Pyometra in old, sick dog: Is surgery too risky? Any other options?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Taffy. Unfortunately, surgery is the only ways to cure her if this condition. The sooner it is performed, the better as she will be less debilitated. If her veterinarian will not perform the surgery due to the risk, then you will need to seek specialist care. Otherwise you will need to discuss euthanasia with her veterinarian if she is suffering. I am sorry about her situation and hope this information helps.

I'm sorry Chutki has a pyometra. She won't get her another heat while having a pyometra. Unfortunately medical treatment of a pyometra frequently does not work, and surgery is the best option for her. It sounds like the treatment isn't working if she still has a discharge 15 days later, and this infection likely will get worse and can kill her if not treated correctly. I would strongly recommend getting her the surgery. Best of luck.

Surgery is in most of the cases the resolutive treatment and, if performed by an expert surgeon, it does not last more than 30 minutes, especially in small dogs. Medical treatment rarely is very effective. I would recommend to discuss with your veterinarian pros and cons of the anesthesia. Unfortunately holistic treatment won't be effective at this stage and for this type of disease.

Antibiotics can be used, but they don't always cure a pyometra. The best treatment is surgery. If Narly cannot have surgery and she has cancer, it may be best to let her go peacefully. Pyometras make the dog extremely sick, and you do not want her to suffer if she cannot have surgery. There is no guarantee antibiotics will even help. I would speak to her vet about possibly letting her go if she can't have surgery. I am sorry.

If she has a uterine infection, she needs to have surgery to have the uterus removed. Without doing so, the infection could be fatal. Surgery does have risks, but the sooner she has surgery (before she starts getting more sick) the stronger she will be to get through surgery and recovery. Thank you fro asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

First off, I'm sorry Maggie has a pyometra! Yes, you are correct that spaying her is the correct way to deal with it, and I do recommend having it done right away. The longer she has the pyometra, the sicker she will become, which will make the surgery more risky. Leaving it untreated is fatal, and in my opinion, it's better to have the surgery done and try to save her life even though you do take the chance she may not survive the surgery. I have seen numerous dogs and cats survive the surgery. One option you have is to euthanize her instead of doing the surgery. This will put her out of her suffering from the pyrometra, but it does mean you lose Maggie for sure. In same cases, such as with an open pyometra, medical treatment with antibiotics can be attempted, but that that often isn't successful and cannot be done with a closed pyometra. Only your vet can determine if medical treatment is an option for her. I would get her into a vet immediately, as the longer you delay treatment, the worse the prognosis is for her. You can discuss the options with the vet, and make the best choice for her and you. Best of luck!

Hi there and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Precautionary measures include getting a physical exam and blood sample taken prior to surgery to make sure there are no underlying health issues that would compromise her ability to make through surgery or handle the anesthetic given during surgery. During surgery, her blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation should be monitored. IV fluids are typically given during surgery to help maintain blood pressure and provide hydration. After surgery, her incision may be iced every 2-3 hours and she may be given antibiotics and anti inflammatory medications. Her incision should be check within 24 hours after the surgery to ensure there is no bleeding occurring or fluid building underneath the incision. A recheck exam should be conducted within 10-14 days after surgery. I hope this helps!