Spaying your dog or cat is important not just for preventing unwanted pregnancy and pet overpopulation but for other life threatening conditions such as pyometra or uterine infection. At Middletown Animal Hospital, Dr. Smith immediately removed a pus filled uterus on a cat after the cat was examined for smelly pus and bloody discharge from the vulva in addition to fever.
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Pyometra is a result of hormonal and structural changes in the uterus lining that can occur at any age, whether the animal has been bred or not, and whether it is the first heat or not.
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Open pyometra symptoms may include discharge of pus from the vulva but symptoms of a closed pyometra are less obvious and often missed or confused with other conditions. They may include vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, fever, and increased drinking and urinating. In a closed pyometra the cervix is closed so there is no outlet for the infection resulting in potential ruptured uterus with pus escaping into the abdomen causing peritonitis and possible rapid death. At Middletown Animal Hospital we have the tools and expertise to diagnose this condition. We utilize digital radiographs to show an enlarged uterus, ultrasound to confirm a fluid filled uterus, and in-house bloodworm to show dehydration or an increased white blood cell count.