Bella continued to show little improvement on her antibiotics so I stopped giving them to her and thursday morning I gave her a dose of metacam (painkiller) to help make her feel more comfortable and went to work. I then rang another vets practice to go for a 2nd opinion and to just see if they had any ideas on what to do or if they believed me over the whole BPS theory.
When I got home to a very vocal and waggy tailed Bell I really thought we were turning a corner and she was throwing her food bowl around and she ate a normal meal of kibble for the first time since last tuesday and she was pestering me and my friend for cuddles running, yes running between us for kisses and suddenly began humping me and howling and went to lick her "bits" when I noticed straw colour discharge and within a couple of minutes it had turned to red blood dripping out (just like with season) and so straight back on phone to our vets who said this is not normal post spay and they need to operate on her to see whats going on and looks like foreign body reaction to sutures.
This may be why she has sore neck as bloods do indicate high inflammetary process going on but it could still be that she had a pre exsisting neck problem which was aggrivated during surgery.
We saw 2nd opinion who agreed it could be the BPS and to maybe try some steroids to see if any improvement and they advised to not put her through another operation so soon (9 days after 1st) and to see how she is in the morning.
So I starved her from 8pm just incase she was to be operated on and we took her in to the vet at 8am. She had made such a remarkable improvement in 24 hours and had no more blood loss so we decided to leave her be and finally got signed off post spay. She has lost more weight but fir the first time in over 2 weeks her temperature was normal and her neck was much easier to move and no pain on doing so. Vet was very pleased, as were we and we go back at the first sign of neck pain or any signs of pain again and they will refer her for CT scan and do a spinal tap on her too. We are now allowed to treat her as "normal" so walks are back on and she can have a bath which I must do actually as she stinks lol!!
That evening I got a call from georgie (vet) to say bells vaginal swab results are back which we did mon/tues with 1st set of bloods to see what was going on "that end".....the lab can't identify the bacteria, it's a totally new strain and unknown to them or their database!
it's also resistant to ALL antib's used on it and reacts with them!!! Hence putting her on 3x antib's has made her worse!! I stopped them sun pm she perked up mon, went on new ones mon pm got worse so stopped these weds pm and by thurs she was better! The lab is going to continue to grow the cultures and ring me next week with some more answers.
someone please say this is it as I'm worn out and so confused. The vet said she will ring in a few weeks to find out how she's doing as this is getting weirder and weirder by the day and she wishes she could stay and discover more and if lab proves this is a new virus could prove quite incredible! She says she's not only a walking mystery but a medical one in a million dog!!!
It explains the huge reaction to antib's and ongoing discharge as a pup and inf during season etc but as yet what it is is anyones guess!!!
Im so sad though that her vet has now left and moved practices :( she was SO good and her new practice are very lucky to have her. Today Bella is 100% her usual naughty self :) Shes obviously losing the female hormone as she is as randy as anything!!
So lets see what this week has in store for us and Bell shall we!! xxx
Monday 26 July 2010
Tuesday 20 July 2010
Im copying this from a dog forum I use as im too lazy to retype :D
I'm starting a new thread about Bella and her recent ill health in the hope maybe someone has had similar or has similar happen to them and in future it may prove helpful to someone. I must stress at this moment this is a theory we are working on at the moment and nothing is concrete.
Background info on Bella- She is a 10 month old purebred beagle, she has been with us since 8 weeks and has had all vaccinations required and has been a healthy dog until the last 6-7 weeks.
When Bella was 5 months old she had juvenile vaginitus which is quite common is all breeds of dogs and was treated succesfully with antibiotics (novoclav) She then started her first season aged 9 months old (literally to the day) on 6th June and from day 1 it was a heavy and stressful time for both her and us. about a week into her season she was bleeding very heavily and her vulva became very swollen and a trip to the vets confirmed odema (swelling) and an infection so she had painkillers and antibiotics again and within 5 days things cleared up and she picked up again. We discussed having her spayed 12 weeks later with the vet.
Less than 2 weeks after her season finished I came home to find bella restless and lethargic and with a egg white discharge coming from her vulva, trip to the vets confirmed my worst fears that it looked like the start of pyometra
and we started her on a course of 10 days antib's and booked her in for an emergency spay 4 days later to give antib a chance to make the op safe.
She had the spay op last weds (6 days ago) and the vet confirmed uterus wasnt right and lucky to of noticed when I did. Since coming home Bella hasnt been right and with each day has got worse sadly. It took her 4 days of sleeping solidly (day and night) to get a little energy to stay awake during the day. We saw the vet 3 days post spay and she wasnt happy with how sleepy and uncomfortable she was looking and prescribed us another 3 days painkillers and to come back in 48 hours.
