What You Need to Know About Pyometra in Bitches

What exactly is pyometra?

Pyometra is an infectious illness that involves the accumulation of pus inside the canine uterus. It affects those animals that have already had their first heat. Females who have undergone hormone treatments may be more prone to suffering from pyometra.

What produces pyometra in bitches?

To understand why this infection occurs, we need to take a close look at a dog’s menstrual cycle. A bitch’s first cycle usually appears between the 6th and 12th month of life and usually lasts approximately 6 months.

The canine menstrual cycle consists of the following stages:

• Anestrus: 3 or 4 months of sexual and hormonal inactivity.
• Proestrus: Lasts between 4 and 7 days in which a bloody discharge appears, attracting males hormonally.
• Estrus: Secretion ceases, but this is the period of heat when bitches are most fertile. Estrus lasts between 7 and 10 days and is the ovulation stage.
• Postestrus: Lasts between 7 and 10 days. During this time period, bitches refuse to mate.
• Diestrus: This is a period of 2 months in which the dog’s body synthesizes estrogen. It’s the moment when this hormone is predominant and the state in which pyometra in bitches can appear.

How does pyometra occur?

This pathology occurs as the result of a metabolic alteration of progesterone that causes a bacterial infection. The bacteria act at times when hormone levels in the blood are higher, meaning that defenses in the uterus are lower. This is why the infection occurs during the diestrus phase.

This hormonal activity can causes cysts in the endometrium. All of this, together with the entering of bacteria, creates the perfect storm for illness and infection.

On occasion, a dog’s body responds inadequately to progesterone, producing an increase in the thickness of the uterine walls. In the absence of a pregnancy, this can lead to cystic formations that facilitate the growth of bacteria.

The use of contraceptives contributes to the appearance of pyometra. This is especially because of the presence of progestagens and estrogens.

How to detect the symptoms of pyometra in bitches

Symptoms are not specific, but can include the following:

• Lack of appetite along with lethargy. In other words, the animal is barely able to respond to stimuli and declines.
• A factor to keep in mind is increased urination and an unusual intake of liquids.
• The infection may also include fever and vomiting.
• In its advanced stages, the illness can produce shock, sepsis (bacteria in the blood) and peritonitis.
• In the most serious cases, pyometra in bitches can produce acute kidney failure.

It’s important to know that this is an extremely urgent illness. Therefore, it’s vital that you seek immediate veterinary attention in the presence of any of the above symptoms.

The diagnosis of pyometra in bitches

In general, diagnosis involves a medical examination as well as taking a look at an animal’s medical history. 

If this isn’t sufficient, then X-rays will be necessary. A veterinarian may also decide to perform blood tests in order to determine the seriousness of the disease and prognosis.

Recommended treatment

The best ways to prevent pyometra in bitches

To avoid the risk of pyometra, experts recommend sterilizing females dogs who will not be reproducing. What’s more, they warn against the use of contraceptives.

One option that’s useful is controlling your dog’s menstrual cycle. This way, you can be sure that bleeding occurs at the correct time.

What’s more, your dog can have periodic ultrasounds to make sure that everything is as it should be. The idea here is to keep the infection from appearing.

Most of all, it’s important for dog owners to watch out for the appearance of the above symptoms. And, if symptoms appear, owners should seek urgent medical care in order to minimize the risk of serious infection.

Source of main image: Rodrigo Tejeda