Pyometra?

We got a call from the shelter yesterday saying they were going to put down a pug because their nostrils were too small (seriously). So we got her to our vet, and she actually did need the surgery for stenotic nares, and he is not one to ever do that surgery unless absolutely necessary.

However, he also said she had pyometra, and that it had been left untreated and was life threatening at that point. She was spayed, and is recovering from the surgeries today.

The reason for my post is, I always thought this happened to mostly older dogs? Our vet thinks she is maybe around 2 years old.

Poor baby. I'm glad y'all got to her in time. I hope she has a full recovery. If I recall correctly, pyometra most commonly occurs in older dogs but can occur at any age.

I understood that it could happen at any age after the start of the heat cycle. Spaying young is recommended to prevent pyometra and mammary tumors. Peachy had to go in for her emergency spay because of pyometra, and she had a mammary tumor removed while she was under. It was a risky surgery because she was heartworm positive. Glad you caught it in time.

Rebecca and the Pugs wrote:I understood that it could happen at any age after the start of the heat cycle. Spaying young is recommended to prevent pyometra and mammary tumors. Peachy had to go in for her emergency spay because of pyometra, and she had a mammary tumor removed while she was under. It was a risky surgery because she was heartworm positive. Glad you caught it in time.

It was really lucky, the shelter never even mentioned she had any other issues, our vet got her in right away. She was an owner surrender so i am sure they knew she was sick and that's why they surrendered her.

Yep--pyo can happen anytime. It's more common in older dogs that have been unspayed, but it is not a discriminating disease.

Here's a blurb on it"

Pyometra is a very serious uterine infection
that can be avoided simply by having your dog spayed. When the female
dog is spayed, the uterus - as well as the ovaries - are removed,
eliminating the risk of pyometra.

Literally, pyometra means pus in the uterus. Generally occurring
about six weeks after the female dog's last heat cycle, pyometra can
initially present no symptoms, allowing time for the dog to become
extremely ill, unbeknownst to most of their owners.

By the time you've noticed the first clues that the dog is sick -
like extreme thirst, failure to eat or drink, loss of energy, or a foul
smell - the dog's life could already be threatened. If the dog is
discharging, she'll stand a better chance, though, than if the
infection simply can't escape.

Any vet will recommend emergency surgery for a dog that has
pyometra. Without the surgery, the pus will continue to accumulate in
the uterus, causing a risk of rupture. After rupture there may be
little the vet can do to save your pet. As a matter of fact, you might
not even know the uterus has ruptured until it's way too late.

Although some pet owners decline the surgery, opting for antibiotics
instead, it's not likely that the dog will recover, and if she does,
the chances of getting pyometra again are incredible.

Although the odds of getting pyometra increase after the dog is
eight years old, or for dogs that have irregular heat cycles, the
disease can actually effect any dog that has not been spayed.

Spaying is the recommended method of avoiding pyrometra altogether,
but many pet owners fail to have their pets spayed. Some owners state
the cost of the surgery, where as others wish to let the dog have a
litter or two before opting for spaying.

northernwitch wrote:



Spaying is the recommended method of avoiding pyrometra altogether,
but many pet owners fail to have their pets spayed. Some owners state
the cost of the surgery, where as others wish to let the dog have a
litter or two before opting for spaying.

If they were fixed, how would they make any money from the puppies? I don't know if all of you are seeing this too but there has been a large increase in the amount of pug puppies (well puppies of any breed) being sold on Cl around here. I think people started seeing it as a way to make $$. We all know how well that turns out.

I can't say I've noticed an increase because I NEVER go to craigslist or kijiji--it makes me crazy to go on those sites. Literally, my homicidal urges come roaring to the front. But we have seen an increase in dogs surrendered due to money issues.

We always get dogs surrendered from someone who got it off of craigslist or kijiji because they were cheap and then when the dog needs any kind of care, the dog gets dumped.

I'm so glad you saved her. Poor little mite.

I've had people ask me if Penny has been spayed because they'd love to have one of her puppies. The local paper almost always has pug puppies for sale, too. Too many idiots. Bless you for saving the little girl.

Poor little mite, so glad you've saved her. Pyo is grim.

H the P wrote:Poor little mite, so glad you've saved her. Pyo is grim.

That is our vet said too, we feel sure that was the reason she was turned into the shelter. She is doing very well, she is very pretty!

What a beautiful girl!! It sounds like fate intervened and you guys got to her just in time. Thank you for helping her. She really is very pretty (good thing I'm so far away! ).

Oh, what a sweet face! She is lovely, and it is a very good thing that I'm in northern NV and Penny isn't interested in a sibling!!!!!!

aw, i hope she recovers soon!

ps- suuuuper cute pic! what a pretty girl!