Symptoms at this point were-high temp (over 39) loss of weight, sleeping 23 hours a day and no appatite and little water being drunk, shivering and muscle spasms when resting-like restless legs.
Sunday I noticed her looking very stiff on walking and walking with her head hung low, she also was reluctant to eat out of her bowl off the floor so I began hand feeding her. She was eating science hills recovary wet food which is high in calories so should of perked her up--did nothing!
Monday took her back to vets and still no improvement and I showed the vet her lack of being able to bend down to pick something off the floor, and so the vet had a check of her neck and on moving her (gently I must add) bella yelped when her head was lifted up and turning left and right. so this left us with a new symptom and a whole host of unanswered questions.
The vets opinions were that she could of had a pre exsisting neck or back issue which normally bella masked by being awake and not using or moving if it hurt but under a general anesthetic with her muscles flaccid and being picked up by the vets they have caused something to go wrong be it a disc slipping or nerve trapping or something a little more sinister. Or it could be the infection is still on going-her temp is still above 39.c and hasnt come down for nearly 2 weeks now and as in humans when we have flu our muscles ache.
She also mentioned beagle neck pain and said we would need a CT scan to check her neck and spine for damage and in the mean time take her back home and see how she goes over 24 hours. I asked for a full blood test to show if an infection still present (high white blood cells count) check organ function and to rule out any other possibility. So that was taken and we get the results tonight.
On coming home I have been doing a little (lot) more research and reading up on beagle neck pain as its know SRM, she has 99% of the symptoms.
The problem may present with a variety of symptoms and is often misdiagnosed as Lyme disease, cervical/spinal injury, or massive bacterial infection. Cervical pain, shaking, hunched back stance, fever, lack of appetite, stiff neck, muscle spasms (especially in front legs and neck), lethargy, and unwillingness to move can be noted and theses symptoms may appear quickly.The dog maybe hesitant to bark and opening of the jaw seems to be painful.Some affected dogs may cry out in pain with the slightest attempt of movement.There are reports of blindness and limb paralysis associated with this syndrome.
Bella has all of the above and fits this description perfectly, she is also smack bang in the age bracket for this problem 4m-2 yrs. This morning on trying to move her off my bed she growled and showed her teeth when I merely placed my hands on her shoulders so she is def in pain.
The test for this is normally a lumber puncture by can be diagnosed purely through syptoms and treatment is antibiotics and/or steroids. Im going to ask the vet if we can try her on this treatment for a couple of days as all reported cases show a incredible improvement seen within 12 hours so we shall know if its working or not. Whether or not she will agree with me I dont know but what else can I do but try all avenues. If there is no improvement I need to accept maybe it is damage to spinal area and get a ct done.
I will update this after our appointment tonight at 730 and if anyone has any advice or is worried about their own dog (its not just beagles this can happen to) then please feel free to reply here. sorry its SO long
I'm starting a new thread about Bella and her recent ill health in the hope maybe someone has had similar or has similar happen to them and in future it may prove helpful to someone. I must stress at this moment this is a theory we are working on at the moment and nothing is concrete.
Background info on Bella- She is a 10 month old purebred beagle, she has been with us since 8 weeks and has had all vaccinations required and has been a healthy dog until the last 6-7 weeks.
When Bella was 5 months old she had juvenile vaginitus which is quite common is all breeds of dogs and was treated succesfully with antibiotics (novoclav) She then started her first season aged 9 months old (literally to the day) on 6th June and from day 1 it was a heavy and stressful time for both her and us. about a week into her season she was bleeding very heavily and her vulva became very swollen and a trip to the vets confirmed odema (swelling) and an infection so she had painkillers and antibiotics again and within 5 days things cleared up and she picked up again. We discussed having her spayed 12 weeks later with the vet.
Less than 2 weeks after her season finished I came home to find bella restless and lethargic and with a egg white discharge coming from her vulva, trip to the vets confirmed my worst fears that it looked like the start of pyometra
and we started her on a course of 10 days antib's and booked her in for an emergency spay 4 days later to give antib a chance to make the op safe.She had the spay op last weds (6 days ago) and the vet confirmed uterus wasnt right and lucky to of noticed when I did. Since coming home Bella hasnt been right and with each day has got worse sadly. It took her 4 days of sleeping solidly (day and night) to get a little energy to stay awake during the day. We saw the vet 3 days post spay and she wasnt happy with how sleepy and uncomfortable she was looking and prescribed us another 3 days painkillers and to come back in 48 hours.
