What are my treatment options for pyometra?
Drs. Brian Lucas Hamm and Jeff Dennis discuss your treatment options for this uterine infection. Both surgical and medical management options are available to treat patients with pyometra, and both carry associated risks.
Which tests are performed in the workup of pyometra?
Bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing of the uterine contents and urine are recommended in all patients with pyometra to confirm the effectiveness of empiric antibiotic therapy. Samples for bacterial culture are most commonly taken from the surgically excised uterus.
What happens when the cervix is closed with pyometra?
Closed pyometra is when the cervix is closed. When the cervix is closed, there is no way for the infection and fluid to discharge – so the uterus continues to fill, leading to toxicity from the bacteria and if enough fluid builds up, the uterus can actually rupture. This can cause septic infection and even death.
Can pyometra in dogs be prevented?
Unlike surgery, which can prevent recurrence of pyometra completely, dogs treated with medications have a 50-75% of getting pyometra again. After your dog goes through heat, watch it carefully for any new signs of pyometra. Some vets may recommend that your dog become pregnant during its next heat to prevent the return of pyometra.
Can closed pyometra be treated?
During the last 10 years, numerous medical treatments have been proposed to treat both open and closed cervix pyometra. The most effective medical treatment with minor side effects seems to be the repeated administration of aglepristone with or without the additional treatment with low doses of prostaglandins.
Can pyometra be treated without surgery?
Rarely, non-surgical options will be discussed as management of pyometra. This option is reserved for dogs with open pyometra (the dogs in which the pus is leaking out) who have a very high breeding value. Certain hormones can be given by injections that help the uterus to contract and expel the infection.
What is the recommended treatment for a pyometra a potentially life threatening condition?
Surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries is the best treatment for pyometra. In most cases, this is an emergency surgery that must be performed before the uterus ruptures or the infection spreads to other parts of the body.
How Long Can dogs live with closed pyometra?
The other form of pyometra is a closed pyo, in which the cervix is closed. In a closed pyo the pus that forms in the uterus has nowhere to go, and so the uterus rapidly fills with this toxic pus. These dogs go downhill rapidly, eventually go into septic shock, and often die within 4-5 days of the onset of signs.
What is a closed pyometra?
If the cervix is fully closed, there is no discharge from the vulva, and like in appendicitis, the uterus may rupture and pus escapes into the abdomen, causing peritonitis and possible rapid death. This is known as closed pyometra.
Can pyometra be treated with medication?
Prostaglandin F2-alpha is the most commonly used medication to medically manage pyometra in dogs. Prostaglandins induce regression of the corpora lutea (luteolysis) through numerous mechanisms, including constriction of blood vessels responsible for oxygen delivery.
How do you treat pyoderma in dogs?
The typical treatment for pyoderma is antibiotic therapy for a minimum of three to four weeks. In chronic or recurrent cases, it is important to perform a skin culture and antibiotic sensitivity test to ensure that the proper antibiotic is used. Antibiotics in these cases may be needed for 8 to 12 weeks.
What antibiotic treats pyometra in dogs?
Antibiotic treatment should be specific (start with ampicillin at 22 mg/kg 3 times/daily and change antibiotics after culture results) and should last at least for one week but it should continue for as long as a purulent vulvar discharge is present (which may persist for a few days after the uterine diameter has ...
Does antibiotics help with pyometra?
Pyometra is an infection of the uterus. It is a very serious condition that affects female dogs and, if left untreated, it can be fatal. Treatment for pyometra includes emergency surgery to remove the uterus, antibiotic medications, and intravenous fluids.
Is open or closed pyometra worse?
An open pyometra means that the cervix remains open, and often smelly pus can be seen coming out of the dog. A closed pyometra means that the cervix remains closed. Because the pus cannot leak out, this type of pyometra is much more serious and these dogs can be much sicker.
How common is closed pyometra in dogs?
Background. One of the most frequent reproductive organ disorders in female dogs is pyometra, which affects on average nearly 20% of all intact bitches before 10 years of age [1]. The disease is associated with inflammation and infection of the uterus leading to generalized illness.
