How common is pyometra in unspayed dogs?

Pyometra is an infection of the uterus in dogs and cats. It is relatively common, affecting approximately 25\% of unspayed female dogs and cats. It is a serious condition which results in a variety of clinical and pathological signs requiring emergency surgery to remove the infected uterus.

Is there any way to prevent pyometra?

The best and only prevention for pyometra is to have your dog spayed. Spaying (whether by removing the uterus and ovaries or just the ovaries) removes the hormonal stimulation that causes both heat cycles and the uterine changes that allow pyometra to happen.

What happens if a female dog is not spayed?

Female dogs can get much more life threatening conditions if they are not spayed. They can get an uterine infection, called pyometra, that requires emergency surgery. If this condition is untreated or surgery is not done as soon as possible, the infection gets into the bloodstream and becomes fatal.

Do all female dogs get pyometra?

Pyometra may occur in any sexually intact young to middle-aged dog; however, it is most common in older dogs.

Does spaying prevent pyometra?

Spaying eliminates heat cycles and prevents litters of unplanned puppies. Spaying can also prevent pyometra, which is an infection of the uterus. Pyometra is a medical emergency that, if left untreated, is usually fatal.

How do you prevent pyometra in dogs?

Pyometra is entirely preventable. If your dog is successfully spayed before her first season, she will be best protected from this and many other reproductive diseases. If you are a breeder, you can still protect your dogs by tracking their seasons and closely monitoring any changes in their behaviour.

Do female dogs live longer if they are spayed?

On average, dogs that are spayed or neutered live longer than those whose goods remain intact, new research finds. The average age of death for dogs that had not been fixed was 7.9 years, they found, whereas those that had been spayed or neutered lived to 9.4 years.

What are the first signs of pyometra?

Symptoms of pyometra include early warning signs of the animal feeling unwell, such as vomiting, refusal to eat, lethargy, increased thirst and frequent urination. She may also appear to be uncomfortable, because pyometra is a particularly painful condition for dogs, while being somewhat less so for cats.