Symptoms at this point were-high temp (over 39) loss of weight, sleeping 23 hours a day and no appatite and little water being drunk, shivering and muscle spasms when resting-like restless legs.
Sunday I noticed her looking very stiff on walking and walking with her head hung low, she also was reluctant to eat out of her bowl off the floor so I began hand feeding her. She was eating science hills recovary wet food which is high in calories so should of perked her up--did nothing!
Monday took her back to vets and still no improvement and I showed the vet her lack of being able to bend down to pick something off the floor, and so the vet had a check of her neck and on moving her (gently I must add) bella yelped when her head was lifted up and turning left and right. so this left us with a new symptom and a whole host of unanswered questions.
The vets opinions were that she could of had a pre exsisting neck or back issue which normally bella masked by being awake and not using or moving if it hurt but under a general anesthetic with her muscles flaccid and being picked up by the vets they have caused something to go wrong be it a disc slipping or nerve trapping or something a little more sinister. Or it could be the infection is still on going-her temp is still above 39.c and hasnt come down for nearly 2 weeks now and as in humans when we have flu our muscles ache.
She also mentioned beagle neck pain and said we would need a CT scan to check her neck and spine for damage and in the mean time take her back home and see how she goes over 24 hours. I asked for a full blood test to show if an infection still present (high white blood cells count) check organ function and to rule out any other possibility. So that was taken and we get the results tonight.
On coming home I have been doing a little (lot) more research and reading up on beagle neck pain as its know SRM, she has 99% of the symptoms.
The problem may present with a variety of symptoms and is often misdiagnosed as Lyme disease, cervical/spinal injury, or massive bacterial infection. Cervical pain, shaking, hunched back stance, fever, lack of appetite, stiff neck, muscle spasms (especially in front legs and neck), lethargy, and unwillingness to move can be noted and theses symptoms may appear quickly.The dog maybe hesitant to bark and opening of the jaw seems to be painful.Some affected dogs may cry out in pain with the slightest attempt of movement.There are reports of blindness and limb paralysis associated with this syndrome.
Bella has all of the above and fits this description perfectly, she is also smack bang in the age bracket for this problem 4m-2 yrs. This morning on trying to move her off my bed she growled and showed her teeth when I merely placed my hands on her shoulders so she is def in pain.
The test for this is normally a lumber puncture by can be diagnosed purely through syptoms and treatment is antibiotics and/or steroids. Im going to ask the vet if we can try her on this treatment for a couple of days as all reported cases show a incredible improvement seen within 12 hours so we shall know if its working or not. Whether or not she will agree with me I dont know but what else can I do but try all avenues. If there is no improvement I need to accept maybe it is damage to spinal area and get a ct done.
I will update this after our appointment tonight at 730 and if anyone has any advice or is worried about their own dog (its not just beagles this can happen to) then please feel free to reply here. sorry its SO long
Sunday 18 July 2010
Poorly bug
Here we are 4 days post surgery and Bella is still unwell. I cant remember what I blogged last time so apologies if i am repeating myself at all.
Weds Bella had her spay op and came home at 6pm looking very sorry for herself and still under the influence of the anesthetic. We had a very tense night as she was to keep her cone on her neck and this prevented her from getting comfy and by 3am she was up and miserable and so I came down and sat with her and she just kept standing and sitting, standing and falling over and wriggling and wriggling. She finally fell asleep about 11AM!!
Thursday she perked up a little and took some boiled chicken again and seemed a little better with the cone on, however I noticed she'd yet to have a drink and I offered ice cubes but she refused these also. So I used the water which I had boiled the chicken in to give her a drink and thankfully she took some but only off the spoon by hand!! Spoilt madam!!
Thursday pm she picked up again about 90mins after her 24hrly painkiller and became very cuddly and wanting to jump up on the sofa with us. So after snuggling on the sofa until about 1am I put her collar back on (much to her disgust) and left her to sleep until 7am when I came down and she was laying on her bed looking fed up :(
She has then spent since Friday AM until today (sunday afternoon) asleep!! We took her for a check up saturday and mentioned how sleepy she has been and little she is eating and drinking and she still has a temp of 39.1 (should be 37) lost weight since weds and just generally looking fed up so vet increased painkillers to get us through the weekend and we go back monday evening for another check up.
As soon as we got her home she went to sleep on her bed and didnt move until that evening and only then to go to the loo and have some food and painkiller.