Should I euthanize my dog with pyometra?
If the uterus bursts open inside your pet, it will release a large number of bacteria inside your pet and will lead to her death. If for some reason treatment is not an option, you may need to choose humane euthanasia to prevent your pet from suffering.
How many treatment cycles for pyometra?
Typically, no more than two treatment cycles are required to medically resolve pyometra in most patients.4 In 163 bitches with open-cervix pyometra receiving medical management with prostaglandins, 153 completely recovered from the infection.
How often should a patient be examined for pyometra?
Regardless of the protocol selected, patients undergoing medical management for pyometra should be examined frequently on the days of treatment and again one and two weeks after treatment. The patient's vital signs, mental status, and hydration should be evaluated. The character of the vaginal discharge as well as the ultrasonographic status of the distended uterus should be assessed every few days along with progesterone concentrations. A successful treatment would be characterized by the resolution of vaginal discharge, normalization of physical examination findings and laboratory abnormalities, and the complete evacuation and reduction in the diameter of the uterine horns.
What is the best medication for pyometra in dogs?
Prostaglandin F2-alpha is the most commonly used medication to medically manage pyometra in dogs. Prostaglandins induce regression of the corpora lutea (luteolysis) through numerous mechanisms, including constriction of blood vessels responsible for oxygen delivery.6,7 As the corpora lutea regress, progesterone production drops. The reduction in progesterone concentrations promotes relaxation (opening) of the cervix, allowing the uterine contents to escape. Prostaglandins also directly stimulate myometrium contraction, thereby promoting expulsion of the infected uterine contents.3 Although not documented, uterine rupture could occur theoretically if intense myometrial contractions were to precede cervical relaxation.
What is the risk of a dog with a closed cervix pyometra?
Bitches with closed-cervix pyometra are at higher risk for uterine rupture and systemic illness. INITIAL TREATMENT. Dogs presenting with clinical signs of illness or shock should be appropriately stabilized before direct treatment of the uterine disease is attempted.
What happens after pyometra surgery?
After surgery, patients with pyometra may develop wound infections, fistulous tracts, or local swelling of the surgical incision site or may hemorrhage. 5 Referral to an institution with personnel capable of providing advanced anesthetic monitoring and postoperative care may be warranted, especially in systemically ill patients that require intensive monitoring.
What antibiotics are used for pyometra?
All patients being treated for pyometra should immediately begin empiric bactericidal antibiotic therapy. Amoxicillin-clavulanate, or a combination of a penicillin and a fluoroquinolone, is a good antibiotic choice based on historical bacterial causes of uterine infection.
How long does it take for pyometra to normalize?
Abnormal laboratory findings have been reported to normalize within 14 days of successful medical and surgical management of pyometra.11,14,20 Any significant deterioration in the patient's clinical condition would warrant diagnostic reevaluation of the patient, initiation of the appropriate supportive care, and, in most cases, the recommendation that medical management be abandoned in favor of an ovariohysterectomy.
How to treat pyometra in dogs?
To treat pyometra in dogs, it's important that you take your dog to the vet as soon as you notice symptoms so they can rehydrate it and prescribe antibiotics. They'll also likely need to perform surgery and spay your dog.
How do you know if your dog has pyometra?
Symptoms normally appear after the dog has finished heat. Even if you only notice 1 symptom of pyometra after heat , take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Common symptoms include: White, yellow, green, or clear discharge from the vagina.
How to tell if a dog has a cervix pyometra?
The vet may do a number of tests, such as a physical examination, X-rays, ultrasound scans, and blood tests. If the dog has pyometra, the vet will tell you if it is open or closed pyometra. Open cervix pyometra occurs means that the cervix of the dog is open.
What happens when a dog has a closed cervix pyometra?
In closed cervix pyometra, the cervix becomes sealed off, and pus builds up in the dog’s uterus. It is essential to perform surgery soon to prevent the uterus from rupturing. Closed pyometra is more of an immediate medical emergency than open pyometra. That said, your vet will likely want to act quickly regardless.
