Sterilization and, above all, castration are highly recommended surgical operations when you have a dog that you do not want to breed. But in addition, if said animal is a female, it is also advised to prevent such serious diseases as pyometra, which consists of an infection in the uterus.
However, even with the operation performed, it may happen that the risk of suffering from it is not totally eliminated. So If you are wondering if a sterilized dog can have pyometra, in this article we will tell you.
What is the pyometer?
It is a disease that dogs can have after heat, which consists of the infection in the uterus with pus in the. To understand it better, it is necessary to know that the reproductive cycle of bitches consists of four phases, the fertile being the one we know as heat. During this the uterus opens, so that bacteria can ascend to it from the vagina.
After heat, the uterine tissue undergoes changes due to the increase in progesterone, and if one of these changes is an inflammation of the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus), this organ will become a home that is highly valued by bacteria, since it also the uterus will close.
When that happens, Two or three months after heat, the first symptoms will appear, which are:
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Urine with blood
- Increase in water intake
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Increased urination
- Anorexia
But if this disease is related to heat, can a spayed dog have pyometra?
The pyometer and the spayed bitch
At this point you have to know that veterinarians perform four types of operations that prevent the furry from getting pregnant, which are:
- Tubal ligation: It consists of the constriction or strangulation of the fallopian tubes. But zeal is not eliminated.
- Hysterectomy: The uterus is removed. The heat would remain intact, since the action of the hormones would continue since it is caused by the ovaries.
- Oophorectomy: the ovaries are removed, so the heat is interrupted. Doing it soon, before the first heat or before the second, will prevent breast cancer.
- Ovariohysterectomy: the uterus and ovaries are removed, thus interrupting heat and preventing the appearance of possible tumors.
Knowing this, a sterilized bitch can have pyometra if you have undergone an intervention in which the uterus and / or ovaries have been left, or no longer these, but remains of ovarian tissue. It is not often that this happens, but if your dog has had all her reproductive organs removed but she licks her genital area a lot and / or if she has vaginal bleeding, it may be that she has some remains so a visit to the vet is mandatory.
Which is the treatment?
If you suspect that your spayed dog has pyometra, you should take her to see a professional. He will do an x-ray or ultrasound, plus a blood test to see if there has been an increase in white blood cells, anemia and / or kidney impairment.
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, will put you on treatment which consists of operating on her and administering antibiotics. Now, you have to know that the operation has risks: the uterus can tear, causing shock and death. The way to avoid reaching this situation is to castrate the bitch, that is, to remove all the reproductive organs, before the first heat.
As you can see, pyometra is a very serious disease. When in doubt, consult your trusted vet.