I got so worried that I took her up to bed with us and she slept most of the night ok until 5am when i woke to find her standing over my head!! She woke up about 9am and came down very reluctantly for a wee and some breakfast and meds and has been asleep ever since-its 1420pm now!
Ive rung the vet up as she was oncall this weekend and she has said to keep her resting at home and tomorrow when we go in she will take bloods and see if everything is ok. It could be an adhesion of scar tissue forming or it could be the infection is getting out of control and we are changing her painkillers and antibiotics as its been 6 days of them prior to surgery and no better for them!! Ive got to try and get her to eat as much as possible and keep drinking and just let her rest up.
So worried about her and just hope it will all be ok, will update tomorrow after appointment x
Weds Bella had her spay op and came home at 6pm looking very sorry for herself and still under the influence of the anesthetic. We had a very tense night as she was to keep her cone on her neck and this prevented her from getting comfy and by 3am she was up and miserable and so I came down and sat with her and she just kept standing and sitting, standing and falling over and wriggling and wriggling. She finally fell asleep about 11AM!!
Thursday she perked up a little and took some boiled chicken again and seemed a little better with the cone on, however I noticed she'd yet to have a drink and I offered ice cubes but she refused these also. So I used the water which I had boiled the chicken in to give her a drink and thankfully she took some but only off the spoon by hand!! Spoilt madam!!
Thursday pm she picked up again about 90mins after her 24hrly painkiller and became very cuddly and wanting to jump up on the sofa with us. So after snuggling on the sofa until about 1am I put her collar back on (much to her disgust) and left her to sleep until 7am when I came down and she was laying on her bed looking fed up :(
She has then spent since Friday AM until today (sunday afternoon) asleep!! We took her for a check up saturday and mentioned how sleepy she has been and little she is eating and drinking and she still has a temp of 39.1 (should be 37) lost weight since weds and just generally looking fed up so vet increased painkillers to get us through the weekend and we go back monday evening for another check up.
As soon as we got her home she went to sleep on her bed and didnt move until that evening and only then to go to the loo and have some food and painkiller.
I got so worried that I took her up to bed with us and she slept most of the night ok until 5am when i woke to find her standing over my head!! She woke up about 9am and came down very reluctantly for a wee and some breakfast and meds and has been asleep ever since-its 1420pm now!
Ive rung the vet up as she was oncall this weekend and she has said to keep her resting at home and tomorrow when we go in she will take bloods and see if everything is ok. It could be an adhesion of scar tissue forming or it could be the infection is getting out of control and we are changing her painkillers and antibiotics as its been 6 days of them prior to surgery and no better for them!! Ive got to try and get her to eat as much as possible and keep drinking and just let her rest up.
So worried about her and just hope it will all be ok, will update tomorrow after appointment x
Wednesday 14 July 2010
Surgery
My little girl had her operation to be spayed today and omg Ive been on tenderhooks all day waiting for the phone to ring after a very restless nights sleep and stressful journey to the vets (not from bella btw)
We dropped her off at 845am and she was all eager and excited to be going out in the car and as soon as we pulled in she was like ooook I know this place can we go now!! But she went in tail half wagging half between her legs (and promptly pee'd all over the floor *blush*) and was soon being stroked, fussed, kissed and generally adored by both the vet, Georgie and the vet nurse so she was in her element and being the nosey pupster that she is the chance at being lead out back this time proved enjoyable so she was quite happy to leave us teary eyed (me not hubby!) at the reception desk whilst she trotted off behind the scenes. Then began the agonising 6.5 hour wait to hear how the op went. We knew there was a higher risk with this op not only being done so soon after her season when blood vessels are still dialated making blood loss a high risk but also that we didnt know just how badly affected her womb and uterus was.
By 315 I couldnt stand it any longer and so I rang and heard those words she is ok. She is awake and sitting up in her cage howling for her mum to come get her :D Due to working hours me and the husband couldnt get to her before 5pm so it felt like forever from when I said goodbye in the morning until then. As I sat in the waiting room I could hear her little howls and my heart melted at that sound. Soon she was brought through wobbling and shakey legged out to reception wearing her buster collar and crashing into everything love her!!
She was still so drowsy whilst me and the vet chatted she fell asleep standing and began snoring! LOL! She also did a huge wee on the floor so we know her bladder is ok!!
Georgie explained that her uterus had been more enlarged than first thought and also "flexible" so easier to remove than normal? but def signs of start of something bad going on so just as well I noticed that strange discharge as she had no more of it either after that! Very lucky indeed.
