We'd Love to See Your Dog in for a Routine Spay - Not for an Emergency Spay

Pyometra is a life-threatening uterine infection in unspayed female dogs. Learn the signs, risks, and how routine spay surgery can prevent this emergency.

Author: Emi Kooyman | Founder

At least once a week, we get a phone call for an emergency spay due to pyometra.  The owners are frantic, the pet is ill, and they had no idea that unspayed females were at risk for developing this fatal condition.  The majority of owners state that if they knew that spaying their dog would prevent this emergency, they would have done it long ago.

Pyometra is an infection of the Uterus.

Pathogenesis of Pyometra

With each heat cycle, a female dog’s progesterone level increases, which causes inflammation to the uterine lining.  These changes are progressive and irreversible.  Coupled with the bacterial component that often ascends into the uterus when the cervix is open during the heat cycle, you have the perfect recipe for a pyometra!  

Pyometra affects 20-25% of intact female dogs by 10 years of age.  

Here is the typical scenario

An intact female has a heat cycle and 1-4 months later, the owner notices that she is drinking a lot of water, urinating more than usual, lethargic, not eating well, vomiting, and/or having vaginal discharge.  They go to their vet who runs tests and they are diagnosed with pyometra.  They are usually prescribed antibiotics as a “bandaid” but pyometra does not resolve on its own.  Surgery followed by medical therapy is usually the only option.  Prognosis for survival is good if uterine rupture is avoided, however this prognosis becomes poor if uterine rupture is present. They are told that this is an emergency and that spay surgery must be done asap. 

Herein lies the problem:  

Most people do not have hundreds, often times thousands, of dollars at their disposal for an emergency surgery.  

Lessons from a Veterinary Practice News Editor’s Experience

In a recent editorial in Veterinary Practice News, Managing Editor Therese M. Castillo shared a deeply personal account that resonated with veterinary professionals and pet owners alike. Despite her extensive knowledge and experience in the field, she found herself facing an emergency when her beloved dog, Oreo, developed open pyometra on her 14th birthday.

Oreo had always been a healthy, cherished companion. Yet, almost overnight, she became lethargic, started drinking excessively, and developed a concerning discharge. The diagnosis, pyometra, was both shocking and frightening. Castillo describes the ordeal: the rush to the clinic, the agonizing wait during a five-hour surgery, and the overwhelming fear of losing her pet. Even with her background, the reality of seeing her own dog fight for her life brought home the true gravity of the risks associated with leaving a pet intact.

The experience was not only traumatic but also eye-opening. Castillo reflected on how many pet owners, even those with considerable knowledge, may not fully grasp the severity of pyometra until it happens to them. Her story is a powerful reminder that this disease is real, unpredictable, and can happen to anyone.

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Spay and neuter surgeries are among the most common veterinary procedures performed on pets, yet misinformation and myths still abound. Read our article: Spaying and Neutering Myths: Debunked and get clarity on the facts. 

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Our Perspective: Prevention is the Best Medicine

At Spay Neuter Vets, we see cases similar to Castillo’s all too often.  What could have been prevented with a routine spay appointment has suddenly become a very expensive, scary, emergency with a guarded outcome.  This is why we are so passionate about prevention. Spaying is not just about population control, it’s about protecting your pet from a painful, life-threatening emergency that is entirely preventable. Elective spay surgery is far safer, less stressful, and more cost-effective than emergency surgery for pyometra. It also gives pet owners peace of mind, knowing they’ve taken a crucial step to safeguard their companion’s health.  A routine spay at our clinic costs $250 for a dog under 25#.  Emergency pyometra spays start at $600.  For the sake of your pet and your wallet, we would much rather see you when the spay is not an emergency.

If you have questions or want to learn more about spaying, please reach out to our team at Spay Neuter Vets. Together, we can help ensure your pets live long, healthy, and happy lives, free from the dangers of pyometra.

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