Dog still bleeding

[Hod84]

My boxer dog finished oestrus just under 2 months ago, since then her behaviour has not completely reverted back to normal. In the past 3 days she has began spotting and her vulva has swollen. Anybody know why this may be?

[lankeela]

Take her to the vet as soon as possible, as she may be suffering from pyometra, which is an infection of the womb.
If it is this, it needs urgent treatment, and she may well need spaying. If it is not, it is probably an infection which can be treated with antibiotics. Whichever, or even neither, it is better to be safe than sorry.

[jules77]

Agree with Lankeela, does she have a temperature, is she eating or drinking more water than normal, all can indicate a pyo which is serious and needs urgent treatment.

[lankeela]

There are two types of pyometra, closed and open. They can often occur about 6 - 8 weeks after a season. Closed is when everything is happening internally, and is usually the more serious. The bitch would be lethargic and drinking more, and maybe trying to hide away and not be handled. Open pyometra is usually noticed by a discharge and although they can appear normal in themselves it is still a serious condition and must be treated. Your vet will put your mind at rest, but I would ring them tonight and see what they say about taking her in just to make sure. If they are happy to wait until morning then make sure you take her as early as possible. Don't mean to worry you, but if it was mine I would be there tonight without delay.

[jules77]

just to add on Lankeela's comments, a Pyo is generally more common on older dogs, and starts anytime from a month after they finish their season. But is not always the case, I had a nine month old bitch, on her first season, all was normal until her last day. She was still eating, did not have a temperature, but was sick,...just once, and she kept lying outside not wanting to come in the house. I wanted to be sure she was ok and asked the vet to scan her, and she had a closed pyo. The vet had never seen one on such a young dog, and we were so lucky to catch it early.

[Hod84]

Thanks very much for your replies! She doesn't seem to be lathargic, have a high temperature or drinking more than usual, eating a lot of grass though. She will be nine in a few months and vets have already advised that spaying her at this age may cause her unnessacary grief..(not sure i totally agree with that?!)Have made an appointment at the vets for tomorrow morning. Found a bit of information in my books about pyometer, thanks for your help guys! : )

[lankeela]

Spaying will prevent her from getting mammary tumours (or pyometra) and these days is a very safe procedure as they use quick reversal anaesthetics, although with Boxers you do have to keep an eye on the heart, but the vet would know that.

[kita1]

I had my Belgian Shepherd spayed at 8 years old because she had an open pyo. The vet managed to cure it with antibiotics, but she said that once they had a pyo. chances are it would happen again and next time they might have to spay her immediately (which would not be good). So I let her get to in between seasons and had her spayed at the best possible time.

She had a quick reversal anaesthetic (think it was Rapinovet) and she came round OK. It did take her two or three days to get over the operation though - far longer than my other girl who was spayed after her first season.

I never regretted getting it done, it was better doing it then than waiting until she was say 12 and had another pyo. - then it would have been an emergency with all that goes with it!

If your vet is unwilling to spay her then I would try getting a second opinion.

I read last summer (in the very hot weather) of a Wolfhound girl who was about 8 (old for the breed) who had a season in the hot weather and the stress killed her.

[Hod84]

You know what, not too sure about the vets as they diagnosed my whippet with a benigne tumour which turned out to be form of blister. Tried to get an appointment tonight but they have odd closing hours. May change vet surgery. So far her heart is in good condition but 'm aware that this may change as she gets even older. : (

[bigmamma]

I just want to say I hope your dog will be ok and that you are going to manage to get her to the vet in the morning early .
It's always a worry when our pets are ill and I wish you all the best . You will let us know how you get on if you can ?
xxx

[gonzo00]

sounds like she's having a false pregnancy.due to the behaviour and swelling etc...i've just been through this with my staffie bitch.

[kita1]

The only signs my girl showed was a slight, dark coloured discharge. Thankfully it meant that she had an open pyo. and the vet was happy to treat it with antibiotics - until the best time to spay her.

That was about 14 years ago, things have advanced greatly since then, if your girls heart is OK I cannot see why the vet thinks spaying would be risky.

[Hod84]

Thanks for everyones input! : ) Took her to the vets and she does indeed have a closed pyo. Taking her back in half hour to get spayed. Just hope she'll be ok as it's a big op!

[ruthann58]

chin up hope she will be fine please let us know how she is later on. we are thinking about you both ruth xxx

[lankeela]

Fingers crossed that all goes well. I know some people think I am a right smart *rse but I have lots of doggy contacts and you learn by other people's experiences. This was one case where I hoped I was not right! Thank goodness you took notice and got her to the vet. If you were not such a caring owner and took the advice then you may well have lost your bitch as delay in diagnosing a closed pyo can often be fatal.

Let us know how she is.

[Hod84]

Kinda glad you are a smart arse in this case, wouldn't have had a clue that it could be so fatal if it weren't for you guys! I'm a student doing an animal management course and even though i have all the books, still didn't know what i was looking for! : s Will be picking her up at a bout 4pm if all goes well, i'll let y'all know later on! : )

[jules77]

Glad you caught it now than a week down the line, when she would have become very poorly. Hope she is ok.

[ruthann58]

how is your dog today and those who think lankeela is a smart *rse are stupid we all need advice at times its the people who are to proud to ask or take advice that let their animals suffer

[lankeela]

Any news?

[Hod84]

hello all! Picked her up from the vets fri evening....a very very drunk dog. Anesthetic has hit her bad!She didn't eat or drink much sat. Ate, drank and moved around a bit yesterday which was great. Today, she's not so great, doesn't want to move or eat but at least she's drinking fluids.

[kita1]

Glad to hear she came through the op. It is a very big op. for that age of dog.

I would give the vet a ring and tell them she made progress yesterday but seems to have gone back a bit today - they may want to check her over again.

Best to ring early on in the day if you can then they may be able to fit you in the normal surgery hours.