Can a sterile bitch have pyometra?

One of the benefits of sterilization is to avoid a life-threatening pathology , called pyometra , which consists of a infection in elutero .Sterilization that includes the extraction of the ovaries and delutero should, therefore, prevent this latter organ from suffering an infection , but we know that there are cases of sterilized bitches that get to suffer from it.Therefore, in this article of Animals and Pets Online we will solve the following question: " Can a sterile bitch have pyometra? ".how can you suffer it, how can we diagnose it and, of course, what is the way to solve it.Read more!

What is the pyometra?

As we have said, pyometra is a infection in elutero, with presence of pus in the enel and systemic changes.Elutero, together with the ovaries, forms the reproductive system of the bitches.Its cycle consists of four phases, being the fertil we know popularly with the name of heat.It is during this period that elutero opens, allowing the entry of bacteria that can ascend from the vagina.the heat, in the phase known as right-handed, the uterine tissue undergoes modifications in the presence of an increased hormone, progesterone.If the changes are accompanied by an inflammatory reaction of the endometrium (interior lining of the uterus), the elutero will become a habitat very conducive to bacteria, those that have been able to reach it during heat.In addition, elutero closes.

All this explains that the pyometra appears after the heat , after about 2-3 months.It is characterized by an unexpected symptomatology It cites, that is, that it can be common to other pathologies, since it presents with polydipsia (increased water intake) and polyuria (increased urination), vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, reluctance to climb on sofas or beds or jump for abdominal pain, sometimes fever and bloody vaginal discharge, which can be confused with jealousy, if we are faced with the one known as open neck pyometra .In this pyometra infection can go going outside, however, in the closed-necked pyometra the pus and other secretions accumulate inside.It is the most dangerous form because it can involve the perforation of the delutero and the exit of its contents to the abdominal cavity, causing peritonitis.But, if pyometra is related to heat, can a sterile bitch have pyometra? We explain it in the next section.

The pyometra in the castrated bitch

At this point it should be known that sterilizations can be performed in the following ways:

• Tubal ligation : This technique is not recommended because It only prevents the dog from getting pregnant, otherwise it would maintain its cycle and the health problems that can result from it.
• Hysterectomy : extraction only delutero.that the heat and the action of the hormones would remain intact, because they are caused by the ovaries.
• Ovariectomy : it is the removal of the ovaries, so that the heat is interrupted.it is done soon, between the first and the second heat, the appearance of breast tumors is prevented.
• Ovariohysterectomy : in this type of intervention both elutero and ovaries are removed, so that there will be no hormonal action or zeal or possible tumors.It is the most frequent.

As we see, a sterilized bitch can have pyometra g>, if it has been subjected to an intervention in which the ovaries have been left or even elutero.Fortunately, these interventions are not the most widespread and it is normal that our dog has undergone ovarectomy or ovariohysterectomy.

If we adopt our adult bitch or even if we operate it, we must ask the veterinarian what type of operation he has performed.In these cases, the key that will explain to us the possibility of a sterilized bitch have pyometra is what we know as remainder or remnant ovarian , which is nothing more than the persistence of ovarian tissue, although both ovaries have been removed.It can happen due to a failure in the surgical technique, since it is sometimes difficult to reach the ovaries by the ovarian itself The dog's physiognomy: In addition, the ovarian tissue may even remain lodged in the abdominal cavity and, due to the effect of hormones, eventually revascularize and behave like an ovary, perfectly functional.

The activation of hormones that Produces this ovarian rest is responsible for causing the pyometra, which will be of munon if the sterilization has been removed elutero, following the mechanism that we have explained in the previous section.A vaginal bleeding or any symptoms such as the aforementioned is a reason for urgent veterinary consultation, especially if our dog is more than six years old, since it is the age from which the risk increases, although this does not mean that younger females cannot suffer.

In conclusion, for the pyometra of munon to occur, the following circumstances must concur:

• When, after sterilization, a deutero portion remains in the body.
• In addition, a hormone called progesterone is elevated, which can happen by ovarian (endogenous) remnant or by some medications (exogenous).
• As we said in the previous point, the ovarian remnant or remainder is needed to generate the necessary hormone.

Treatment of pyometra in the sterilized dog

We have already seen that a sterilized dog may have pyometra, so if our dog has left her ovaries or even in cases where they have been removed, if symptoms like those mentioned appear ( polydipsia, polyuria, vomiting, etc.), the pyometra must be part of the differential diagnosis, although most sterilized bitches will not suffer from this complication.

To confirm the presence or absence of pyometra, the a veterinarian can do a radiography or, better, an ultrasound .Also, in a blood analytical it is normal to see an increase in the number of leukocytes (white blood cells that increase their number in the presence of infection), anemia and, in many cases, an alteration in the parameters that inform us about renal function (creatinine and urea) since the pyometra, in most cases caused by E.coli bacteria produce toxins that easily reach the kidneys.

S or expansion by the organism is a risk, since it can cause sepsis (generalized infection).Once we have the diagnosis confirmed, the most recommended treatment is surgery and use of antibiotics.Before operating the Bitch should be as stabilized as possible, which is achieved by establishing fluid therapy.It is true that, in some cases, it can be treated with medication but you have to know that the pyometra can be repeated after the next heat.

Operation takes risks since elutero, under these conditions, can tear, causing shock and death.As we can see, pyometra is a life-threatening pathology.Prevention, by sterilization, is the most effective to avoid it and this should always be done by trusted professionals to minimize the risks of ovarian rest or remnant.

Other complications of ovariohysterectomy

In conclusion, a sterilized female dog may have a python of munon as a complication after surgery. Other problems that may arise are the following:

• Hemorrhages during surgery, especially if this is done during the estrus phase, in which the area has a greater blood supply.
• As we have seen, remainder or remnant ovarian, produced when some fragment of ovarian tissue remains in the organism.
• Sometimes the ureter can be ligated accidentally.
• Urinary incontinence, sometimes due to adhesions between bladder and munon uterine or estrogen reduction.
• Fistulas if inadequate suture material is used.

All these risks are minimized with a surgical technique adequate , hence the importance of having a good veterinarian.The incidence of complications is low enough that sterilization is a recommended intervention.

This article is merely informative, in Animals and Pets Online we do not have the power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in the event that it presents any type of condition or discomfort.

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