For those who are eager to use their female dog for breeding, either as a business, or simply to keep for themselves, pyometra can spell the end of any such hopes. This is a serious infection of the dog’s uterus and is mainly found in dogs that have never become pregnant, especially if they are not impregnated over several heat cycles. The roots of the word pyometra come from pyo, pus, and metra, uterus.

In the female dog, the uterus is actually a ‘U’ shaped organ with the horns of the uterus extending up each side of the abdominal cavity. These horns are where the puppies will grow if she becomes pregnant. The female dog’s body looks upon the sperm of the male as a pathogen and the sperm would be destroyed in the uterus except for the fact that killer white cells are excluded from the uterus during the heat cycle.

Besides the lack of white blood cells to kill bacteria, the walls of the female’s uterus become thicker (as a result of the release of hormones) during heat and remain so for several months afterwards – this is to prepare a suitable place for the puppies to develop. This thickness remains even if pregnancy does not occur. Over the next several heat cycles without a pregnancy, thickening continues. As the walls of the uterus become thicker, cysts form. Subsequent openings of the cervix result in the influx of bacteria, which find the perfect place to grow in the fluids produced by the cysts. In some cases, a buildup of bacteria that the body cannot handle will result in pyometra.

Young female dogs are less likely to develop pyometra than older ones mostly because they simply have not experienced many heat cycles, but this disease can develop in a dog of any age. Owners of intact female dogs should always be on the alert for any of the following symptoms. A discharge is often pus leaking out from the uterus. If you find an odd discharge on the dog’s bedding or on furniture or rugs, your dog should be examined at the earliest possible time. Your dog may be running a fever from her bacterial infection. Dogs that are not feeling well generally lose their appetite. As dogs are known for being hearty eaters, any falling off in appetite is a sign that there is a problem. The dog will probably become lethargic as the infection saps her strength and energy. A very ill dog will exhibit vomiting and diarrhea.

Keep in mind that discharge will only occur in some cases of pyometra. However, a more serious problem can occur when the cervix is closed and the infected matter remains in the uterus. As more and more pus is produced, the abdomen will swell outwards. The uterus can expand so greatly in size that it can burst, which will distribute pus and bacteria throughout the abdominal cavity (peritonitis).

To make matters worse, dangerous bacteria will also produce toxins. These toxins can enter your companion’s bloodstream, spreading the infection throughout the body to affect the kidneys. Dogs with pyometra will often drink heavily and urinate much more than normal and this can happen regardless of whether the cervix is open or closed.

It is undoubtedly an enormous disappointment when you had been hoping to breed your female dog to find out that she has pyometra. The non-surgical treatment of pyometra, which revolves around using hormones to open the cervix and allow the uterus to drain, has a relatively poor success rate, and unless a vast improvement is seen within a day or two, there is only the surgical option.

Surgery to cure pyometra involves removing the uterus entirely. Depending on how advanced the infection is, your dog may have to remain in the hospital for several days afterwards to receive intravenous fluids and antibiotics. In most cases, several weeks of oral antibiotics will have to be administered once your dog returns home.

Keep in mind that a female dog with pyometra can be a very sick animal and that the longer you wait to initiate treatment, the greater the likelihood that the dog will die. Your dog will be every bit as loving and affectionate after her infected uterus is removed, and will also be much happier to be free of illness.