Her tooth also came out during the op as for some reason her milk canine tooth never fell out and her adult one grew next to it causing food to be trapped and getting sore so she removed that for me and her belly looks very neat and clean.
Shes currently laying on the bed at my feet just watching me, Ive removed the collar as she was whining a lot and looking uncomfortable-I will add a piccy of her in her "cone of shame" for those of you who have seen the film UP will know what I mean :) but if she begins to lick her belly then im afraid it goes back on :,( so far I have told her to leave and she has done but im sure by tomorrow she will be a nightmare!!
Im just boiling her some chicken to see if I can get her to eat anything as its been 24 hours now since she last ate and that will be gentle and bland on her tummy.
So my little girl is home where she belongs and I can relax somewhat although im worried about tonight and im worried to go to work tomorrow but least she is home again :)
Night xx
We dropped her off at 845am and she was all eager and excited to be going out in the car and as soon as we pulled in she was like ooook I know this place can we go now!! But she went in tail half wagging half between her legs (and promptly pee'd all over the floor *blush*) and was soon being stroked, fussed, kissed and generally adored by both the vet, Georgie and the vet nurse so she was in her element and being the nosey pupster that she is the chance at being lead out back this time proved enjoyable so she was quite happy to leave us teary eyed (me not hubby!) at the reception desk whilst she trotted off behind the scenes. Then began the agonising 6.5 hour wait to hear how the op went. We knew there was a higher risk with this op not only being done so soon after her season when blood vessels are still dialated making blood loss a high risk but also that we didnt know just how badly affected her womb and uterus was.
By 315 I couldnt stand it any longer and so I rang and heard those words she is ok. She is awake and sitting up in her cage howling for her mum to come get her :D Due to working hours me and the husband couldnt get to her before 5pm so it felt like forever from when I said goodbye in the morning until then. As I sat in the waiting room I could hear her little howls and my heart melted at that sound. Soon she was brought through wobbling and shakey legged out to reception wearing her buster collar and crashing into everything love her!!
She was still so drowsy whilst me and the vet chatted she fell asleep standing and began snoring! LOL! She also did a huge wee on the floor so we know her bladder is ok!!
Georgie explained that her uterus had been more enlarged than first thought and also "flexible" so easier to remove than normal? but def signs of start of something bad going on so just as well I noticed that strange discharge as she had no more of it either after that! Very lucky indeed.
Her tooth also came out during the op as for some reason her milk canine tooth never fell out and her adult one grew next to it causing food to be trapped and getting sore so she removed that for me and her belly looks very neat and clean.
Shes currently laying on the bed at my feet just watching me, Ive removed the collar as she was whining a lot and looking uncomfortable-I will add a piccy of her in her "cone of shame" for those of you who have seen the film UP will know what I mean :) but if she begins to lick her belly then im afraid it goes back on :,( so far I have told her to leave and she has done but im sure by tomorrow she will be a nightmare!!
Im just boiling her some chicken to see if I can get her to eat anything as its been 24 hours now since she last ate and that will be gentle and bland on her tummy.
So my little girl is home where she belongs and I can relax somewhat although im worried about tonight and im worried to go to work tomorrow but least she is home again :)
Night xx
Saturday 10 July 2010
It could only happen to Bell!
Yes I am feeling oh so slightly jinxed shall we say!! My poor girl is once again suffering with a infection 'that end!!' and is on antibiotics to help keep the infection at bay until she is spayed on wednesday :(
I have begun this week to leave bella 'cageless' whilst I pop out and about and leave her to have free roam of the living room with her large dog bed against the cool wall and her cage open so she has a choice of where to sleep/lay/chew etc. And so far so good. First couple of days was only for 1-2 hours and she slept the entire time, then I stretched to 2-3 hours with either myself or my friend popping in on her to check all was ok (which it was)
Then yesterday I came home and found her hiding under the table looking very submissive and head down, tail between legs and I thought oh god whats she eaten! and she came over and started whining and whimpering and I knelt down for a cuddle and I noticed what i can only describe as egg white looking discharge coming from her lady bits and when I went to look a bit closer she began licking and growling at me to keep away-she has never growled at me like that before so I knew something was wrong :( She then became very restless pacing about and sleepy as well.
So back on the hot line to the vets who thankfully agreed not normal behaviour and agreed with my thinking of possible pyometra-more on this later and to bring her in.
