Do you know what pyometra is in female dogs? If you have never heard of this disease, it is worth looking into it, as this complication is serious and can lead to death. Even if you have never heard about it, cases of dogs with pyometra are recurrent in animals that have not been neutered. To gather all the important information and clear all doubts about pyometra, dogs,prevention and symptoms, we talked to veterinarian William Klein. Take a look at what he told us!

1) What is pyometra in bitches?

Canine pyometra is a disease that occurs in uncastrated female dogs. "Basically, pyometra in bitches is a uterine infection that occurs during the heat period or after it. During this period the uterus is more exposed and susceptible to being contaminated by bacteria, which lodge in the endometrium (soft tissue that lines the inner walls of the uterus), "says William. As the bitch passesfor several oestruses without getting pregnant, the chances of being affected by the complication increase.

Pyometra in bitches can manifest itself in two ways, being open or closed. In the open the animal will present vaginal discharge. In the closed one, the cervix is obstructed due to the appearance of nodules. From this, the secretions end up accumulating, without being eliminated, which makes the case more serious.

2) What are the symptoms of pyometra in dogs?

Pyometra is a disease that begins silently and over time the symptoms can be diverse and nonspecific. As the complication progresses without treatment, the signs worsen, and the dog may lose consciousness. If your dog is not neutered, the ideal is to take her to the vet as soon as you notice that something is not going well. According to specialist William Klein, the main symptoms of the disease arepyometra are:

• lack of appetite;
• fever;
• weakness;
• pain;
• increased abdominal volume;
• presence of vaginal discharge (in the case of open pyometra).

3) How is pyometra diagnosed in bitches?

Observing the symptoms to take the animal to the professional is essential to obtain the diagnosis, from the consultation will be made the clinical examination and then probably will be asked for laboratory evaluations for the confirmation of pyometra. "In general the diagnosis of pyometra is based on anamnesis, physical examination and complementary tests such as laboratory tests, radiographic and radiographic.If the diagnosis of pyometra is confirmed, the animal should urgently begin appropriate treatment, which should be indicated by the professional.

4) How is the treatment of the dog with pyometra? Does the dog need to undergo surgery?

Whether with pyometra or any disease, guardians always seek to know if there is any home remedy for treatment. It is worth remembering that this complication is serious and cannot be treated without the help of a professional. Even the treatment requires surgical intervention, as William explains: "The treatment of choice is surgical with the removal of the infected uterus. In addition, the patientshould receive medicine for pyometra in bitches based on antibiotics, analgesic and intravenous saline to avoid complications and prevent secondary infections."

5) How to prevent pyometra in bitches?

Dog castration is widely indicated by the veterinary community, mainly for the prevention of diseases and pyometra is included in this. "The only way to prevent pyometra is the early castration of females when there is no reproductive interest, because then the patients will no longer suffer influence from their reproductive cycle", adds the professional. When having the uterus removed, thefemale dogs are unable to develop the disease, as well as other complications related to sex hormones. Whether neutered or not, it is very important that the animal is taken to the veterinarian regularly for health checkups.

Pyometra in bitches: symptoms should alert the guardian when they are noticed

If you are suspicious that your dog has pyometra, it is essential that she be taken to the vet, not only to confirm or rule out the diagnosis, but also to find out to what extent the infection has affected the pet's body. In addition, in positive cases the minimum hospitalization period is 48 hours. But it is not only with hospitalization that the guardian should worry, the moment of hospitalization is also important.Postoperative care is crucial for the recovery of the dog. At this stage, the pet will need to wear a collar or surgical garment, in addition to the use of painkillers. Returns to the veterinarian to check recovery are essential.