Symptoms of pyometra?

Pyometra is a common gynecological disease in female dogs. Pyometra generally refers to the accumulation of a large amount of purulent fluid in the dog's uterine cavity, accompanied by abnormal proliferation of the endometrium and bacterial infection. Since pyometra takes a long time to develop, it is difficult to be discovered in the early stages of the disease. There are many reasons for dogs to suffer from pyometra. What are the symptoms of pyometra?

Depending on whether the cervix is ​​open or not, it can be divided into closed type and open type.

1. Common symptoms.

It usually occurs 38 weeks after estrus. Initially, the patient suffers from fever, depression, decreased appetite, decreased activity, drowsiness, and sometimes vomiting. As the disease progresses, the appetite gradually disappears, the desire to drink gradually increases, the affected dog becomes emaciated, the abdominal circumference increases, and the physical condition becomes exhausted.

2. Closed pyometra.

Accounting for 59.6% of the statistical cases, 28/47, the cervix is ​​completely closed, there is no purulent secretion from the vulva, the abdominal circumference is large, the breathing and heartbeat are accelerated, and in severe cases, breathing is difficult, the abdominal skin is tense, the subcutaneous veins in the abdomen are distended, and the patient likes to lie down.

3. Open pyometra.

This type of cases accounts for 40.4%19/47. The cervical canal is not completely closed, and a small amount of purulent secretions flow out from the vulva from time to time. It is cheese-colored, gray or reddish-brown, has an unpleasant odor, and often contaminates the vulva, tail base and hocks. The affected dogs have red and swollen vulva, flushed vaginal mucosa, and slightly increased abdominal circumference.

Pyometra in dogs is a symptom of endometritis, an inflammation of the uterine mucosa in female dogs. Generally, endometritis is divided into acute endometritis and chronic endometritis.

Acute endometritis is more common within a few days after delivery. It is characterized by fever, depression, thirst, thirst for food, loss of appetite, and sometimes vomiting, arched back and straining of the back. In some cases, a small amount of turbid, flocculent secretions can be discharged from the vagina. Chronic endometritis can be caused by acute inflammation or chronic inflammatory stimulation, and there will be little change in mental state and appetite. However, most of them are thin and have white serous secretions flowing out of the vagina. Generally they do not go into estrus, but some dogs may go into estrus but cannot conceive. Palpation of the uterus revealed that the uterine horns were hard and enlarged. When a large amount of fluid accumulates, there may be a sense of fluctuation. The abdominal circumference can be seen to increase. Pyometra is a symptom of chronic endometritis.

Dog uterine pyometra generally does not heal on its own. When this happens, the following measures are generally chosen:

1. First, inject 0.1 mg/kg body weight of diethylstilbestrol intramuscularly to open the cervix and facilitate the discharge of secretions. Injecting uterine contraction drugs again on the second day can fully discharge the inflammatory secretions in the uterus.

2. Systemic antibiotics: Penicillin 50,000 units/kg body weight, streptomycin 40,000 units/kg body weight, mixed for intramuscular injection, twice a day.

3. Systemic maintenance therapy: intravenous drip of glucose saline, 5% sodium bicarbonate, vitamin C, etc.

4. For cases that fail to respond to treatment, ovariohysterectomy should be considered.

In addition, many dogs undergo sterilization surgery during their adolescence to prevent symptoms of metritis and pyometra in female dogs.