Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Animal Health – General (Expert Forum)
Canine Stump Pyometra or Liver Disease?
Answered by
Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A - Small Animals, dogs, cats, C.V.A, Western Herbal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Herbalist, Acupuncture
American Animal Hospital
Randolph - NJ
This forum is for general pet health questions, such as questions about medications, parasites, vaccines, infectious diseases, breed specific and genetic problems.
Canine Stump Pyometra or Liver Disease?
by ZoeAnnabell, May 19, 2007 12:00AM
I have a 5 year old Chihuahua. She recently had some bloodwork and a lab cytology done. The cytology showed she had yellow pus or mucous in her abdomen. Her liver enzymes and CK levels were elevated. She had an increase in the percentage of neutrophils and an increase in Albumin. Her red blood cell count was also elevated. The vet suspects Stump Pyometra and wants to do exploritory surgery. I am a little skeptical of that. I don't want to put her through a surgery unless it is absolutely nedded. Do you think it could be Stump Pyometra or liver disease? What other things could it be if not one of those? Just from my observations, she is acting normal. She has always slept alot, but she still plays and loves to go for walks. She is eating and drinking normally. Her urine is dark yellow, and she has been throwing up about once a week or once every two weeks. The vomit is yellow and frothy and sometimes has food particles mixed in. Thank you for any advice. I just want to make sure my baby is okay.
Doctor's Answer
by Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A, May 19, 2007 12:00AM
, May 19, 2007 12:00AMHello,
Neutrophilia (elevated neutrophils), elevated liver enzymes, and vomiting, can be consistent with a pyometra. Usually dogs with pyometra (or stump pyometra) have mild anemia, increased urination and increased drinking, which your dog does not have, but your dog does have other signs. Your dog has elevated red blood cells and elevated albumen. These elevations are due to dehydration, which can have many causes, including pyometra. The pus in the abdomen can be serious. Did your vet take the sample directly from the abdomen, or did the vet sample vaginal secretions? If it is from the vagina it is not as reliable.
I do not have a yes or no answer for you. I believe that your veterinarian is going in the right direction. But you can request more diagnostic procedures to be more definitive, such as abdominal X-Rays and/or abdominal ultrasound. An abdominal ultrasound is a very effective diagnostic tool in this case and would be worth the extra expense.
You could also have a second opinion with another local veterinarian, or go directly to a veterinary referral center, where a board certified soft tissue surgeon and internist could see your dog.
Your present veterinarian should not be offended by your seeking a second opinion, since it is done all the time.
Lastly, your dog’s relatively young age is in her favor. She would probably make a good surgical candidate. Just be sure you have all the requested presurgical blood work, urinalysis, Chest and Abdominal X-Ray and an ECG prior to the surgery. I would also make sure your dog has IV fluids before and during the surgery. You would not want to personally go through a surgery with out a pre-surgical work-up and IV fluids. The more information your veterinarian has going into the surgery the better the outcome.
Good luck and please let me know if I can help further!
Dr. Cheng
