Pyometra in Dogs: What Every Dog Owner Needs to Know

Some of the illnesses and injuries that can affect our pups are easy to spot and treat. But there are some that we can't see as easily and could be life-threatening to our four-legged pals. Continue reading to learn more about one such dangerous infection — pyometra — and how to treat it.

What Is Pyometra?

Pyometra is a potentially life-threatening infection that occurs in the uterus of unspayed female dogs. It can be deadly if left untreated, so it's important to treat this condition quickly and aggressively.¹

The infection is caused by hormonal changes that make it easier for bacteria to thrive, which continue for several weeks after your dog is in heat. Dogs taking progesterone-based drugs as part of hormone therapy have an elevated chance of developing pyometra.¹

Considering that 20% of intact female dogs could develop pyometra by the age of 10 and the mortality rate is around 10%, medical treatment is essential for the health and well-being of your dog.²

Types of Pyometra

There are two main types of pyometra in dogs: open and closed.

• In open pyometra, the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina) stays open, which results in pus or blood draining out of the uterus and through your dog's vagina.¹
• With closed pyometra, the cervix is closed and the discharge can't drain, so you won't see anything coming out of your dog. However, this is a much more dangerous situation because the uterus could burst.¹

There's also a less common type of pyometra called stump pyometra, where a small uterus stump remains inside the dog after an incomplete ovariohysterectomy (spay) and gets infected.³

Symptoms of Pyometra in Dogs

The severity of symptoms depends on if the pyometra is open or closed, and symptoms usually start showing up about two to eight weeks after your dog's last heat.¹

The symptoms can mimic several other conditions, so it's important to get your dog to the veterinarian for an exam right away if you notice any of the following:¹

• Increased water intake
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pus or bloody discharge from the vagina (the discharge may be foul smelling)
• Bloated or distended stomach
• Lethargy
• Changes in appetite
• Increased urination
• Poor appetite
• Fever

Diagnosing Pyometra in Dogs

Early detection and prompt medical attention are the key to your dog's survival.¹ To diagnose pyometra, your veterinarian will ask about your dog's medical history and most recent heat cycle.³ From there, the doctor will do a physical exam and may recommend any or all of the following additional tests:³

• General chemistry profile
• Complete blood count
• Urinalysis
• Abdominal X-rays
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Vaginal cytology

Treating Pyometra in Dogs

Pyometra requires immediate medical treatment, including an ovariohysterectomy to remove the infected uterus and ovaries.¹ The more severe the pyometra, the more complications may occur during surgery.³ As long as the infection stays in the uterus and hasn't spread to the abdominal cavity or caused other problems, the prognosis for survival with an ovariohysterectomy is 80% to 100%.³

Some dogs may also need to be monitored for signs of sepsis, shock, anemia and other conditions. In rare cases, a dog may develop persistent dehydration, which can result in permanent kidney damage.³

In very special circumstances, a dog may be treated medically if they are needed for breeding purposes. Eighty-six percent of dogs treated medically vs. surgically will get the infection again, so it's recommended that they are spayed as soon as the litter is born.²

The average cost for a routine spay at a veterinary clinic or animal hospital is $465,⁴ but an emergency spay for a medical issue will probably cost more. This amount usually includes the anesthesia, procedure and prescribed medications related to the surgery. Any fluids or antibiotics that your dog may need to treat the pyometra will likely incur an additional cost.

Preventing Pyometra in Dogs

The best way to prevent this infection is to spay your female dog while she is young and healthy. If your dog is needed for breeding, breed her at an appropriate age and then have her spayed to avoid the likelihood of an infection developing.²

While it was — and often still is — recommended that puppies are spayed at the age of four to six months, more recent research indicates that for some breeds, spaying and neutering too early may be associated with an increased chance of developing certain health conditions and cancers. Sex hormones are important for development, but different-sized dogs mature at different ages, which means spay timelines vary. For example, small breeds mature around six to nine months, while large and giant breeds may not mature until 16 to 18 months.⁵

Pyometra is a very dangerous, life-threatening infection that can be prevented by spaying your dog at an early age. If you aren't able to spay your dog and she develops pyometra, early detection is the key to your dog's survival. While there are medication treatment options in special circumstances, the main way to ensure the health and well-being of your dog is to get an ovariohysterectomy (spay) to remove the infected uterus and ovaries. Your dog may still need monitoring, but the prognosis is usually very good.

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Dogs

The CareCredit credit card provides a convenient way to pay for your dog's vaccinations and other health and wellness expenses, including exams, medications and products at providers in the CareCredit network.* Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos. Use our Acceptance Locator to find a veterinarian that accepts CareCredit to help keep your pet healthy and happy for a lifetime of love.

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Author Bio

Abbie Mood is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience. She has worked with clients of all sizes to create compelling content and has written for the American Kennel Club, Marriott Bonvoy, Women's Health Online, Headspace and more.