Took her in and bless her was all eager and excited when we got there but as soon as the vets door opened and we walked in she was desperate to turn around and bolt!! The vet had to take her out back to take her temp with the help of 2 nurses and omg did she howl and howl :( temp was 39.3 when it should be 37c and cervix is opened when it should be closed so yes looks like start of something and lucky to be caught in time.
The only prob is the risk of serious infection setting in and being life threatening is high so she is being spayed on weds and vet thinks uterus will show signs of pyometra beginning :( Obviously spaying a bitch this close to her season isnt normally recommended-they like 3 months between seasons to spay so that all blood vessels have shrunk back to normal size and risk of bleeding out is less. So to do her 5 weeks after she started her season is half the reco time frame which worries me greatly but vet assures me leaving her for another 6 weeks is far riskier and she is performing the surgery and said she wouldnt do it if she wasnt confident. So I am a bag of nerves and just pray my little girl comes back home on weds :,( the alternative doesnt bare considering.
She is quite quiet today and has done nothing but sleep but she had an injection of anti biotics and needs 2x a day for the next 10 days so Im back to forcing tablets down her gullet lol! Its also incredibly hot here today 30c and so we are all flaked out tbh. Bell is currently legs a kimbo on the bed with thte fan blowing a cool breeze on her chops :D
Such a shame this has happened as Ive just come off 3 weeks of late nights and shes just out of season restrictions so we have been walking at 10/11pm for weeks and once she is spayed we will be on limited walks again *sigh* least she is turning into a couch potato and not destroying my house but i think training is keeping her busy.
Piccy for today are- Bella watching ants in the grass :D
Some information on Pyometra and its symptoms etc for anyone with a unspayed bitch to read and remember-knowing this may of saved bells life.
Clinical Signs and Diagnosis
Treatment
The success rate for treating open cervix pyometra is at best 75%.
The success rate for treating closed cervix pyometra is only 25%.
The rate of reoccurrence of pyometra at the next season in bitches which do recover is 75%. The severity is usually increased.
The chances of subsequent successful breeding are at best 50%.
Alternative Treatment?
I have begun this week to leave bella 'cageless' whilst I pop out and about and leave her to have free roam of the living room with her large dog bed against the cool wall and her cage open so she has a choice of where to sleep/lay/chew etc. And so far so good. First couple of days was only for 1-2 hours and she slept the entire time, then I stretched to 2-3 hours with either myself or my friend popping in on her to check all was ok (which it was)
Then yesterday I came home and found her hiding under the table looking very submissive and head down, tail between legs and I thought oh god whats she eaten! and she came over and started whining and whimpering and I knelt down for a cuddle and I noticed what i can only describe as egg white looking discharge coming from her lady bits and when I went to look a bit closer she began licking and growling at me to keep away-she has never growled at me like that before so I knew something was wrong :( She then became very restless pacing about and sleepy as well.
So back on the hot line to the vets who thankfully agreed not normal behaviour and agreed with my thinking of possible pyometra-more on this later and to bring her in.
Took her in and bless her was all eager and excited when we got there but as soon as the vets door opened and we walked in she was desperate to turn around and bolt!! The vet had to take her out back to take her temp with the help of 2 nurses and omg did she howl and howl :( temp was 39.3 when it should be 37c and cervix is opened when it should be closed so yes looks like start of something and lucky to be caught in time.
The only prob is the risk of serious infection setting in and being life threatening is high so she is being spayed on weds and vet thinks uterus will show signs of pyometra beginning :( Obviously spaying a bitch this close to her season isnt normally recommended-they like 3 months between seasons to spay so that all blood vessels have shrunk back to normal size and risk of bleeding out is less. So to do her 5 weeks after she started her season is half the reco time frame which worries me greatly but vet assures me leaving her for another 6 weeks is far riskier and she is performing the surgery and said she wouldnt do it if she wasnt confident. So I am a bag of nerves and just pray my little girl comes back home on weds :,( the alternative doesnt bare considering.
She is quite quiet today and has done nothing but sleep but she had an injection of anti biotics and needs 2x a day for the next 10 days so Im back to forcing tablets down her gullet lol! Its also incredibly hot here today 30c and so we are all flaked out tbh. Bell is currently legs a kimbo on the bed with thte fan blowing a cool breeze on her chops :D
Such a shame this has happened as Ive just come off 3 weeks of late nights and shes just out of season restrictions so we have been walking at 10/11pm for weeks and once she is spayed we will be on limited walks again *sigh* least she is turning into a couch potato and not destroying my house but i think training is keeping her busy.