Can a dog recover from pyometra?
Not all veterinarians are prepared to offer this form of treatment. The dog may not necessarily recover using just medications. Pyometra is likely to return without surgery.
Can you continue breeding a dog with open pyometra?
Ask your vet if medications are an option. If your dog has open pyometra and you want to continue breeding her, medications may be an option. Understand, however, that these carry their own risk. The chances of recovery are more uncertain.
Can a dog get pyometra?
The sooner you can treat your dog’s pyometra, the better its outcome will be. Take your dog to the vet so that it can receive an IV and antibiotics. In most cases, your dog will require surgery. If you want to still breed your dog, you may be able to avoid surgery, although you should understand that this option carries its own risks.
What is pyometra?
Pyometra is a health emergency that affects unspayed female dogs. It comes from the Latin “pyometra,” which means pus-uterus. The translation is pretty descriptive and rather accurate. Pyometra can be defined as “a life-threatening uterine infection that most typically affects older, intact (or unspayed) female dogs.”
What tests are done for pyometra?
The vet will order blood analysis and check for elevated white blood cells and globulins in the blood. The vet might also recommend X-rays and ultrasound. X-rays can be inconclusive in cases of pyometra with a closed cervix.
How do female dogs get pyometra?
After the female heat cycle, the hormone progesterone remains at high levels. The dog’s body “expects” pregnancy, and the uterus lining thickens. If the pregnancy doesn’t happen for a few consecutive cycles, the uterine wall will become very thick. At that time, cysts will form within the thickened uterine tissue. The cysts will then start secreting fluids inside the thickened tissue, which will create an ideal environment for bacteria and their reproduction.
What dogs are at risk from pyometra?
Theoretically, all sexually mature, unspayed female dogs can be affected by pyometra. However, vets have reported that older dogs are responsible for most pyometra cases. Years of heat cycles without pregnancy can create the perfect conditions for pyometra, and it can develop anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks from the last heat cycle.
What are the pyometra symptoms?
The pyometra type will depend on the cervix. The cervix can remain open, or it can close, and different symptoms can be observed .
How is pyometra in dogs diagnosed?
The vet will ask for some common signs dogs might have pyometra. If the dog seems sick and is drinking a lot of water, and they had a heat cycle 2 - 8 weeks before , most vets will suspect pyometra. The chances of pyometra are bigger if the dog is older than 6 years.
How to treat pyometra in dogs?
The most effective way of treating pyometra in dogs is by surgery. The infected uterus and ovaries are removed. The process is called ovariohysterectomy, which is the same process as spaying a female dog. However, the infection makes the surgery a bit more challenging. Hence, it is crucial to spot the disease as soon as possible. The sooner pyometra is spotted, the better the chances of a full recovery.
How long does it take for a pyometra to develop?
The most common time for a pyometra to develop is four to eight weeks after a heat/season.
What happens if a dog has a pyometra?
If your dog has a pyometra, they need immediate treatment, leaving a pyometra without treatment is likely to cause severe illness, suffering and death.
What is a pyometra in dogs?
A pyometra is a womb infection – a very serious condition, common in unneutered, female dogs.
Can you treat pyometra with antibiotics?
Treating a pyometra with medicines alone (antibiotics, hormones and anti-inflammatories) is not recommended. Removing the infected womb is the most effective treatment. Using medicines alone is very risky and can lead to severe illness, prolonged suffering, and death.
Can dogs get pyometra?
Hormonal changes during a season/heat put your dog at risk of a womb infection. Once the heat is over, the majority return to normal, but unfortunately, some dogs develop complications, which lead to an infection (pyometra). As a pyometra develops, the womb fills with pus. A pyometra can lead to blood poisoning, kidney failure, peritonitis and even death.
Can a dog recover from pyometra?
The sooner your dog is treated, the better their chance of recovery. Unfortunately, chances of recovery are lower if your dog is old, poorly or if the pyometra has been present for a while.