Pyometra. The Challenge of Finding a Happy Ending with this Preventable Disease. WARNING GRAPHIC SURGERY PHOTOS!

Tell me that you could look into those eyes and not try to save her?

The story is so consistently the same that I almost gag repeating it.

A middle aged dog walks into the clinic with the presenting complaint of  "not eating and lethargic."

Patient has not been to the vet in years and the dog is not spayed.

That's all I need to know....
The diagnosis is always the same;

This dog has a uterine infection and she is dying of internal infection. She has a pyometra.

She needs;

• Surgery (usually) immediately.
• iv fluids,
• iv antibiotics,
• about a day in the hospital, and
• antibiotics for about 2 weeks after surgery.

The problem is always two-fold. The dog is dying in front of you and the client hasn't had their pet spayed for a reason; they never could afford to.

So, now their $250 spay is a $1,000 (plus) emergency surgery.

Me and Pheonix just before surgery.

And so it was with Pheonix.

I dare not even think how many dogs die simply because their owners couldn't afford, or didn't realize the importance of spaying, and then felt compelled to euthanize because the cost to treat was too great.

An ultrasound to confirm our suspicions.. a distended angry uterus takes center stage.

Pheonix should have had her pyometra surgery the evening that she  presented to us. She should have gone to the emergency clinic nearby and had the festering infection that used to be her reproductive system removed. The estimate for her surgery there was over $2,000. A $200 spay was now prived at a $2,000 life or death investment.

Pheonix returned the next morning and had what I call a "bare bones last ditch" effort to eradicate her of the uterus she never needed and now was rebelling against her.

All of the nasty discharge of an infected uterus.
It is far better for the pet to be expelling the infection than holding it within the uterus.

Diagnostics are nice. They provide answers to questions and little fearful voices in veterinarians heads. They are also considered "standard of care." Our nice politically correct way of saying "in the best interest of our patient they should be done." Another line item on an invoice that inflates a clients bill. There are many line items in this disease, hence, the hefty price tag. If Pheonix's owners couldn't afford the $200 spay, they definitely can't afford the $2,000 pyo surgery.

A uterus of gargantuan proportions. A mad, angry, nest of puss and fluid that feels like rotten heavy fermenting sausage.

Finished with Pheonix's surgery. It took me about two hours to remove her infected uterus. She had minimal blood loss and did very well under anesthesia. 

Post-op.
Can you see how much thinner she looks from the photo of her above standing up?

One long incision is required to get a 4 pound uterus out of the abdomen.

My video plea about this disease;

You aren't ever out of the woods until the endotracheal tube comes out, they open their eyes, and they walk home.

Waking up.

I have some very strong feelings about this disease.

Veterinarians tend to feel angry that clients get themselves into this dilemma. We recommend spaying at 6 months old to avoid this disease from happening.
Here are some of the reasons clients don't spay their dogs;

• it was too costly to spay her, 
• I forgot to do it, 
• time got away from me, 
• I was always planning on breeding  her, 
• etc.

Clients find themselves at the ER or vets office with a quick diagnosis and an expensive treatment plan. This disease has no time to wait for the scrambling of finding funds amongst friends.

Pheonix got help from us because we have two things in place;

1. The Jarrettsville Veterinary Center Good Samaritan Fund.
2. Vet Billing Solutions.

I have a back up plan for my back up plans. For those clients who do not have pet insurance, or a pet savings plan in place (my favorite option), there is Care Credit. Most people don't have insurance (like 95% of our clients), most don't have pet emergency funds (like 80%), and most cannot qualify for Care Credit (like 80%). That leaves the huge majority of clients with a dying dog, a huge vet bill, and no options.

I know this. I am prepared for this. I have the most generous friends and clients in the world. If I ask for help they help. It is a point of pride I hold dearest to my own abilities to help a pet in need. We do not turn away a pet in need I can only say this and do this because I have help.

I also have Vet Billing. Every client who is denied Care Credit is sent through Vet Billing. They provide us with third party billing for the clinic. No longer do I have to act like the bank, the creditor and the bitter nag begging for reimbursement months after I have bailed our butt out of a disaster. 

Two days after her surgery Pheonix still refused to eat. I took a trip to the grocery store to buy junk food incentives. The rotisserie chicken was the lure that got her eating. After a post-op patient eats they get the green light to go home.

This is Pheonix at her two week post-op re-check.

Yeah, I can't say no to those eyes.

She is doing great!

Her incision looks perfect!

There are happy endings if you work a little harder than  you have to, and care a little more than you are expected to. Pheonix's bill was about $1400 when she left us. About $1000 for her surgery alone. She spent three days in the hospital (at her families request) and is expected to have a full recovery.

If your dog has is diagnosed with this disease please know this:

1. It is treatable. I will know vets have to hedge and be cautious, but trying might save your dog, and giving up will not.
2. Discuss every single possible option to getting your pet the emergency surgery they need. Cut every corner, decline every elective and make it happen. Max your credit card, get a cash loan, pawn your stuff, go to GoFundMe.com, PetChance.org, your faily, friends, VetBilling is through your vet (click here to see which hospitals participate), CareCredit.com, your vet, every vet in the state, whoever, where ever, and find a vet who will help you. 

I have unrealistic expectations. I will admit it. But, I will not let a treatable dog be denied care based on cost. It is not a widely held opinion. I am not alone with this opinion in this profession, but I would rather be ostracized by my peers than neglect my purpose. If you were provided the means and guidance to help I believe it is your responsibility to do so.

I saw a Facebook post the other day from a very well respected veterinarian and friend who posted, "I hate it when a dog has to be euthanized over such a preventable disease." I don't know the particulars of the case, but I don't ever agree with the statement, "has to be euthanized." Why is there a "has to be?" because we are the all-knowing and there is no chance? There is ALWAYS a chance! 

Please do not euthanize over this disease. 

Get your pet help!

If you have a pet question please visit the kind knowledgeable folks at Pawbly.com. Pawbly is free to use and open to anyone who cares about helping animals.

If you would like to visit us at the clinic please stop by Jarrettsville Vet in Jarrettsville, Maryland.

If you want to see my patients, share my vet stories, and chat via another platform I am @FreePetAdvice on Twitter.

Related Blogs;
Vet Billing Solutions  blog.

Working and Living in the Land of Liability.

How to Get the Best Deal at the Pet ER.