Pyometra is a life-threatening uterine infection in entire female dogs that requires emergency veterinary treatment and represents a significant preventable welfare problem.
Pyometra causes severe suffering including abdominal pain, lethargy, polydipsia, vomiting, and systemic toxaemia. Closed pyometra is particularly dangerous as signs are subtle until the dog is critically ill. Neutering female dogs that are not intended for breeding effectively prevents this entirely avoidable condition.