Emergency Pyometra Surgery for Stella at Animal Trust Pet A&E in Teesside

Stella, a 7-year-old Poodle cross, was her usual happy self. She’d been out for her walk and enjoyed her dinner. But within 24 hours, everything changed. She stopped eating, became lethargic, and was unsteady on her feet. Worried about how quickly she’d deteriorated, her owner brought her straight to Animal Trust Vets Teesside Pet A&E. Our team admitted Stella right away, carried out a full examination and ran tests to find the cause. 

Stella was diagnosed with pyometra, a serious and potentially life-threatening infection of the womb (uterus). It typically affects unspayed female dogs and can develop quickly, often a few weeks after a season. The infection causes the uterus to fill with pus, making dogs very unwell, and without prompt treatment, it can be fatal. 

Stella needed emergency surgery to remove the infected uterus, and thanks to quick action from her owner and our team, she was able to go home the very next day. Now, Stella is recovering well and getting back to her normal self, exactly what we love to see.

If your dog ever seems suddenly unwell or ‘just not right’, trust your instincts and get them checked as soon as possible. It can make all the difference. 

Pyometra Treatment

Pyometra is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus that affects unspayed female dogs, typically occurring a few weeks after a heat cycle. It develops when hormonal changes allow bacteria to build up in the uterus, leading to a dangerous accumulation of pus.

Dogs with pyometra often become very unwell quickly, showing signs such as lethargy, reduced appetite, vomiting, increased thirst, and in some cases a swollen abdomen or vaginal discharge. Because the condition can deteriorate rapidly, it is considered a veterinary emergency.

Treatment usually involves urgent surgery to remove the infected uterus and ovaries (spaying), which offers the best chance of recovery. In some cases, medical management may be used, but it is less reliable and carries a higher risk of recurrence.

The key message is that early recognition and prompt treatment are critical, and spaying is the most effective way to prevent pyometra from occurring in the first place.

Further reading: Treatment for Pyometra

Animal Trust Pet A&E locations

Barnsley – 1 Beevor Court, Barnsley S71 1HG

Bolton – 46 Lower Bridgeman Street, Bolton BL2 1DG

Ellesmere Port – Cedab Road, Ellesmere Port CH65 4FE

Shrewsbury – Coleham Head, Shrewsbury SY3 7BJ

Teesside – Teesdale House, Westpoint Rd, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees TS17 6BL