Female infertility revisited

Pet Corner

Pyometra
Today, I would like to return to an aspect ‘female infertility’ which we have already previously touched upon, but which needs to be revisited and dealt with in more detail.  The ailment is called ‘pyometra.’

I have seen this malady described as an abscess of the uterus.  I don’t particularly like this description, but I understand why this term is used.  The word pyometra is of Greek origin and is made up of two words.  The ‘pyo’ part means pus; the ‘metra’ part means womb. So, pyometra simply means pus in the womb.  And that pretty much describes the actual physical appearance of the problem.  Since an abscess really is pus in a cavity, you can see why people might be tempted to call pyometra an abscess of the womb.

pet cornerPyometra is a life-threatening disease of the uterus which occurs most commonly in female dogs over six years of age.  It is believed to be due to a hormonal imbalance. Some of the earlier birth control injections, which contained large amounts of progesterone, were found to cause pyometra and were taken off the market. In fact, any sex hormone treatment has to be monitored very carefully, if only because pyometra conditions often do to evolve from hormonal treatments.

Pyometra appears one to twelve weeks after the bitch goes out of heat. The bitch with pyometra refuses to eat, appears depressed and lethargic, drinks a great deal and urinates frequently.  Often there is abdominal enlargement; (some owners think their bitches are pregnant).  A low grade fever, or a normal (even subnormal) temperature, may exist.

In the ‘open type’ pyometra, the cervix relaxes, releasing a large amount of blood tinged pus (which resembles tomato soup).  In the ‘closed type’ pyometra, pus collects in the uterus (womb).  Since more and more pus is produced and remains in the womb, the abdomen swells. The enlarged womb may be felt as a painful swelling in the lower abdomen.

Treatment
In order to save the life of the bitch, a veterinarian should be called at once.  Hysterectomy is the treatment of choice.  Don’t even try to contain this ailment with antibiotics.  They won’t work!

Rarely, it may be possible to preserve the uterus in a valuable breeding bitch by surgically scraping out the infection and then giving antibiotics and hormones.  I won’t do this, simply because a female dog with pyometra, irrespective of how pedigreed and ‘show ring’ pretty she is, should not be allowed to breed and produce offspring which might have the propensity to perpetuate this ailment due to a genetically anchored hormonal imbalance.

Any veterinarian who has a small animal practice would encounter this ailment (in both cats and dogs).  His/her success rate would depend largely on making (as early as possible) the correct diagnosis.  On the owner’s side, it is imperative that the dog/cat be taken to the vet as soon as the above mentioned symptoms are displayed.

An aside:  craziness or scampishness?
20130203dogI try never to get involved in comments related to prices for commodities.  My policy is based on the belief that if someone is willing to pay an inordinate and probably unworthy sum of money for that which is generally of a low value, then so be it.  Someone said that a fool and his money are soon parted.  Having said that, it is difficult to condone the exploitation of people wanting to purchase what they believe to be a pure breed dog by people who are knowingly and intentionally cheating the purchaser.

Recently, I have been witnessing an upsurge in pet lovers (especially those who want dogs as pets) being hoodwinked. For example, I saw an advertisement for “Lavador” pups for sale.  Was this a new Brazilian breed about which I knew nothing? I called a colleague who studied Veterinary Medicine in Brazil.He informed me that no such breed exists, and – with his usual perspicacity – that in all likelihood the seller meant ‘Labrador.’  My colleague was exactly right.

Now, if this ‘breeder’ does not even know the correct name of the breed, how can he know if the dog is ‘pure’ and complies with the standards associated with that breed?  Further, I see both on TV and in the newspapers, advertisements for “Pure Bred Doberman & Rottweiler crosses.”  Well, breed standards and Pedigree definitions are quite clear.  Just as how a woman is either pregnant or she isn’t, so too a pure-breed dog can only have the characteristics and standards set for the one breed. A Rottweiler can only be a Rottweiler. If it is mixed with a Doberman then that dog is a ‘mongrel’ by definition.  My advice therefore is twofold: (i) Do not expend hundreds of thousands of dollars for a mongrel purporting to be a pure-breed, and (ii) just as you would have a mechanic accompany you when purchasing a car from a dealer, so too you should take knowledgeable person (eg your vet) when purchasing a dog, especially if you are preparing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for the pup/dog. Of course, if the dog you are purchasing comes with a lot of certification and Pedigree history, then you must know how much you can afford or are willing to pay, and commence negotiations.

Only the other day, I saw a Rottweiler whose owner was demanding $360,000 (the price of a second-hand car). If you are willing to pay for the privilege of owing such a dog, then – as I said before – I will make no comment.

Please implement disease preventative measures (vaccinations, routine dewormings, monthly anti-heartworm medication, etc) and adopt-a-pet from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, if you have the wherewithal to care well for the animals.  Do not stray your unwanted pets, take them to the GSPCA’s Clinic and Shelter instead. If you do not wish your pet to have puppies or kittens, you may exploit the GSPCA’s free spay and neutering programme. If you see anyone being cruel to an animal, or if you need any technical information, please get in touch with the Clinic and Shelter by calling 226-4237.