Foxy's Pyometra Medical Emergency

Meet Foxy! This beautiful girl is a sweet 1 year old terrier mix full of life and love for people. After being rescued, she developed a condition called “pyometra,” requiring emergency surgery and treatment.

Pyometra is a serious infection of the uterus caused by a number of different bacteria including some strains of Escerichia coli. This type of infection affects 25% of unspayed female dogs and cats and can be incredibly painful and life-threatening. It is generally more common in older dogs but can happen to youngsters like Foxy who have had their first heat cycles (she came to us unspayed). This is a major reason spay and neuter efforts are important, as treatment for pyometra generally requires surgical removal of the infected uterus and ovaries, not just a round of antibiotics. Due to estrus cycles, the uterine wall and lining undergoes changes which promote the development of disease and infection. Early signs of the disease may be vaginal discharge, later followed with vomiting, panting or weakness, changes in food habits, and peeing more than usual. It further causes fever, anorexia, enlarged abdomen, and lethargy. For dogs, pyometra is a very painful and uncomfortable experience, requiring urgent medical treatment when detected.

Foxy’s surgery ended up costing upwards of $2000, which is well worth it to save her life. We would like to help her new owner cover some of the costs, since her emergency surgery happened right after her adoption. Foxy will live a long, happy life. She’s been through so much even in her first year of life, but she’s got so many more ahead of her.

If you’d like to help us with Foxy’s surgery funding, visit www.vida4animals.org/donate-now/ or Venmo us at @vidarescue. We thank you for your support; it allows us to make sure we can fund emergencies whenever they happen.