Clinic Case of the Month

Peanut the bulldog was brought to us because her owners noticed she was not eating, quiet, and possibly bleeding from vulva. She was not desexed and had finished a season a week prior to her presentation.

On her physical exam, the vet noticed she had a slight temperature indicating infection. She also had a distended abdomen and what felt like a large mass. The vet was worried that the large mass she was feeling was an infected uterus.

Pyometras are a potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus. They are most common in un-desexed, middle-aged female dogs, but can occur at any age. Dogs with pyometras often present with non-specific symptoms such as lethargy, inappetence, fever, and a distended abdomen. Depending on the type of pyometra, there can be discharge from the vagina. Symptoms can rapidly progress to sepsis, shock, and death.

An emergency point-of-care ultrasound revealed a large, fluid filled uterus, confirming Peanut had a pyometra. Once admitted, she had major abdominal surgery to remove the infected uterus. She was also given intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and supportive care. Peanut was able to make a full recovery and is doing well today.

Pyometra can easily be prevented by desexing your female dog.