Please Spay and Neuter you pets for their health!

Posted By: Tracey Carr

From: Compassionate Pug Rescue

Pyometra is deadly if left untreated! We want to make everyone aware of a disease that can be easy to cure and even easier to prevent! We received a late night e-mail from a man saying his pug was dying and he did not think it would live through the night. He said she would vomit when she tried to eat and had vaginal bleeding. She was 8 years old and had not been spayed. He said she had lost 30% of her body weight from not eating. This had been going on for days. He never took her to the vet. By the time he emailed us, it was 10pm on Friday night. The pug had kept them awake the night before crying in pain. They finally decided they had to do something. The problem was- it was too late, they had waited too long! One of our volunteers met him at the emergency pet hospital at midnight. The pug was weak, her hind end covered in blood and she was crying in pain. The uterus had ruptured and this poor pug was literally oozing pus from a major infection known as Pyometra. (see disease info below) We are heartbroken and at the same time angry that this happened. If he had contacted us even a day earlier, she may have had a chance. This is such a senseless tragedy- so easily avoidable. They watched this poor pug suffer and did not seek help until it was too late! We are a rescue. We are here to help the pugs in need. We help them, regardless of their condition but it is cruel to bring us a pug that is within hours of death when you didn't seek help sooner. Now we all mourn the loss of this pug. You know your pets, you know if their behavior has changed. They rely on you to keep them safe and healthy! Don't let them down. Pyometra is a disease of the uterus in female dogs . Pyometra is an important disease to be aware of for any dog owner because of the sudden nature of the disease and the deadly consequences if left untreated. It has been compared to acute appendicitis in humans, because both are essentially empyemas within an abdominal organ. Pyometra is a result of hormonal and structural changes in the uterus lining. This can happen at any age, whether she has bred or not, and whether it is her 1st or 10th heat (although it becomes more common as the dog gets older). The most obvious symptom of open pyometra is a discharge of pus from the vulva. Symptoms include vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, and increased drinking and urinating. Closed pyometra is a more serious condition than open pyometra not only because there is no outlet for the infection but also because a diagnosis of closed pyometra can easily be missed due to its insidious nature. Bloodwork may show dehydration, increased white blood cell count, and increased alkaline phosphatase. X-rays will show an enlarged uterus, and ultrasound will confirm the presence of a fluid filled uterus. The most important aspect of treatment of pyometra is quick action. Female dogs are often septic and in shock. Intravenous fluids and antibiotics should be given immediately. The treatment of choice is an emergency spay, to remove the infected organ. Please Spay and Neuter you pets for their health!