The Dangers of Pyometra In Active Female Cats
What is pyometra?
Pyometra is an infection of the womb in female cats that have not been spayed. Pyometra typically occurs within 2-8 weeks from your female cat’s last call (heat).
How does a Pyometra in Cats happen?
If the cervix is open or relaxed, bacteria that are normally found in the vagina can enter the uterus easily. If the uterus is normal, the uterine environment is immune to bacterial survival; however, when the uterine wall is thickened, perfect conditions exist for bacterial growth. When these conditions exist, the muscles cannot contract properly, meaning that bacteria is able to enter the uterus easily. If bacteria successfully enters the uterus and is able to grow, the womb will fill with puss, this is of course very dangerous.
What are the signs and symptoms of a Pyometra in my cat?
There are two types of Pyometra, open and closed.
If a pyo is open, a vaginal discharge will be obvious, your girl may excessively wash her lady parts, and you may also notice an unusual smell (a smell is not always present). Her tummy may also be large where the puss has distended the uterus, thus causing the abdomen to expand. Bacteria within the cats system can affect vital organs such as the kidneys and cause severe elevated white blood cells.
If the pyo is closed, there are usually no symptoms. Symptoms will only appear very late on in it’s prognosis, which often means it is too late to treat successfully. A closed pyo remains inside the cat with nowhere to drain. This means that the bacteria enters the cats system, and the toxins will also prevent the kidneys from working properly. The uterus continues to fill with puss. Eventually this could rupture, causing the poisonous puss to enter the cats blood stream and other organs. Cats with closed pyo, become extremely ill, very quickly, and should be treated as a medical emergency.
how is pyometra treated for cats?
Treatment is possible in an open pyo, and if caught early, the vet may do an emergency hysterectomy. However, if the cats temperature is too high, or the bloods are unstable, an antibiotic course and or alizin may be prescribed. Following the treatment, a routine spay will then be performed.
In a closed pyometra, emergency surgery is the only option. Sadly, only a small percentage of cats with a closed pyo survive.
Pyometra inside a female cat. Source - Ragdoll Rescue
is pyometra in cats dangerous?
Yes, pyometra is extremely dangerous and can sadly result in death. Pyo is very real, it’s not a scare tactic that people will tell you, so you don’t have “just the one litter” its real and it’s scary, it’s also a risk of losing your girl.
The photo above is of a rescue female, she came to Ragdoll Rescue with 5 other girls, following the passing of their owner. All the girls were entire. She went in for routine spay and the pyo was found, it was closed. They had entered the female through the flank and then had to do a further incision midline. This girl was very lucky, had she not have gone in for surgery when she did, she would have died. The vet explained that it was one of the worst she had seen.
How do I prevent pyometra with my female cat?
Unless cats are bought by registered breeders who have a knowledge of such things, female cats need to be spayed. One litter is not worth losing your girl. Please ensure your female is spayed as early as possible before they begin to call. Speak to your breeder for any advice; it is dangerous to let your female cat call with no experience of breeding.
A Reynolds - pedigree breeder