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Pyometra
Pyometra is a life-threatening infection of the uterus (pus-filled uterus) in unspayed female dogs and cats. Without treatment, death is inevitable. Prevention through spaying is one of the main reasons for routinely spaying female pets.
Key Facts
- "Pyo" = pus, "metra" = uterus; toxins and bacteria leak into bloodstream
- Classically: older female, 1-2 months after heat cycle, poor appetite, excessive thirst, vomiting
- Two forms: open (cervix open, pus drains externally) and closed (more dangerous, no drainage)
- Diagnosis: lab work, radiographs showing enlarged uterus, or ultrasound
- Standard treatment: emergency surgical spay (removal of uterus and ovaries)
- Pyometra surgery costs 5-10x more than routine spay due to complexity and patient instability
- Alternative: prostaglandin injections (preserves breeding capacity but 77% recurrence rate)
- Cats: often appear well until late stages despite severe infection; delayed diagnosis is common
- Stump pyometra: can occur in spayed pets if ovarian remnant produces hormones
- Risk increases with each heat cycle due to cumulative hormonal changes
- Species: dogs and cats