Last month we a hat-trick of pyometra surgeries in a span of just one week! Pyometra is an infection of the uterus, causing it to fill with pus. This condition is caused by the peculiar reproductive hormonal cycles in un-desexed females. Pyometra can be quite painful and if not treated quickly, it can be life threatening
Dogs suffering from pyometra often present not wanting to eat, being dull and lethargic, drinking a lot of water and sometimes have a bloated abdomen. One of the other most common tell-tale signs is discharge from their vulva but this doesn’t always happen making diagnosis tricky to the untrained eye.
Within the span of one week, 3 un-desexed, female dogs presented to our clinic with some or all of the above symptoms. We performed blood work and x-rays to confirm the diagnosis and took them straight into theatre.
Timing was critical and emergency surgery was required to remove their pus-filled uterus. In two of the cases, any further delays could have caused the uterus to rupture causing the infection to spread into the abdomen and their condition could have become exponentially complicated from there. We are extremely happy to report that all three patients underwent surgery and have gone on to make brilliant recoveries!
So what can be done to avoid your female pet getting pyometra?
Well, fortunately for us pyometra is completely avoidable by de-sexing at an early age! No uterus, no ovaries, no reproductive hormones and no pyometra … simple!
De-sexing before the first heat season also helps to reduce the risk of mammary cancer in female dogs. Statistics showed that their chances of forming these cancers jump from 0.5% up to 8% if not desexed before their first heat cycle. After this the numbers become alarming as the risks increase up to 23%!
In a study of 260,000 un-desexed female dogs, 19% of these were diagnosed with pyometra some time before the age of 10 years old. Another 13% were diagnosed with mammary tumors. We think these numbers are huge and just not worth the risk!
Based on our combined experience in the veterinary industry and ongoing studies, our most sincere recommendation based on experience and current literature is that all female dogs should be desexed early, ideally before the age of 6 months.
For more information about desexing benefits and ages, click here for our blog.
Dr Justin Alway is an absolutely amazing vet who did everything he could to help our beautiful bunny mummy. Sadly, despite all his efforts, she didn't make it.The care, compassion and support we received from Dr Alway and the wonderful… More team at Berwick/Lynbrook Vets were beyond anything I have ever experienced.Dr Alway took the time to explain everything to us, made sure we understood what was happening and was incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. What touched us most was that his care didn't stop when we left the clinic. His genuine concern and aftercare were something we never expected but are so incredibly grateful for.We feel very fortunate to have found him when we needed help the most. He is not just an excellent vet but someone who truly cares about the animals and the families who love them.While we are still grieving the loss of our beautiful bunny mummy, we are so grateful for everything Dr Alway and his team did to try to save her.Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, compassion and support. We have certainly found a vet we can trust, knowing that his care goes well beyond the clinic doors.We couldn't recommend him and his team highly enough.
It is honestly difficult to put into words just how genuinely beautiful Dr Daphne and the entire team are, both in heart and in mind.We have had difficulty finding a veterinary clinic that feels calm, polite, warm, welcoming, genuinely… More caring and knowledgeable, but from the moment we arrived, this practice felt completely different. There was such a lovely, peaceful atmosphere, and we never felt rushed, dismissed or treated like just another appointment.The team were incredibly well organised, very reasonably priced and, most importantly, they actively listened to us and took the time to understand the individual needs of our fur kids.With our relocation to Queensland, we needed both of our dogs assessed and given their tick prevention injections, which we had struggled to find another veterinary clinic in South East Melbourne offering. Dr Daphne and the team took the time to explain everything properly and make sure we understood what was needed to protect them once we move. Paralysis ticks are not just a concern in Queensland and New South Wales, and we were also made aware of the importance of prevention as their range continues to extend further south. It was wonderful to find a practice that offers the long-term tick injection, especially for pups who do not take particularly well to tablets.We also received fantastic advice about the possible risks associated with sporting club activities and the preventative measures we can take to help protect them from injury, as well as thoughtful guidance regarding their individual dietary requirements. We had previously fed our kids full Lyka meals but stopped purely because of the cost. A new understanding of the benefits of their meals helped us make an informed decision to reintroduce Lyka and use a half-Lyka, half-current-food approach so we can manage the cost while still giving them those nutritional and probiotic benefits.Our fur kids were also assessed for their fit-to-fly certificates. This was something we had been quite anxious about, particularly given that one of our kids was born deaf and knowing that the relocation and flights are going to be a stressful few days for them. The information, reassurance and practical advice we received gave us a much better understanding of what we can do before and after their flights to minimise their anxiety and support them through the whole experience.What impressed us most was the genuine care behind everything they did. Nothing felt transactional. They listened, explained, reassured and treated our fur kids as individuals.It is incredibly comforting to meet veterinary professionals who clearly have such beautiful hearts and who genuinely care about both the animals they treat and the people who love them.We are so grateful to Dr Daphne and the entire team and cannot recommend this practice highly enough.
I’m really grateful for the care Joey received from the team. Everyone was so kind, caring, and patient, and they took the time to explain everything clearly and guide me through each step. It made a stressful situation feel so much easier.A… More special mention to Dr Angus he’s an absolute legend. He was professional, caring, and genuinely took the time to make sure Joey was looked after properly and that I understood everything. You can really see how much he cares about the animals he treats.I genuinely felt that Joey was in the best hands, and I couldn’t be happier with the care and service we received. I would wholeheartedly recommend this vet to anyone who wants their pet treated with genuine care, compassion, and respect. I wouldn’t hesitate to bring Joey back here again.
Thank you to the team at Lynbrook Vet for all the hard work you do! Within the span of just two weeks, two of my cats have needed to go to the vet for separate issues and it's been a really lovely, reassuring experience both times.… More A big thank you to Dr Naoise, Dr Justin and the nurses who were all so patient and kind with handling my anxious kitties. I can't stress just how helpful and informative everyone was, and how they took the time to thoroughly explain results and answer questions. I'm a really anxious pet owner, but it's been so reassuring knowing how professional and knowledgeable the staff are.Very grateful that this is my local vet! Thank you so much again.
Lynbrook Veterinary Services Primary Care Practice
Lynbrook Vet is a close-knit team of Veterinary professionals dedicated to practising veterinary science in a compassionate, trustworthy, respectful and professional manner. We care deeply not just for our patients and clients, but for one another as well.
Genuine Care & Experience
Customised Treatment Solutions
Customised Treatment Solutions
Specialised Services
Ready to book your appointment?
Please fill out the enquiry form below and we will get in touch with you soon. If your enquiry is urgent please call us on 8373 0301.
