit the vaginal canal make their way into the uterus. Under typical conditions, the body and immune system can fight these bacteria. An intact pet experiences heat cycles, during which their uterine lining thickens to prepare for embryo implantation. The thickened uterus nourishes the bacteria, allowing an infection to develop.
Q: Is my pet at risk for pyometra?
A: Any intact female pet is at risk for pyometra, but the risk increases with the increasing number of heat cycles a pet has. Therefore, the older your intact female pet, the greater her pyometra risk, because their uterine lining can thicken excessively or develop cysts, providing an ideal environment for pyometra. Pyometra commonly develops one to two months after a typical heat cycle.
Q: How do I know if my pet has pyometra?
A: Early pyometra signs may be difficult to recognize. If the cervix is open, the purulent material may drain out and appear as vaginal discharge, which you may notice on your pet’s tail or bedding. If the cervix is closed, vaginal discharge is not present, which complicates making a definitive diagnosis. Other pyometra signs are vague, but include the following:
-Lethargy
-Poor appetite
-Vomiting
-Fever
-Increased drinking or urination
Q: What should I do if my pet shows pyometra signs?
A: If your intact female pet develops a generalized illness or vaginal discharge, you should suspect pyometra. Because the condition can become serious quickly, dogs and cats with pyometra require prompt emergency veterinary care. Call our office or take your dog or cat to the nearest 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week emergency facility as soon as your pet exhibits signs. A veterinary team can diagnose pyometra by performing a combination of tests and will likely hospitalize your pet right away.
Q: How do veterinarians treat pyometra in pets?
A: The ideal pyometra treatment is emergency surgery to remove the infected uterus. Because a tiny stump of the uterus is left behind after this surgery, the surgeon must also remove the hormone source, the ovaries, because they cause heat cycles. If any ovary tissue is left behind, the remaining stump could develop a future infection. Before and after surgery, a pet with pyometra receives supportive care, including fluids and intravenous (IV) antibiotics, to stabilize their overall condition.
Q: How can I prevent my pet from developing pyometra?
A: The ideal pyometra prevention is spay surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries before a problem can occur. Compared with risky pyometra surgery, during which the fragile uterus could rupture and spread infection through the body, spay surgery is considered routine and low risk. Our team recommends spaying a female pet before her first heat cycle, typically around 6 months of age, but this reproductive surgery can also benefit older pets, such as retired breeding animals.
With the exception of breeding animals, all female pets benefit from prophylactic spay surgery, which helps prevent pyometra and several other serious health issues. Our Santa Monica Pet Medical Center team provides expert surgical care to female pets of all ages. Schedule your female pet’s spay surgery and learn about additional wellness recommendations.