This is an important and serious condition (pus in the womb) in which the uterus is infected. Although it is usually confined to maiden bitches of 6 years of age or more, it is occasionally seen in young bitches as a result of infection acquired at the time of whelping or contracted from the stud dog. When a bitch is not bred from, the uterine tissues begin to deteriorate in the course of time, and this makes them more likely to become infected with harmful bacteria. In the case of young bitches accidentally infected after mating or whelping there is no degeneration of the uterine tissues, but infection occurs from outside, usually with the commoner groups of micro-organisms. All bitches should have at least one litter, which will, to a large extent, prevent this dangerous condition.There are two types of pyometra, open and closed, the latter being far more acute. The symptoms vary, but fever is always present (from 103F. upwards); there is loss of appetite, vaginal discharge (in the open type) of a brownish or pinkish colour and, as the condition becomes worse, great thirst, frequent vomiting and finally prostration. If untreated, a toxaemia quickly sets in. In the closed type, which can rapidly prove fatal, the symptoms are more acute, the fever is usually greater, there is no discharge and as the pus cannot escape, it is pent up within the uterus, there is considerable abdominal enlargement and the abdomen feels hard and is painful to the touch. A case of pyometra may begin as an open type and end as a closed, or vice versa.

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