Uterine inflammations in female dogs are not uncommon. The likelihood of an unspayed female dog developing uterine inflammation increases with age. Many of them exhibit severe courses that can, in some cases, even be life-threatening. For this reason, it is essential to gather information about uterine inflammations to react and intervene promptly.
What is Uterine Inflammation?
When the uterine lining of a dog becomes inflamed, it is referred to as uterine inflammation. The result is typically an accumulation of pus in the cavity of the uterine horns. This is also known as pyometra in dogs, indicating a uterine abscess.
Since the uterus is usually tightly sealed from the outside world, pus, along with its toxins, cannot drain. It continues to accumulate and expand. As the inflammation progresses, and the cavity fills, the uterine lining becomes more porous and permeable. This allows toxins and infectious agents from the uterus to enter the bloodstream, triggering blood poisoning, or sepsis.
If the lining becomes too porous or the pus accumulation is too severe, the uterus may rupture. The pus enters the abdominal cavity, causing peritonitis, an inflammation of the abdominal lining.
Caution:
Both sepsis and peritonitis are acutely life-threatening conditions requiring immediate stabilization and emergency care from a veterinarian.
Types of Pyometra in Dogs
There are two different types of pyometra in dogs.
Open Pyometra:
An open pyometra means that pus can drain through an opening in the cervix. The dog exhibits discharge. The cervix is only open during the heat cycle. Open pyometras are relatively rare. They are less dangerous than closed pyometras since pus does not accumulate in the uterine cavity, reducing the risk of sepsis or uterine rupture.
Closed Pyometra:
A closed pyometra is the more common variant of uterine inflammations. In this case, the cervix is closed, preventing accumulating secretions, such as pus, from draining. Instead, they accumulate in the uterine cavity.
Causes of Uterine Inflammation in Dogs
In most cases, uterine inflammation occurs in unspayed female dogs, with the sexual hormone cycle playing a crucial role in its development.
The origin of pyometra often lies in the heat cycle, during which the thickness of the uterine lining decreases due to hormonal changes. During this time, it becomes more susceptible to possible infectious agents. Simultaneously, the uterus is minimally open, allowing sperm to travel through the uterus to the ovaries in the event of mating. However, this opening also exposes the uterus to infectious agents. The uterine lining provides an ideal environment for these infectious agents to nest. In many cases, the heat cycle continues undisturbed during this process.
At the end of the heat cycle, the uterus closes again. Meanwhile, infectious agents lead to inflammation of the uterine lining, resulting in a closed pyometra. In rare cases, inflammation may occur during the open phase of the uterus.
Good to know:
Hormonal imbalances, cancer, and pregnancies can also cause uterine inflammation through inflammatory processes.
Symptoms of Uterine Inflammation in Dogs
- Apathy
- Lethargy
- Foul-smelling, bloody, or purulent vaginal discharge
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Painful, retracted, bloated abdomen
- Arched back
- Increased thirst
- Possibly pink-colored urine
Tip: Symptoms of uterine inflammation in dogs often appear approximately 4-8 weeks after the last heat cycle. A well-observed timeframe can provide crucial initial clues for the veterinarian’s diagnosis.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If a female dog exhibits one or more of the above-mentioned symptoms, she should be promptly taken to the veterinarian. The veterinarian will inquire extensively about the observed symptoms and the timeline of the symptoms. Depending on the suspicion, further diagnostic measures will be initiated.
This typically includes laboratory diagnostics of blood values and blood chemistry, as well as performing an ultrasound examination. Ultrasound is usually highly indicative, especially in the case of closed pyometra, that there is a change in the uterus.
If there is a strong suspicion of pyometra or uterine rupture, the veterinarian may consider exploratory laparotomy, a surgical procedure to further diagnose the condition. The treatment of choice, following a confirmed diagnosis, is usually an ovariohysterectomy, which involves the removal of both the ovaries and the affected uterus.
After the removal of the uterus, it is sent to pathology to better understand the cause of pyometra and exclude cancer. Severely affected female dogs often require stabilization through intravenous therapy before the surgery.
Depending on the severity of uterine inflammation, for valuable breeding females, attempts can be made with antibiotic therapy along with pain management. Since these medications often do not reach the inflamed uterine lining effectively due to the blood circulation barrier, there is only a low chance of their sufficient efficacy.
In the case of an open pyometra, local antibiotic therapy can be attempted by using antibiotic sticks inserted directly into the uterus. However, the prognosis for success is still cautious. If the treatments are not sufficiently effective, spaying along with the removal of the uterus is inevitable to save the dog’s life.
Euthanizing a dog due to uterine inflammation is generally not necessary. However, with advanced disease, possibly in combination with peritonitis or sepsis, the prognosis for the dog’s recovery deteriorates despite spaying and treatment. In such cases, it is advisable to seek advice from the veterinarian and consider whether one is willing to subject the dog to surgery with its associated risks, especially if the prognosis is very poor.
Prognosis
The earlier uterine inflammation is detected and treated, the better the prognosis. However, there always remains a risk associated with surgery and anesthesia.
Treatment Costs
The costs of treating uterine inflammation in dogs vary depending on the progress and severity of the condition. The expenses for routine spaying with postoperative care range between $500 to $1000, excluding anesthesia costs, depending on the complexity. The costs for emergency surgery with hospitalization and stabilization quickly reach $2000. Since uterine inflammation is a common condition in female dogs over 8 years old, it is worth considering pet insurance for the dog.
Prevention of Uterine Inflammation
Several factors contribute to the development of pyometra. For those who choose not to spay their female dogs, maintaining hygiene, especially during heat cycles, and avoiding bathing during that time are essential preventive measures. Another preventive measure is spaying, where removal of the ovaries as a hormone source is usually sufficient. Consultation with the veterinarian is often helpful in making informed decisions.
