Pyometra in Cats 
© onephoto / stock.adobe.com
Fatigue and pain are signs of a uterine infection in cats.
A pyometra in cats is usually an urgent emergency. To ensure you can react quickly and assist your cat when necessary, this article provides you with crucial facts regarding symptoms and treatment options for what’s known as pyometra.
Table of contents
Is pyometra in cats dangerous?
Veterinarians usually understand pyometra to be a purulent inflammation of the uterus. It is also known as a uterine infection due to its pus-filled nature.
If left untreated, this purulent inflammation can pose a threat to the cat’s health, thus it is considered a gynaecological emergency.
Which cats are commonly affected by pyometra?
In general, any female cat that has not been neutered can develop pyometra. However, reports suggest that certain cats appear to be at an increased risk. Two factors play a role: – Cats between the ages of four and seven are particularly susceptible to this uterine disease. – Typically, those affected are cats that have not yet experienced pregnancy.
Causes: What triggers pyometra in cats?
Pyometra in cats is essentially due to a bacterial infection of the uterus. Over time, this leads to the uterus filling up with pus. The ascent of bacteria is facilitated by various processes.
The Oestrus Cycle and its Impact on Pyometra
The cat’s reproductive cycle is subject to various hormonal changes. Notably, the hormone progesterone affects the secretion and immune system of the uterine mucosa.
At the end of your cat’s heat cycle, the level of progesterone is particularly high. Now, secretion increases and immune system defences decrease. Ascending bacteria find prime conditions to multiply, eventually leading to uterine inflammation.
Underlying Conditions that Promote Pyometra in Cats
However, it’s not only hormones that can promote pyometra in cats. Other factors, such as ovarian cysts or other uterine diseases like glandular-cystic endometrial hyperplasia, can facilitate it.
The Role of Medications
Treatments with progestogens can also trigger pyometra. These medications are used to suppress oestrus in cats.
Symptoms: How does pyometra manifest in cats?
Because of its unique development, pyometra in cats usually becomes clinically apparent about four to six weeks after heat.
Open or Closed Pyometra
Whether the uterine inflammation in a cat is noticeable by discharge depends on the type of inflammation: – If pus is discharged through the vulva, it’s referred to as open pyometra. Here, symptoms are usually milder. – If the cervix closes and the pus cannot drain, it leads to closed pyometra. The infection worsens, and the risk increases that the uterine wall may burst. At this point, pyometra becomes an urgent emergency.
Key Signs of Pyometra
Typical symptoms of pyometra in cats include: – Lethargy – Decreased appetite – Fever (above 39°C) – Elevated heart rate (Tachycardia) – Pain
When should I visit the vet?
If you suspect pyometra in your cat, you should consult your vet immediately. The earlier you act, the sooner you can help your cat and prevent complications.
Left untreated, the cat’s health deteriorates. The advancing inflammation may result in a rupture of the uterine wall and bacterial blood poisoning, called sepsis. A life-threatening shock is also a possibility.
Diagnosis: How is pyometra in cats confirmed?
Usually, the vet speedily suspects a purulent uterine inflammation through an extensive inquiry about your cat’s condition and clinical examinations.
A look at the external genitalia also shows whether it might be open or closed pyometra. To confirm a suspected uterine inflammation, additional diagnostic measures might be considered.
- Imaging: With ultrasound or X-rays, the vet can assess the fullness of the uterus from outside.
- Blood Test: The bloodwork can reveal many indications of inflammatory processes in the body, including pyometra.
Therapy: How is pyometra in cats treated?
Besides antibiotics, anti-inflammatories or pain medication, different forms of treatment are available depending on your cat’s condition.
Surgical Treatment
If your cat is in poor health, surgical removal of the uterus as emergency therapy is usually indicated. This also has the benefit of preventing future recurrences.
Conservative Medication Treatment
If for certain reasons you don’t wish to neuter your cat, for example, if you plan to breed, special medications can be an alternative: – Aglepristone for closed pyometra – PGF2α for open pyometra
These substances cause the uterine muscles to contract. Concurrently, the cervix opens again, allowing the pus to drain.
However, specific conditions must be met for medication treatment. For instance, administering aglepristone requires the presence of so-called corpora lutea in the ovary.
Besides, the medication can cause certain side effects, such as severe pain reactions, diarrhoea, and screaming fits.
© troyanphoto / stock.adobe.com
Prognosis: What are the chances of recovery?
Pyometra typically doesn’t heal on its own. Especially a closed pyometra requires prompt treatment.
Therefore, you should seek veterinary care if you suspect uterine inflammation in your cat. Your cat’s prognosis will depend on how quickly you get it treated by a vet.
Prevention: Can pyometra in cats be avoided?
Neutering is the only sure way to prevent the development of uterine diseases such as pyometra in cats.
This article from zooplus Magazine is purely informative. If your pet is experiencing discomfort, contact your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
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At the Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen I was extensively trained as a veterinarian and was able to gain experience in various fields such as small animal, large animal and exotic animal medicine as well as pharmacology, pathology and food hygiene. Since then, I have been working not only as a veterinary author, but also on my scientifically driven dissertation. My goal is to better protect animals from pathogenic bacterial organisms in the future. Besides my veterinary knowledge, I also share my own experiences as a happy dog owner and can thus understand and enlighten fears and problems as well as other important questions about animal health.
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