This is our baby and traveling companion, Angie. She is five years old. We had seriously considered breeding her. Had a list of people wanting pups. When she developed allergies at about a year and a half or two years of age, our vet asked why we would want to pass that tendency on. So, we put off the decision until we were sure what we wanted to do and soon we were selling the house and were on the road, full time RVing.
About two years ago, a vet we saw for her yearly checkup in SC educated us on pyometra, or uterine infection. That is where bacteria migrates into the uterus during a heat cycle when the cervix is open, and after the heat has ended the cervix closes and bacteria is trapped inside. The problem is that an infected uterus can rupture, letting all that yucky stuff loose into the abdomen, and it can become suddenly fatal. That vet told us that if we weren’t going to breed her, we should seriously consider spaying.
Well we still put off that decision and luckily I have been pretty vigilant for signs. Angie really hadn’t been right since her last heat a month ago. She was lethargic, drinking more water and seemed to have a fever.
If a dog may have a pyometra, or uterine infection… act fast. When we landed in Greensboro, NC yesterday, I asked at the front desk of the RV park who they might recommend and was given information for Southeast Community Animal Hospital here in Greensboro. They took me right away. When I met with Dr. Kristen T. Greeson, I went over my list of symptoms and what I considered possibilities. I brought Angie’s full health history. Dr. Greeson did some bloodwork and gathered information. She narrowed it down to a couple possibilities and because a uterine infection was one of them, she called in Dr. Scotton who did an ultrasound right there. Dr. David Scotton called me in the back and showed me what looked like a badly inflamed uterus. She was diagnosed within an hour and a half of our arrival, then on IV fluids and antibiotics immediately and then began emergency surgery about 2 or 3 hours after we walked in the door. Believe me, I was in shock and this took alot of trust in some seemingly good doctors who I had never met. Surgery confirmed the diagnosis of pyometra and Dr. Scotton did a stellar job.
The whole staff at Southeast Community Animal Hospital was caring, professional and incredibly capable. I was both reassured and impressed with the way they handled Angie from the first hello all the way through to her successful discharge.
Angie has made lots of friends all over the country and we were grateful to receive their prayers and support all through this. We treasure the wonderful people in our lives and feel so rich to have them.
We brought her home tonight and she immediately laid in her spot and gave a big sigh.
She seemed to be in no pain, just been through alot.
She perked up at some chicken and that seemed to make her feel more normal.
She was so happy to be eating that she almost forgot she had an owwie.
She soon became more relaxed and comfortable and feel into a restful sleep. (this was 24 hours after surgery)
I just really want to emphasize to anyone with a young unaltered female dog, if you’re not going to breed, spay. Don’t put it off. You might not be able to catch a pyometra in tie and that can be fatal.
Some information on Pyometra can be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyometra
http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/reproductive/c_multi_pyometra_hyperplasia#.UCSQ56N_XtM
Thank you to everyone at Southeast Community Animal Hospital for saving Angie’s life!!
Their website is: www.secah.com
Southeast Community Animal Hospital
3733 Southeast School Road
Greensboro, NC 27406
336-674-1002
http://www.secah.com