Post-Pyometra Surgery: What Kind of Care Does a Dog Need?

A Concern About Hindquarter Weakness After Pyometra Surgery

“My dog had pyometra surgery last week and I was wondering how can I make it easier on her now. She is weak in her hindquarters.”—Cynthia

Ways to Support Recovery After Pyometra Surgery

A survey revealed that more than 19 percent of dogs experienced complications following pyometra surgery (1), so keeping a close watch and taking steps to prevent issues is definitely wise. The following measures can help you avoid problems and keep her more comfortable:

Restrict Physical Activity

In addition to the visible stitches on her belly, your dog has sutures at the ovary sites and on the uterine stump. If she is too active, those internal stitches could break loose. Because of this, keeping her quiet is typically advised for at least one to two weeks.

Walks are fine, but for a few weeks do not let her off leash at the dog park, play fetch or frisbee with her, or take her swimming.

Maintain a Clean Incision

This is not a typical spay incision that requires no attention. The incision is longer than one from a spay, and because she already had an infection before surgery, healing may take more time. You may need to clean the sutures a few times daily, and you must use an Elizabethan collar or another method to stop her from chewing at the site.

Most dogs will recover without any disinfectants, but if the suture line does not appear to be closing properly, contact your regular veterinarian to have the site examined.

Administer Post-Surgical Antibiotics

According to some studies, at least 76 percent of veterinarians prescribe post-surgical antibiotics for their patients after pyometra surgery (2). Infections can develop at the incision site, but internal infections that we cannot see are far more dangerous.

Provide Pain Relief After Surgery

Your dog endured a painful illness and her body is inflamed. Most dogs benefit from anti-inflammatory drugs after a routine spay (3), and those that have gone through a painful condition like pyometra have an even greater need. If no pain medications were prescribed, call your vet and explain that she is not recovering well after the surgery.

Hind Limb Weakness Is a Concern

Your mention of her ongoing hind limb lameness worried me the most. There is some disagreement about why exactly a dog becomes weak in the hind limbs while pyometra is active, but we do know that this issue should resolve once the surgery is performed.

The fact that she remains weak could point to a high level of toxins in her body. Please adhere to all the recommendations above, and if she is still not getting up and down normally in a few days, take her in for a recheck and another blood test to find out whether she is having post-surgical complications.

If she begins vomiting or shows any other signs of illness, she needs to be seen immediately.

References

(1) Turkki OM, Sunesson KW, den Hertog E, Varjonen K. Postoperative complications and antibiotic use in dogs with pyometra: a retrospective review of 140 cases (2019). Acta Vet Scand. 2023 Mar 6;65(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s13028-023-00670-5. PMID: 36879277; PMCID: PMC9987112.
(2) Lavin LE, Maki LC. Antimicrobial use in the surgical treatment of canine pyometra: A questionnaire survey of Arizona-licensed veterinarians. Vet Med Sci. 2023 May;9(3):1124-1133. doi: 10.1002/vms3.1130. Epub 2023 Apr 13. PMID: 37051761; PMCID: PMC10188056. i.nlm.nih.gov/37051761/
(3) Mwangi WE, Mogoa EM, Mwangi JN, Mbuthia PG, Mbugua SW. A systematic review of analgesia practices in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Vet World. 2018 Dec;11(12):1725-1735. doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2018.1725-1735. Epub 2018 Dec 25. PMID: 30774265; PMCID: PMC6362335. i.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6362335/

This article is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from your veterinarian. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.