Pathophysiology
The word pyometra can be divided into two root words pyo means pus, and
metra refers to the uterus.
Pyometra starts after a dog goes through a heat cycle,
usually within about 3 to 5 weeks. Stimulation of the uterus with abnormal
levels of hormones (estrogen and progesterone) cause the lining of the uterus
to become thickened and fluid accumulates inside the uterus. Infection develops
in the uterus , as the infection progresses, the uterus fills with pus. If the
pet has closed pyometra the cervix is not open and pus cannot drain to the
outside. If open pyometra is present, the pus can drain through the cervix. The
infection is life-threatening; closed pyometra may cause a pet to become more
ill than open pyometra.
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