Overview of Pyometra Surgery For The Female Dogs – A Must Read!

Pyometra, also known as "pyo,” is a term that means infection in the womb of the dog's uterus. Moreover, it is a common disease found among dogs that are never spayed. Thus, those infected dogs have to go through urgent Pyometra Surgery.

But wait! Do you know about the hormonal changes among female dogs? 

Female dogs have to face hormonal changes related to their pregnancy every season. However, hormonal changes are necessary whether the dog gets pregnant or not. Above all, the changes in the dog's uterus occur twice or thrice in a year, and they are highly prone to infections as their age increases.

A common organism found in female dogs is E. coli, found among the feces, which is the major cause of the pyometra. Pyometra surgery dog is the only option for removing the infection present in the uterus. 

Let's dig deeper to learn about the causes of the pyometra!

How Does Pyometra Occur?

This infection occurs due to hormonal changes like an increase in progesterone. As a result, it thickens the uterus lining while preparing for pregnancy. For instance, if the dog does not get pregnant, the uterine lining thickens even more until the cysts form in the tissues of the uterus. These uterus tissues are medically known as cystic endometrial hyperplasia. 

The cystic lining will be secreting the fluids to enhance bacterial growth. Additionally, the uterus muscles cannot contract due to thickened uterine wall and increased amount of progesterone hormone. Also, the accumulated uterus does not have any way to expel out.

Likewise, the white blood cells cannot protect the uterus from infection or eliminate the bacteria. The normal occurrence will be allowing the sperm to enter the reproductive tract without being destroyed by the white blood cells. Nevertheless, it can be highly life-threatening and lead to dog uterus infection surgery.

How Do Bacteria Enter The Uterus?

The cervix's gateway to the uterus remains tightly closed but not during the estrus, allowing the sperm to enter the uterus.

"The bacteria can easily enter the uterus if the cervix is relaxed. "

Besides this, if the uterus is in normal condition, it is easier to prevent the survival of the bacteria. But the thickened uterine wall is due to cystic endometrial hyperplasia, which is the primary cause of bacterial growth.

What Are the Other Possible Conditions to Cause Changes in The Uterus?

Progesterone-based drugs can cause changes in the uterus. Additionally, estrogen drugs will enhance the progesterone effects on the uterus. Moreover, the drugs, including progesterone and estrogen, are best for treating some reproductive system conditions. If there is an intact female, their hormones will be monitored to check the development of pyometra.

When Are Dogs Highly Prone to Pyometra?

Pyometra can occur in dogs that are middle-aged and older. The duration of pyometra to last in the estrus is 2 to 8 weeks. So, after a few years of the estrus cycle, the uterine wall will promote this disease.

Medical Signs of Pyometra

The clinical signs of this disease highly depend on whether the cervix is opened or not. Hence, the puss drains from the uterus if the cervix is opened. However, the abdominal discharge can be seen on the skin of the tail. Also, the discharge will be visible where the dog is bedding or recently laid. But lethargy is not a common sign of this disease among dogs.

Once the cervix is closed, the pus will not be draining outside the cervix. Additionally, the bacteria would still be released and absorbed into the bloodstream. The dogs going through the closed pyometra will be becoming ill. Plus, the dogs will have diarrhea. The toxins will be released into the kidney, affecting the ability to retain the fluid.

What's more? There would be increased urine production, and the dog will drink excessive amounts of water for compensation. The increased water consumption will result in the closed and open cervix of pyometra.

Diagnosis of Pyometra in Dogs 

The dogs are examined earlier in the pyometra, but slight vaginal discharge is obvious. The female dog will be seen drinking a high amount of water. In addition to this, the common signs include an enlarged abdomen and frequent vaginal discharge. 

Further, the dogs with pyometra will have elevation in the white blood cells. The urine concentration becomes low because the kidneys are affected. The closed cervix and enlarged uterus are identifiable with the X-rays. 

Other than that, the ultrasound will assist in identifying the enlarged uterus. Likewise, the ultrasound will show the differences from a normal pregnancy. The ultrasound will let the veterinarian know the uterine size, thickened uterine wall, and fluid accumulation in the uterus. A good vet will recommend Pyometraa as soon as possible.

Treatment of Pyometra

"The Pyometra surgery treatment is the best choice to remove the infected uterus and ovaries."

The dogs will be spayed, which is technically known as an ovariohysterectomy. Diagnosing pyometra in dogs in the early stage is beneficial because the surgical procedure becomes less complicated. 

Nonetheless, dogs with pyometra are diagnosed when they are severely ill. Thus, they must undergo a complicated surgical procedure and stay in the hospital longer. The intravenous fluids stabilize the dog before starting the Pyometra surgery. 

Are There Any Negative Impacts of Not Treating Pyometra?

There are some negative impacts on the patient if the pyometra spay surgery is not performed quickly. The fatal effects can cause death. The closed cervix will rupture the uterus, and the infection can be spilled into the abdominal cavity, which is highly fatal. Therefore, pyometra requires prompt treatment as it is a serious health issue.

Outcomes & After-Care

When the pet gets discharged from the hospital, minimal aftercare is required. Generally, the care is similar to spaying, but the pet has to take some antibiotics that the veterinarian prescribes for 10 to 14 days.

Pyometra Surgery Recovery

So, your furry friend has had surgery. Now, it's all about pyometra surgery recovery, right? Spot on! But expect your dog to be up and about slowly. Pyometra surgery dog isn't a walk in the park. Dogs need some severe TLC post-operation.

Your dog might feel under the weather for a couple of days. They'll be groggy and grumpy, but who wouldn't be after surgery? Over time, with proper care and medications, they'll return to their usual playful selves.

Regular vet check-up visits and ensuring your dog takes it easy for a while are essential to pyometra surgery recovery. And remember, keeping a close eye on their behavior can help you spot any hiccups in the healing process. Now that's some food for thought!

Pyometra Surgery Survival Rate

The survival rate for pyometra surgery in dogs is very high. In most cases, dogs will make a full pyometra surgery recovery after surgery. However, the survival rate can vary depending on the severity of the infection and the dog's overall health.

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the pyometra surgery survival rate in dogs is 90%. The study included 100 dogs undergoing pyometra surgery, and only 10 died.

The study also found that the survival rate was higher for younger dogs with a shorter duration of illness. Older dogs with a longer duration of illness were more likely to die after surgery.

Cat Pyometra Surgery vs. Dog Pyometra Surgery

The cost of pyometra surgery varies, but you're looking at anywhere from $500 to $2,000 for dogs. This wide range is due to factors like the dog's size, the complexity of the surgery, and the aftercare needed.

But what about cats, you ask? Well, the story's a bit different here. Cats are generally smaller, and the surgery tends to be less complex. So, you might find the bill between $300 and $1,500. But remember, these are ballpark figures, and actual cat Pyometra surgery can vary based on your location, the vet clinic, and other factors.

There you have it - a quick rundown of pyometra surgery for dogs. It can be a bit of a rollercoaster, but with the proper care and attention, your furry friend will return to chasing their tail in no time!

What else? 

The animal should not be allowed to do physical activities such as running or normal play for at least two weeks after the Pyometra surgery. In fact, it is crucial to protect the incision from any self-trauma. 

Best of all, the survival of the ovariohysterectomy is successful up to 80-100 %. Unfortunately, there are chances of organ failure. In rare cases, the pets start urinating often, and the water intake will be increased, which enhances the risk of permanent kidney damage.

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