Page 34 - Chow Life - Summer 2016 Issue
P. 34
areas. This can then overgrow those hormones and that may vary adverse side effects and careful
under hormonal influence and may with each heat.” Pyometra may monitoring is necessary. They
cause cysts to form in a condition affect bitches of any age following should not be used in closed
known as cystic endometrial estrus, but it is seen more often pyometra, as it may cause
hyperplasia (CEH). With each cycle, in mature bitches due to many uterine rupture. Treated
hyperplasia waxes and wanes as years of CEH buildup. Because bitches have reduced fertility
the bitch repeats the estrous cycle Missy was not bred for almost and the chance of recurring
and it is this process that can lead three years, CEH could have begun pyometra is very high (50 to
to pyometra. The mucus secreted before her first litter, building 75 percent). The bitch must be
by the cysts that form over time during the following cycles, bred at every cycle thereafter
inflames the uterine lining, helping providing ripening conditions for to prevent reoccurrence of
to make conditions right for finally developing pyometra at 5 pyometra. The U.S. Food and
bacteria to multiply out of control. years. Natural breeding, artificial Drug Administration (FDA),
After ovulation, progesterone insemination, or a urinary- however, has not approved
decreases the response of white tract infection can introduce these drugs for treatment
blood cells to sperm to aid in variably infective bacteria into a of canine pyometra in this
fertilization, but consequently, susceptible uterus. Administration country. Threlfall says that
this action lets the guard down of estrogen to prevent pregnancy in the United States the
for killing bacteria that may enter after a “mismating” or to delay treatment of bitches with a
the open cervix. Progesterone also heat presents a significant risk of combination of antibiotics and
decreases uterine contractions and pyometra. prostaglandin F2- alpha is an
closes the cervix, keeping sperm acceptable practice, and he has used
inside the uterus and trapping Alternate Treatments it since 1980. Lack of FDA approval
the bacteria there as well. They is a funding, not a safety issue, he
grow hidden and quickly within By the time pyometra is believes, and he treats stabilized
the inflamed lining, nourished by diagnosed, future breeding is bitches who are not severely toxic. If
mucus and protected from body questionable. If pyometra is caught you do not plan to breed your bitch,
defenses. Walter R. Threlfall, DVM, early, and the bitch is valuable for spaying is the best way to avoid
is a theriogenologist (reproductive breeding, some breeders may opt to pyometra. The incidence of this
specialist) at the Department of treat it with antibiotics. This is not disease increases with time, and the
Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The highly successful because infection cost of spaying is much less than the
Ohio State University. He says, will continue unless uterine pus is emotional cost of losing a beloved
“Endometrial hyperplasia probably purged. In countries outside the pet to a preventable disease. If she
occurs in all bitches, but the degree United States, treatment includes is an asset to her breed and you
to which it occurs varies. It isn’t antibiotics in conjunction with plan litters, be sure to check for
prostaglandins to force uterine symptoms of pyometra, particularly
based on the concentrations contractions to expel the infected after each estrus, whether she is
of the hormones, but on contents, but these drugs can cause bred or not. When her breeding
how each bitch ‘deals’ with days are over, have her spayed. Be
32 sure to discuss these options with
your veterinarian.
Beverly Stanley is a medical editor and
writer who has bred and exhibited Silky
Terriers and Papillons for over 30 years and
currently shows a Toy Fox Terrier.
This article first appeared in the April 2011
issue of the AKC GAZETTE and is reprinted
with permission.
