05/10/2026
🐾❤️ LUCY’S STORY: PYOMETRA IN DOGS & WHY DESEXING MATTERS ❤️ 🐾
Meet beautiful Lucy 🐶 ❤️
Lucy’s owner noticed that something wasn’t quite right. She had developed blood and a pus-like discharge from her va**na, was becoming lethargic, and simply wasn’t acting like her usual happy self.
Thankfully, her owner recognised that something was wrong and brought her in to be checked.
Lucy was diagnosed with pyometra, a serious and potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus that can occur in unspayed female dogs.
🩺 What is pyometra?
Pyometra is an infection of the uterus that commonly occurs following a heat cycle. Hormonal changes can make the uterus more susceptible to infection, allowing bacteria to multiply and pus to build up inside the uterus.
🚨 Pyometra is an emergency
Some signs owners may notice include:
🐾 Blood or pus-like va**nal discharge
🐾 Drinking much more than usual
🐾 Urinating more frequently
🐾 Loss of appetite
🐾 Vomiting or diarrhoea
🐾 Lethargy or weakness
🐾 A swollen or painful abdomen
🐾 Not wanting to interact or seeming “not themselves”
🐾 Generally looking unwell
⚠️ Importantly, not every dog will have va**nal discharge. In some cases, the cervix can be closed, meaning infected material remains trapped inside the uterus. This can make the condition particularly dangerous.
❤️ Lucy needed surgery to remove the infected uterus and ovaries.
Lucy was successfully spayed, and we are so happy to say that she has since bounced back to her happy, energetic self!
Seeing her back to her usual playful and loving personality is exactly why recognising the signs and acting quickly matters so much. ❤️
Why is desexing important?
Desexing (spaying) removes the uterus and ovaries, preventing a female dog from developing pyometra.
It also prevents unwanted pregnancies and eliminates the risk of other reproductive diseases.
Lucy’s story is a reminder to know what is normal for your dog. If you notice unusual discharge, lethargy, changes in drinking or appetite, or simply feel that your dog is “not herself”, please don't wait.
If your dog is showing signs of illness, call us on 09 948 2880 and get your dog checked.
Lucy’s story had a happy ending — and today, she is back to being the happy, energetic girl her family knows and loves. 🥰 ❤️ 🐾