PYOMETRA: The Life-Threatening Risk for Unspayed Female Dogs & Cats

Expert Contributor

How to save your beloved pets from this horrible, potentially fatal disease

by Dr. Sarah Alexander, DVM, of The Spayed Club Veterinary Clinic

When you choose to spay your dog or cat, you are not only being a responsible owner, but you are protecting them from a dangerous medical condition. Spaying pets helps the pet overpopulation problem in our country and the needless euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals in shelters, and prevents them from developing a life-threatening condition called Pyometra.

The word pyometra is comprised of the Latin roots “pyo” meaning pus and “metra” meaning uterus. In simple terms, the condition consists of an infected, or pus-filled, uterus. A large majority of pet owners are completely unaware of this often fatal disease that is all too common in dogs and cats.

The exact prevalence in the dog and cat population is unknown because most dogs and cats are spayed early in their lives nowadays but it is seen quite frequently at clinics. One study in 2001 showed 24% of the intact female dogs in the sample group developing pyometra by the age of 10 and another in 2010 was over 15% in females greater than 4 years of age.

As intact females get older, they become more at risk of developing pyometra. The only effective treatment for pyometra is an emergency ovariohysterectomy (spay) surgery. If you wait until your pet is sick to have them spayed, not only are you going to accrue thousands of dollars in medical bills (five to ten times that of a normal spay) but the infection can lead to further complications. Examples include septicemia (bacterial infection in the blood), shock, liver damage, damage to the heart muscle, kidney damage or failure, and death if not treated promptly. The uterus can also rupture releasing pus into the abdomen leading to potentially fatal peritonitis (infection of the abdominal cavity).

When an animal is very sick and compromised from a condition such as pyometra, the surgery is much more involved and risky. Why not have the procedure performed at a young, healthy age when you can save money and decrease the potential risk and discomfort for your animal? Spaying completely prevents this disease from ever happening. Please be a responsible pet owner and do what’s right for your dogs and cats. Save your beloved pets from this horrible, potentially fatal disease by spaying your animals. They are counting on you.

Dr. Sarah Alexander, DVM, with a patient at The Spayed Club Veterinary Clinic

800 Chester Pike, Sharon Hill

Conveniently located 9 short miles from Marple!

Affordable, High-Quality Veterinary Care

484-540-8436

The Mission of The Spayed Club Clinic: Eliminate unnecessary dog and cat euthanasia through affordable veterinary care and spay/neuter surgeries. The Spayed Club is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity organization.

Veterinary Examination for Dog or Cat: $35. See our website for a list of services and transparent pricing.

www.TheSpayedClubClinic.org