1214. Judgment Day for the Jack Russell - closed pyometra

To operate immediately or to wait one day after IV drips and antibiotics? But the dog's gigantic swollen uterus might have burst the next day and the dog would be dead.

A bright blue sky Sunday of Nov 24, 2013 was the Judgement Day for the Jack Russell.

 Chances of survival are less than 50% as the X-rays showed a "dam about to burst soon". Blood test showed a raging bacterial infection with total white cell count over 46 (3 x normal).

What should the owner do?

Nov 25, 2013 was an unusually busy Sunday but I rushed this dog for X-rays myself and got the blood test done in the morning. X-rays confirmed large swollen uterine horns. Blood tests show a very high total white cell count and neutrophil numbers shot up too, indicating a sevre bacggerial infection..
"Schedule surgery at 4 pm," I said to Dr Daniel when he came for work at 12.30 pm. "The dog is very ill."
"She looks bright to me," Dr Daniel said.
"The dog had been given dextrose, glucose and amino acids IV and so she looks good. She could not lift up her head when she came this morning!"

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Dog has gone home 72 hours after surgery. Dog ate some 5 hours after surgery which is a good sign of recovery. Breast tumour is seen.  "Spaying your dog young would have prevented so much stress and expenses," I said to the mother. "Not every sick closed pyometra dog survive surgery!"

STITCH REMOVAL OF DAY 11 AFTER SURGERY

The owner came and stitches were removed. Video of stiiches not completely closed. 

 

 

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ANOTHER CASE OF CLOSED PYOMETRA IN AN 8-YEAR-OLD JACK RUSSELL IN 2014

 

https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2014/07/1396-jack-russell-scored-bulls-eye.html

 

 

 

8-year-old female Jack Russell was on heat 2 months ago. No signs of heat but the male dog tried to mate with her. Four videos are produced to explain closed pyometra in the dog.

VIDEO 

1. CONSULTATION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLMM_Jhud2A

 Blood test. No bacterial infection.
Abdominal X-rays showed closed pyometra. Swollen loops of uterus.
Illustrations of pyometra

2. SURGERY (Viewer discretion is advised)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIwXDJhANKs

6,486 views 29 Jun 2014

Emergency spay after a 24-hour I/V drip plus medication was done by Dr Daniel. You can see the swollen uterus. I advised only isoflurane gas + Oxygen, no I/V sedation as this dog was much lethargic. A speedy surgery ensures the dog survives. Gas by mask was OK in this case. I assess that this dog has a good chance of survival as the owner did not procrastinate seeing the vet. However she was extremely lethargic and had slight anemia. So Dr Daniel did not think she would be Ok post op. The dog woke up just after the last skin stitch. This was a good sign.


3. POST-SURGERY. CLOSED PYOMETRA. Uterine loops are incised to show the abundant pus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IUZvbicgm0

4.  GOES HOME. Recovered fully from surgery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4rHo-QpDdw

CONCLUSION. As at July 9, 2014, around 10 days post-operation, the dog was in excellent health. She went home to a happy daughter of the owner who had not wanted to spay her as he wanted her to have puppies.


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https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/11/4398-video-2014-case-study-closed.html

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https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2014/07/1396-jack-russell-scored-bulls-eye.html