News on Sarrah girl. Sarrah ended up having pyometra and is now spayed. It took a couple days at ER, and vet visits, and what a trooper. Considering everything, she did very well. Now at least all of that is behind us and cannot happen again. Of course everyone at ER and vet clinic adores her. Her looks alone make you melt then add her not feeling good, she was well taken care of! She will be on oral meds for 10 days and a recheck of her blood/CBC next week to make sure her levels are where they should be. She should be just fine. Again, something that only happens ONCE thank goodness. As in the article below, all the more reason to alter/spay your dogs! A small set back but now we will be good as new. The assumption of breeder dog is probably pretty close to accurate. We can only be so relieved that this particular problem/issue happened while she is in fostercare or with a human/family and not alone out running around or breeding in some kennel someplace. Be thankful for that for sure.
Prior to this last issue, Sarrah is doing lovely and I discovered she likes to play ‘fetch’ too! We played with a tennis ball. We ‘finally’ had enough of a ‘path’ in the snow in the back yard to play some! So pretty and so cute to watch. Wish I owned a dog who knew how to do that! Argh… So this is where we are for now. Another update once she is back home here and we can see how she is really doing, she is due to be discharged later today.
I think I found the ball over here!
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Pyometra & Infections of the Uterus in Dogs
Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff
Pyometra is a disease mainly of middle-aged female dogs that have not been spayed. In the past, we thought pyometra was simply a uterine infection, but today, we know that it is a hormonal abnormality, and a secondary bacterial infection may or may not be present. Pyometra follows a heat cycle in which fertilization did not occur. Typically, within two to four months after the cycle, the female starts showing signs of the disease.
What causes pyometra? The two main hormones produced by the ovaries are estrogen and progesterone. An excessive quantity of progesterone, or the uterus becoming oversensitive to it, causes pyometra. In either case, cysts form in the lining of the uterus. These cysts contain numerous secretory cells, and large quantities of fluids are produced and released into the interior of the uterus. This fluid, along with a thickening of the walls of the uterus, brings about a dramatic increase in the overall size of this organ. The uterus is made up of a body with two horns. Inthe unaffected dog or cat, the horns are smaller than a common pencil. However, in cases of pyometra, they become large, sac-like pouches the circumference of cucumbers and 12 to 18 inches long. Normally, the entire uterus in a 40-pound dog will weigh two to four ounces, but in cases of pyometra, this typically ranges from one to four pounds.
As the disease continues, fluid spills out of the vagina causing the animal to lick this area in an attempt to keep itself clean. Bacteria commonly colonize the uterus by entering through the cervix. This produces an even greater response by the body, as it showers additional fluid and white blood cells into the affected organ. After a while, the cervix closes. This effectively traps all of the fluid within the uterus. Still, the body continues to transfer more fluid and white blood cells into the organ, causing even further dilatation and growth. The uterus can rupture, spilling its contents into the abdominal cavity. If this occurs, the dog or cat usually dies in less than 48 hours. In most cases, this does not happen. The body will attempt to eliminate the problem by carrying the wastes and excess fluid through the bloodstream to the kidneys. However, the amount of material in a dog with pyometra is too great to be eliminated in this fashion, overloading the kidney system. The normal toxins that should be excreted from the body build up, and the animal goes into uremic poisoning. Untreated, she will die from kidney failure. Symptoms As the body attempts to flush out the build-up of waste products through the kidneys, the animal will drink excessive quantities of water (polydipsia) and urinate large amounts frequently (polyuria). She will lick at her vaginal area while the cervix is still open and the uterus is discharging a white fluid. She may run a low-grade fever and if blood work is done, she will show an elevated white blood cell count. As the uterus increases in size and weight, the dog shows weakness in the rear legs, often to the point where she cannot rise without help. As the dog enters kidney failure, she stops eating and becomes very lethargic. Treatment Since toxicity may develop very quickly in dogs with pyometra, it needs to be treated promptly. Dogs will receive intravenous fluids, usually for several days, and antibiotics. In most cases, the preferred treatment is a complete ovariohysterectomy (spay). This removes the ovaries, oviducts, uterus, and all associated blood vessels. These animals can be a surgical challenge because of their poor overall condition. In some females valued for breeding, prostaglandin and antibiotic therapy may be tried instead of surgery. The prostaglandin is given for 5-7 days and causes the uterus to contract and expel the fluid. In mild cases, when the cervix is still open and the fluid is draining, the success rate is excellent. This therapy should only be used in dogs 6 years of age or younger, who are in stable condition, and have an open cervix. Prostaglandins can have side effects, especially after the first dose, including restlessness, panting, vomiting, increased heart rate, fever, and defecation. Prevention
The best prevention is to have all female animals spayed at or before six months of age. If the animal is used for breeding, then spaying the animal after she is past her breeding years is highly recommended. Pyometra is a fairly common and serious problem and is just one of many compelling reasons to have your female pet spayed at an early age.
This is a good time to mention here I think, that you families out there who are looking to adopt a rescued golden really need to remember that these are truly ‘rescued’ dogs. We as fosters do our very best to help these great dogs to adjust, learn, accept, etc. life behaviors and learn they are in a new world which will consist of patience, love, education, and a real ‘home’ for them to go to. A home we want them to have forever and ever. A final/forever home which will understand that rescue dogs will also need to ‘re-adjust’ to yet another new environment/family and many of these goldens are not just going to pick up where they ‘left off’ in fostercare. With the education, knowledge, patience and love, you will be getting one of the best dogs/companions ever. Yes, they do have a ‘past’ and a ‘history’. We don’t always know what it is, but that is fine. As long as families realize and really familiarize themselves with the breed, the dog and the foster family, wonderful permanent transitions are made. Great goldens will come into your home and warm you up and make you so very happy, for so many years. Yes, the unconditional love, can’t beat it. Just the most wonderful breed ever. An open mind and heart go a long way. We so love what we do as fosters, at least I sure do. Thank you, Ragom, for being there for these magnificent golden retrievers, for the heart and soul we all put into them! Sarrah is certainly one special golden girl. More to come…………
PS: The great work of Ragom is of course made possible by donations. Stories like our Sarrah sure come at an expense. Please think about becoming a ‘sponsor’ or donating to Ragom and help us continue the best possible care we can give these wonderful golden retrievers. We ‘all’ benefit from this great gesture and kindness and be sure to know that, these dogs are more than deserving! http://www.ragom.org/donations/donations.html Many ways to help! Thank you very much.
We adopted Gracie (Sarrah #10-036) on March 13, 2010. She was our second golden and I cannot tell you how much joy & laughter she has brought to our lives the past two+ years. Yesterday evening, she would not eat, wandered around aimlessly and appeared to be very distressed. My husband & I were up a good share of the night, trying to make her comfortable. I called our vet very early this morning and the call was returned as soon as they opened. Dr E. had a full schedule but we were told to bring Gracie in at 11:30. He checked her out & after some discussion, took x-rays that confirmed our worst fears. She had a very large malignant tumor on her spleen. She didn’t appear to be in any pain but was very uncomfortable and had difficulty breathing. My husband asked the long term prognosis and we were told that unfortunately, the size of the tumor would take her life in 24-48 hours. We were stunned but our decision to relieve her of her pain was immediate. There was no way we would let her suffer or struggle another moment. I called our daughter & granddaughter and they came immediately and we said our very tearful good-byes. 
