A retrospective study of suspected pyometra causing systemic illness in 348 dogs

Abstract

The study is a retrospective review for investigate the mortality rate, risk factors for death, and accompanying costs of treatment due to suspected pyometra in dogs from a single vet teaching hospital in Thailand during the year 2016 to 2018. There were 348 dogs with fluid filled in uterine meanwhile had systematically ill during the period of the study. Three dogs were died prior to surgery. The prevalence of urgent ovariohysterectomy was 345 cases from 35,138 of canine outpatients (0.98%). Mongrel dogs were most undergoing surgery followed by Poodles and Shih Tzus. The median age was seven years (range of 11 months to 16 years). A major risk factor for fluid filled in uterine was the use of the injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate as a contraceptive (27.20 %). The post-operative mortality rate was 9.85 % (34/345 dogs). After surgery, nine dogs were died within 12 hours, seven dogs were died between 12 hours to seven days, three dogs were died between seven days to 12 days, five dogs were died at more than 14 days, and ten dogs had unclear death time. The main contributing mortality factor was uterine rupture (adjusted OR 7.38 (95% CI =2.73,19.93)). The cost of hospital treatment per case ranged between 3,000 to 29,815 Thai baht. Ovariohysterectomy in systemically ill dog due to suspected of pyometra can be avoid by schedule spay before seven-year-old. Peri-operative complications such as pancreatitis and renal injuries can occur and cause death. Post-operative monitoring not less than 2 weeks is recommended.