Pet Health Advice Neuter your dog to prevent deadly infection |
 Vets from the UK’s leading veterinary
charity, PDSA, are urging pet owners to get their dogs neutered to
prevent them getting deadly infections including ‘pyometra’ – a serious
womb infection.
This warning comes after vets reported an alarming number of pyometra cases across its PetAid hospitals nationwide.
Pyometra is one of the most serious
conditions of a female dog’s reproductive system. Pus accumulates in
the uterus and this releases toxins (poisons) into the body. In
2008, over 800 dogs with this condition underwent surgery to remove the
infected womb. Because dogs with this condition can become seriously
ill, surgery is of greater risk than neutering a dog when they are fit
and well.
Senior Veterinary Surgeon Elaine
Pendlebury said: “Pyometra is a potentially fatal disease. All
responsible dog owners should make sure their dog is neutered when they
are well rather than when they are ill. Your vet will be able to
explain to you what is involved with the operation. I urge dog owners
to discuss this with their vet as soon as they get a new puppy or dog.”
Pyometra is most common in middle-aged
to older female dogs that have recently been in season. Signs include
lethargy, loss of appetite, sickness, excessive drinking and frequent
urinating. There may be a vaginal discharge.
If a dog does develop pyometra, very
mild cases can be treated with antibiotics but the infection will
almost inevitably recur after the dog’s next season. “This is why the
best option is to get a dog neutered when fit and well rather than when
it is ill,” said Elaine Pendlebury. “Un-neutered dogs carry a risk of
pyometra as they get older, especially if they have had repeated false
pregnancies.”
“As this condition is related to the
dog’s hormone levels rather than simply an infection, medicines such as
antibiotics are not enough to cure the problem and usually the only
option left is life-saving surgery.”
PDSA vets treat thousands of pets
suffering illnesses and infections that neutering can prevent. In
addition, neutering prevents unwanted litters so reducing the number of
stray and abandoned pets.
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