Piccy for today are- Bella watching ants in the grass :D
Some information on Pyometra and its symptoms etc for anyone with a unspayed bitch to read and remember-knowing this may of saved bells life.In its simplest terms, pyometra is an infection of the uterus or womb. However in most cases pyometra infections are much more difficult to manage than routine infections.
Infection in the lining of the uterus is established as a result of hormonal changes. Following oestrus ("season", or "heat"), hormone levels remain elevated for 8-10 weeks to prepare the uterus for, and maintain, pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur the lining continues to increase in thickness until cysts form in the walls. This thickened cystic lining secretes fluids which are ideal for bacteria to thrive in. The wall of the uterus is also inhibited in its ability to contract and remove the cystic fluid. When infected by bacteria this fluid becomes pus. Sometimes the fluid becomes purrulent without bacteria being present.
This situation tends to become more intense as the bitch gets older, particularly if she has not been used for breeding. This explains why this condition usually effects older dogs. It can, however, occur in dogs of any age. Pyometra can be a possible complication of the use of hormonal treatments, for example when used as contraceptives, or to treat misalliance, and this is one of the main causes in younger bitches.
The cervix is the gateway to the uterus. It remains tightly closed except during a season or when giving birth. When it is open bacteria that are normally in the vagina can enter the uterus very easily. If the uterus is normal, the environment will not encourage bacterial survival, however when the uterine wall is thickened or cystic, perfect conditions exist for bacterial growth.
The typical timing for the disease is 1-2 months after your bitch has been in season.
This situation tends to become more intense as the bitch gets older, particularly if she has not been used for breeding. This explains why this condition usually effects older dogs. It can, however, occur in dogs of any age. Pyometra can be a possible complication of the use of hormonal treatments, for example when used as contraceptives, or to treat misalliance, and this is one of the main causes in younger bitches.
The cervix is the gateway to the uterus. It remains tightly closed except during a season or when giving birth. When it is open bacteria that are normally in the vagina can enter the uterus very easily. If the uterus is normal, the environment will not encourage bacterial survival, however when the uterine wall is thickened or cystic, perfect conditions exist for bacterial growth.
The typical timing for the disease is 1-2 months after your bitch has been in season.
Clinical Signs and DiagnosisThe clinical signs will depend on whether or not the cervix is open.
If open, pus will drain from the uterus through the vagina to the outside. It is often noted as a purrulent (pusy), bloody discharge on the skin and hair under the tail or on bedding and furniture where the dog has laid. It may or may not have an odour. Fever, loss of appetite and depression may or may not be present.
If the cervix is closed, pus that forms is not able to drain to the outside. It collects in the uterus, which will cause an apparent swelling of the abdomen. The bacteria and pus in the womb release toxins, which are absorbed into the blood. These bitches will become very ill rapidly. They are off food, very listless, depressed, may vomit and have diarrhoea and will be drinking very excessively. The toxins will affect the kidney function and may cause permanent kidney failure in the bitch if the condition is not treated quickly. A blood test may be taken to estimate the damage to the kidneys before and after surgery. Efforts are made in treatment to minimize the risk of kidney damage.
A female dog which is not spayed, drinking an increased amount of water, has had a recent season and is unwell is always suspected of having a pyometra. If confirmation is required, such as with a closed pyometra, blood tests will show signs of severe infection, an increased no of white cells in the blood and signs of kidney failure. These are present in all very serious infections however, so an x-ray is often used for confirmation. This also has the advantage of being done immediately at the surgery, and will show if your bitch has a uterus which is full of pus. If the cervix is open there may be minimal uterine enlargement and x-rays are more difficult to interpret, however in this case the discharge from the vulva is usually diagnostic.
If open, pus will drain from the uterus through the vagina to the outside. It is often noted as a purrulent (pusy), bloody discharge on the skin and hair under the tail or on bedding and furniture where the dog has laid. It may or may not have an odour. Fever, loss of appetite and depression may or may not be present.
If the cervix is closed, pus that forms is not able to drain to the outside. It collects in the uterus, which will cause an apparent swelling of the abdomen. The bacteria and pus in the womb release toxins, which are absorbed into the blood. These bitches will become very ill rapidly. They are off food, very listless, depressed, may vomit and have diarrhoea and will be drinking very excessively. The toxins will affect the kidney function and may cause permanent kidney failure in the bitch if the condition is not treated quickly. A blood test may be taken to estimate the damage to the kidneys before and after surgery. Efforts are made in treatment to minimize the risk of kidney damage.
