Pyometra in cats: causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention

Pyometra in cats is an inflammation of the uterus, accompanied by suppuration. This is a very dangerous disease, without treatment it can lead to blood poisoning and death of the cat. Pathology equally affected and parous and nulliparous animals. Purulent inflammation develops very quickly, sometimes in just a few hours or days. The uterus is overwhelmed with exudate, and the condition of the pet deteriorates. This can lead to peritonitis and death of the animal. So sick pet needs emergency veterinary care.

Cause of disease

The Disease is caused by bacteria in the reproductive tract, and also due to the hormonal disturbances. The following causes of pyometra in cats:

1. Empty heat. If long time periods of estrus in the cat are without binding, then over time this leads to serious hormonal imbalance. So if the owners don't plan on breeding the pet, the animal is better to sterilize.
2. The use of the tablets from heat. Often pet owners give the cat hormones, so she didn't scream and didn't ask the cat. However, the constant use of such drugs is extremely harmful. This can cause failure in work of sexual glands. In the uterus occur cystic changes and subsequent pyometra.
3. Hypothermia during estrus. In this period, the body of the cat is vulnerable to all the adverse effects. Because of declining immunity, the animal becomes susceptible to infection.
4. Failure of hygiene during childbirth. If a cat gives birth to cubs in unsanitary conditions, the infection can easily penetrate into the uterus.
5. Knit with untested cat. The cat may get an infection during mating. This often occurs when a cat is sick prostatitis or other genitourinary infections. Especially dangerous is the uncontrolled mating with the creatures.
6. Other infections of the genitourinary system. Cystitis, vaginitis or cervicitis bacteria can get into the uterus from the other organs.
7. Chlamydia. When the disease chlamydia can get from the bloodstream to the uterus.

If the cat is spayed

There Is a pyometra in spayed cats? If the animal is removed and the ovaries and uterus, the disease can be completely excluded. However, there are cases where sterilization is carried out poorly. Some veterinarians cats remove only the ovaries and leave the uterus. Over time, this on reduces. In such cases, the development of pyometra is possible. Therefore, when sterilization is very important to remove all reproductive organs.

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Form of pathology

Pyometra in cats occurs in two forms: open and closed. In the first case the pus comes out through the cervical canal. Such kind of inflammation can be cured by conservative methods only in the initial stage. Usually surgery is recommended.

In closed form pus accumulates within the cavity of the uterus. Content can't be released, as the cervical canal is closed. This is a more severe form of the disease, which is only surgical treatment.

Signs of an open form

The Main symptom of pyometra in cats in an open form are profuse discharge from the loop. They look like pus or pinkish brown color and have an unpleasant odor. On the bed there are traces of excretions of a sick animal. The fur under the tail becomes dirty and matted, the cat is constantly licking the area of the loop.

Pyometra in cats is accompanied by an increase in body temperature at 1 to 1.5 degrees. Sick animal eats very little, he's thirsty. Marked weakness and apathy. Because of the pain the cat cries plaintively and not tolerate even the slightest touch to the abdomen. May cause diarrhea and frequent urination.

Symptoms of a closed shape

In closed form symptoms of pyometra in cats occur heavier. The pus may not come out of the uterus, because the cervical canal is closed. The volume of fluid may reach 1 liter. The contents pushing against the walls of the uterus, causing the cat great pain in the abdomen. The stomach is abruptly enlarged and swollen.

The body Temperature of the animal rises to +41 degrees. Discharge from the loop there. As with the open form there is loss of appetite, thirst, diarrhea, and increased diuresis. The cat health is rapidly deteriorating because of increasing intoxication. The animal becomes indifferent and apathetic, not responding to external stimuli, breathing heavily.

Possible complications

Dangerous complication of pyometra in cats is an inflammation of the peritoneum - peritonitis. This effect is observed in the closed form of the disease. In the uterus accumulates a large amount of pus. Exudate accumulates and the body wall burst under the pressure. The pus gets into the abdominal cavity develop severe inflammation, which often ends with the death of a pet. This complication is more frequently noted in young cats. At a young age of the uterus have an increased fragility. Peritonitis also occurs in older animals suffering from concomitant chronic diseases.

Diagnostics

The Main method of diagnosis of pyometra in cats is an abdominal ultrasound. This studyshows the presence of purulent content, and cystic changes in the uterus. The diseased organ is dramatically increased in size.

Additionally appointed General blood test. The increase in leukocyte count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate indicates an inflammatory reaction. In addition, carried out the biochemical analysis. In the blood of sick cats an increased level of urea and proteins.

Conservative treatment

In the treatment of pyometra in cats veterinarians highly recommend emergency surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries. However, if the animal involved in the breeding, the owners do not always agree on surgery. In this case, a conservative treatment. But it is effective only at the initial stages of the disease and with the open form of the disease.

To remove pus the animal administered the drug "Oxytocin". It promotes uterine contractions and removal of exudate. Then prescribe a course of antibiotics "Gentamicin", "Ceftriaxone", "Tilana". They are administered to the animal intramuscularly. To strengthen protective forces of an organism shows the reception of immunomodulators: "Gamavit", "Ribotan", "Maximina".

When conservative treatment is impossible to give a definite positive prognosis. The use of drugs does not always help to get rid of the disease. In most cases, the pathology has to be treated surgically.

Surgical treatment

Urgent sterilization is the most radical method of treatment of pyometra in cats. The operation always gives a favorable prognosis. In closed form of the disease surgical intervention is the only way to save the animal's life.

Under General anesthesia, the cat removes the uterus with purulent cavity and ovaries. Currently there is an opportunity to carry out this operation laparoscopically with minimal trauma.

In the postoperative period prescribed antibiotics. This is to prevent bacterial complications.

Caring for a cat after surgery

For the first time after the surgery the animal needs careful care. On the neck of a cat wearing a special collar to prevent biting or licking the stitches.

The Animal can have a bad after surgery. Feed the cat with a soft gentle food. Recommended dietary ready pates and soup with finely chopped chicken meat. Access the animal should always be a fresh drink.

You Need every day to monitor the condition of stitches. If there is inflammation, the urgent need to show the animal to the veterinarian.

With proper care, the health of the pet is fully restored within 10 days after the operation.

Prevention

The Timely sterilization of the animal is the most reliable way to prevent pyometra in cats. This simple surgery is usually easily tolerated by Pets. It helps to avoid many health problems.

Avoid the use of drugs from the heat. Drugs such as "Contresens", "Stop sex" and "Sex barrier" that contain hormones. Their constant intake of harmful to the animal and may cause pyometra. During estrus safer to give your pet sedatives. However, the blank heat can also cause disease, so the best option is sterilization.

If the cat is involved in breeding, and sterilization is not possible, then you must go for regular checkups at the vet. Prophylactic specialist may prescribe a preventive course of antibacterial and immunomodulatory therapy. Before mating, you must check the cat for the presence of urinary infections and prostatitis. These measures will help to prevent severe and dangerous illness.