Pyometra is an infection
of the womb. There is the
open pyometra where the
owner can see brownish
sticky vaginal discharge and
the closed pyometra where
the presenting sign may be a
swollen abdomen.
TWO CASE STUDIES
Two closed pyometra cases
from my case files, in two
breeds of dogs of similar
ages are presented. Both
dogs had large swollen
abdomens as the presenting
sign. The Miniature
Schnauzer survived the
anaesthesia and surgery but
the Siberian Husky did not.
The Siberian Husky was very
thin when she was operated
as an emergency case by me.
She had been treated by Vet
1 with antibiotics but had
not responded and there was
a delay in seeking
veterinary attention. .
Miniature Schnauzer
X-ray showed swollen uterine
bodies
X-ray showed swollen uterine
bodies
Uterine bodies swollen with pus
Dog is OK after surgery
Siberian Husky
Weight loss and
distended abdomen
X-ray showed swollen
uterine bodies
Uterine bodies swollen
with pus
2094
- 2906. Spay your female dog when she is young
as the younger Singaporean generation usually has
to work long hours and has
little time for her when she is
older. In this case, pus had
accumulated in the
womb which weighed 4
kg.
The Siberian Husky had
lost weight
considerably and was
only 18 kg when
presented for surgery.
Her net weight was 14
kg as the pyometra
womb weighed 4 kg.
She was extremely high
risk for anaesthesia
and passed away on the
operating table when
an emergency spay was
done by me. For
reasons unknown to me,
Vet 1 had prescribed
antibiotics for the
swollen abdomen. There
could be financial
distress on the part
of the owner as
regards further
testing for the
swollen abdomen. The
owner might just want
some antibiotics. In
such situations, the
vet should record in
writing his advices
for evidence of close
pyometra in his case
file.
In this Siberian
Husky, there was a
delay in seeking
surgical treatment.
The dog was too ill to
survive the
anaesthesia and there
was much sadness,
unhappiness and
resentment by the
family members towards
Vet 1.
TIPS & ADVICES
for the Dog Owner:
1. SEEK
PROMPT VETERINARY
ATTENTION
when your dog does not
eat around 4-8 weeks
after her heat period.
That is when pyometra
develops. Many younger
Singaporean dog owners
feel that it is cruel
to sterilise their
dogs. As they become
busy in their careers,
they neglect their
older dog's health.
The dog is well
provided for in food
and there are the
parents and the
domestic worker to
look after the dog.
They don't have time
to bring their dogs
for walks and when
their dogs are not
well, they delay
seeking veterinary
treatment or second
opinions.
2. SPAYyour female dog when she is young and healthy. Pyometra surgeries to
remove the womb are
high-risk anaesthestic
cases since the dog is
already very sick.
Some do die during
anaesthesia.
TIPS & ADVICES for the newly
graduated Veterinary
Surgeon:
1.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
Pyometra should top
the list of
differential diagnosis
in female dogs
presented with
distended abdomen with
or without vomiting.
The onset of estrus
should be asked and
recorded in the
medical case sheets.
However, some owners
give incorrect
dates of estrus and
this could lead to a
mis-diagnosis of
closed pyometra as gas
in the stomach and
intestines. In some
cases, the owner's
mother knows the onset
but she is not present
during consultation.
2. HIGH MEDICAL
COSTS
Compared to a spay,
pyometra surgery costs
a lot more. If the
owner desires the
least medical costs,
he will not want
to pay for the blood
tests and X-rays. I
usually advise a spay
to be done soon once
the dog is fit for
surgery.
Evidence-based
medicine should be
practised but
compassion will be
needed for financial
distressed owners.
3. AGAINST
MEDICAL ADVICES
The vet should record
"Against Medical
Advices" on the
medical records, if
the owner declines
blood tests and X-rays
of the swollen
abdomen. This written
advice will be a
defence in cases of
complaints and
litigation. A good vet
will be meticulous in
writing his case
records and advices
given to the owner.
Write your advices as
you talk rather than
wait till the end of
consultation as you
will have omitted
certain information.
TOA
PAYOH VETS
