Question for dog breeders about dog in heat

[sourland]

I am with Dave P. I would guess that she has a pyometra not at all uncommon in non-neutered grump that are not being bred. Veterinary attention and a probable spay are in order if this is the case.

 

[pardygwyn]

Exactly. Six years may not be the end of every dog's reproductive life, but I would get veterinary care for any dog whose cycles were noticeably off, regardless of age. Even though the forum changes the word for female dog into "grump."

Okay, so these photos are going to be a little gross, so don't follow the links if you don't want to see excised dog uteri... but this is a normal set of uterine horns with ovaries, and this is what infected uterine horns look like. If those photos can't express how serious this situation might be, I don't know if anything ever will. If that uterus had ruptured inside the dog even during surgery, it would have been difficult to impossible to save her life.

 

[ams3651]

I looked it up and she doesnt seem to have a lot of those symptoms but I will have to wait till tomorrow to call the vet. Thanks again.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Pyos move very very rapidly. I have had two dogs with them - both large mastiffs. One we were able to save in ER surgery - the other never made it out of surgery cause she was too weak when the infection was discovered. Both older dogs, one had whelped before - the other was maiden.


If your dog is running a temp - get her to the vet is the best advice.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Quote:
Sometimes the only symptom is discharge and sleeping. Our maiden dog was that way.

 

[pardygwyn]

Horsefeatherz beat me to it.

I've also heard of pyo without a fever, so even that symptom isn't entirely reliable. Any owner of an intact female dog should know her cycles and be alert for any inconsistencies, especially coupled with lethargy. You've done that, which is a lot more than many pet owners do. Hopefully she's fine, or at the very least well enough that she'll make it to tomorrow. Fingers crossed for you.

 

[Brindlebtch]

I have heard of pyo with no symptoms to speak of other than slight depression - I heard this from a sheltie breeder. They did an ultrasound and immediate surgery.

 

[pardygwyn]

Wow, I'm glad they were able to catch it in time! This is the reason I find pyometria to be a scarier risk to canine tubal ligation than mammary cancer, even though I know both are devastating. It's so subtle and moves so fast. ):

 

[ams3651]

THanks for all your advice, she will be going into surgery in the next few minutes. She has a very mild case because I caught it early. I told the vet that I got great advice on here. The $800 bill on the other hand I may very well loose my soul over.

 

[babymakes6]

Hope she comes through the surgery fine!
Well-done, amateur vets!