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My dog's vaginal discharge stopped. Is it metritis or pyometra?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog was having a brown discharge from her vagina from many days but I thought she was pregnant so it was normal but took her to vet yesterday and he told she is not pregnant and is suffering from metritis and gave antibiotic and said to wait for 5 days and if she doesn't improve then it will be pyometra.today in morning discharge has stopped.so I don't understand is it metritis or pyometra?also metritis occurs after pregnancy so is my baby suffering from closed pyometra now or metritis?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on July 13th, 2018

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

How old is your dog? As dogs age there are chronic changes to the uterine lining, it becomes thickened and sometimes even cystic. Metritis just means inflammation of the uterine lining and there are many causes most of which have nothing to do with pregnancy. If she had purulent discharge from her vulva that indicates an infection. A pyometra means infection (puss) in the uterus. If she responded to antibiotics I would assume she has a pyometra. My best advice is to have her spayed. It is the best thing for your dog. If she had discharge then the pyometra is open. If there was no discharge it is considered closed.

I wish you the best!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on August 22nd, 2017
I'm sorry Bell is having this issue.

In my opinion she is too young to be bred. A large breed dog (really any dog for that matter) should not be bred until they are at least 18 months old, 24 months would be better. So, if I were you, I would stop trying to breed her until she is a bit older.

To answer your specific question, the chance of her getting pregnant or staying pregnant with a uterine infection is pretty much zero. How do you know she has pyometra? It is extremely uncommon for a young dog like her to get a pyometra. If she has vaginal discharge it could just be vaginitis and not a pyometra.

If she hasn't been seen by a vet for this condition then she needs to be. Vaginitis does not necessarily need treatment but a pyometra does. The infection can scar the uterus and cause all kinds of issues to the point where the uterus may need to be removed. If you are wanting to breed her in the future the infection needs to be cleared ASAP. You should not just give any old antibiotics you have laying around - she needs to have antibiotics prescribed for her for this condition. Not all antibiotics treat all infections. The first step is determining if it is vaginitis or pyometra.

I hope this helps. If you have more questions please feel free to post again. Best wishes.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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