I am sure many of you remember Bob Barker announcing at the end of every Price Is Right show, to 'have your dog spayed and neutered'. Sound advise and yet many do not heed this advise. Millions of dogs and cats are euthanized annually for the lack of a home. Every day there are more puppies and kittens being born than there are people available to adopt them. While too many dogs/cats and not enough people is certainly a good reason for spaying/neutering, as a veterinarian, I can list several other very good medical reasons for having your pet spayed/neutered. Today's case of the day makes it very clear.
Today we were visited by a 25 pound, 13 year old blue heeler mix female with a history of sudden lethargy, not eating. It was noted by the technician during weighing, the old girl had a vaginal discharge. Physical examination found the dog with a fever of 104 degrees (normal 101-102), pale mucous membranes, painful and distended abdomen, and greenish vaginal discharge with a foul odor. Owner believed this dog had been spayed and had never noticed her in heat. Due to the nature of the discharge and experience, we were certain this girl had dead puppies inside her. Another potential diagnosis could have been a pyometra (uterine infection) however the color of the discharge is usually a more yellowish color.
Treatment in this case was emergency surgery spay her and remove the dead puppies. Due to her toxic/septic condition, I.V. fluids and antibiotics were needed prior to surgery. Below is a picture of the condition of her uterus.
Currently our patient is resting quietly and being maintained on fluids and I.V. antibiotics. It will be a couple of days of recovery and she should go home healthy.
Not only could this have been prevented by spaying, understand that as a female dog ages, her risk of uterine infection increases. The dollars spent on prevention will save you dollars in having to treat something like this later, and certainly is much easier on your pet.