A female dog which is not spayed, drinking an increased amount of water, has had a recent season and is unwell is always suspected of having a pyometra. If confirmation is required, such as with a closed pyometra, blood tests will show signs of severe infection, an increased no of white cells in the blood and signs of kidney failure. These are present in all very serious infections however, so an x-ray is often used for confirmation. This also has the advantage of being done immediately at the surgery, and will show if your bitch has a uterus which is full of pus. If the cervix is open there may be minimal uterine enlargement and x-rays are more difficult to interpret, however in this case the discharge from the vulva is usually diagnostic.
TreatmentAn IV drip is used to minimize the kidney damage and to help repair dehydration. An anaesthetic will not be attempted until the risks of anaesthetic complications are made as small as possible. Usually 6-12 hours of fluids will be administered before the anaesthetic and at least 24 hours after the surgery. This will depend on the amount of kidney damage and the recovery of your bitch. She may be on a drip for several days after the surgery.
A general anaesthetic and ovario-hysterectomy, removing the ovaries and uterus of the bitch, is the preferred treatment. Antibiotics will often be given for 1-2 weeks after the surgery.
Stitches will be in for 10 days and the dog must not lick them.
There is a medical treatment for pyometra, although it is very risky. Prostaglandins are a group of hormones that reduce the blood level of progesterone hormone, relax and open the cervix and contract the uterus to expel bacteria and pus. They are not always successful and have some serious limitations.
Prostaglandins cause side effects of restlessness, panting, vomiting, diarrhoea, salivation and acute abdominal pain. These occur within 15 mins of an injection and last for several hours. Successive treatments are always required 2-3 times daily.
There is no clinical improvement for at least 48 hours, so dogs, which are very ill at presentation at the veterinary surgery, have a very poor prognosis with this treatment. While waiting for the treatment to work, a bich can deteriorate to a level which makes surgical treatment very much less likly to succeed, and the chances of permanent damage from the toxaemia to be much more likely.
Because prostaglandins cause contraction the uterus, it is possible for the uterus to rupture and spill infection into the abdominal cavity. This is most likely to occur when the cervix is closed and is often fatal.
There are some statistics you should consider before choosing this treatment.
A general anaesthetic and ovario-hysterectomy, removing the ovaries and uterus of the bitch, is the preferred treatment. Antibiotics will often be given for 1-2 weeks after the surgery.
Stitches will be in for 10 days and the dog must not lick them.
There is a medical treatment for pyometra, although it is very risky. Prostaglandins are a group of hormones that reduce the blood level of progesterone hormone, relax and open the cervix and contract the uterus to expel bacteria and pus. They are not always successful and have some serious limitations.
Prostaglandins cause side effects of restlessness, panting, vomiting, diarrhoea, salivation and acute abdominal pain. These occur within 15 mins of an injection and last for several hours. Successive treatments are always required 2-3 times daily.
There is no clinical improvement for at least 48 hours, so dogs, which are very ill at presentation at the veterinary surgery, have a very poor prognosis with this treatment. While waiting for the treatment to work, a bich can deteriorate to a level which makes surgical treatment very much less likly to succeed, and the chances of permanent damage from the toxaemia to be much more likely.
Because prostaglandins cause contraction the uterus, it is possible for the uterus to rupture and spill infection into the abdominal cavity. This is most likely to occur when the cervix is closed and is often fatal.
There are some statistics you should consider before choosing this treatment.
The success rate for treating open cervix pyometra is at best 75%.
The success rate for treating closed cervix pyometra is only 25%.
The rate of reoccurrence of pyometra at the next season in bitches which do recover is 75%. The severity is usually increased.
The chances of subsequent successful breeding are at best 50%.
For all of the above reasons we strongly advise that the best course of action for a pyometra (open or closed) is ovariohysterectomy as soon as surgical conditions are optimal for the bitch's survival.
Alternative Treatment?The chance of successful treatment without surgical or prostaglandin treatment is exceptionally low. If treatment is not given quickly the toxic effects from the bacteria will be fatal. If the cervix is closed, it is also possible for the uterus to rupture and spill the infection into the abdominal cavity causing a fatal peritonitis.
Spayed bitches do not get Pyometra. If you do not intend to breed from a bitch we strongly recommend that she is spayed when young and fit, and when surgical risks to her are minimal.
From an Original Text by Jenny King
Spayed bitches do not get Pyometra. If you do not intend to breed from a bitch we strongly recommend that she is spayed when young and fit, and when surgical risks to her are minimal.
From an Original Text by Jenny King
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