Evaluation of Breed, Age, Clinical manifestation, Diagnosis and Treatment for Canine Pyometra

Pyometra among the canines is characterized by the presence of purulent material within the uterus and is primarily seen during the diestrus phase of the estrus cycle. The primary reason is progesterone, which stimulates increased secretory activity of endometrial glands resulting in endometrial proliferation, decreased contractility of the myometrium and ultimately, cervical closure. Also, it decreases the leucocyte response of the uterus and makes it prone to bacterial infection, with Escherichia coli being the most commonly isolated pathogen. During the period of two years, a total of 2500 dogs with various ailments were presented to the clinics. Among these dogs, 194 female dogs had a primary complaint of polyuria, polydipsia, and abnormal vaginal discharge. The majority of the animals were having chronic kidney disease (53%), followed by hepatic disease (26.3%), pyometra (11.8%), and diabetes mellitus (2.5%). In the rest of the animals, a primary diagnosis was not reached, and they were sent to the referral hospitals to reach a diagnosis. The majority of the animals with pyometra were 6–9 yrs of age (n=18), and the rest of the animals were 3–5 yrs of age (n=5). Spitz was the most commonly presented breed, followed by Labrador retriever, rottweiler (8.6%), pitbull (8.6%), non-descript (8.6%), dachshund (4.3%), and pointer (4.3%). Most commonly presented clinical signs were inappetence to anorexia and lethargy (n=23), followed by polydipsia (n=15), polyuria (n=13), and vomiting (n=6). Obvious purulent vaginal discharge was present in fourteen animals, whereas two animals had hemorrhagic vaginal discharge. In the rest of the animals (n=7), there was no evidence of vaginal discharge, and they were classified as closed-cervix pyometra. Diagnosis was made based on blood workup findings, such as severe leukocytosis in fifteen and concurrent azotemia in only five animals. Closed-cervix pyometra is highly associated with impaired renal health in the affected animals. Radiography was performed only in animals with closed cervix pyometra, and the findings were enlarged uterine loops in the middle to caudal abdomen displacing intestinal loops dorsally (n=4). Treatment in affected animals involves ovariohysterectomy. No postoperative complication was noticed postoperatively, and the suture was removed 14 days post-surgery.