Eating some. Lethargic. White discharge from vulva? Licking a lot. No vomiting or diarrhea. Indoor only. Patient is NOT spayed. Last heat cycle about 8 weeks ago.
Diagnosis is often based on clinical signs, in Malibu’s case a really good indication of a uterine infection was the yellow purulent (puss) discharge from her vulva. She was alos unspayed. Her belly was uncomfortable with palpations, and in some cases the reproductive tract (uterus and horns) are palpable as large tubular structures. An xray may help (although it isn’t my preferential diagnostic if I am running on a budget (which let’s be honest we always are). I prefer an ultrasound and blood work.
We ran a cbc and chemistry on Malibu. She had a very high WBC. This and the discharge were what compelled me to recommend surgery.
Surgery was planned for the next day. Malibu had come to us on our Sunday walk-in appointment hours. We do not do surgery on Sunday’s. Her parents declined a referral to the ER. In previous cases cat pyometra’s have been given estimates of $1500 to $2500 plus at our local ER’s.
On Monday morning at my clinic, Malibu was placed on iv fluids, injectable antibiotics, and underwent abdominal exploratory surgery about 5 hours later.
Upon entering her abdominal cavity a large (very large) tubular structure popped out of the incision. It was her uterus! It was so large I thought it was her colon.
I very carefully exteriorized the uterus and horns and ligated the large blood vessels being very careful to not let the tubular Y shaped organ rupture into her abdomen. She is also a very small thin cat (typical for unspayed cats) so it was very important to keep her warm.
Malibu, like just about every other pyometra surgery I have done did great! We dhaved off her matts as she was waking up. She went home that night to be kept warm, quiet, and on antibiotics and pain medications.
This story was posted with the families permission.
The cost of her care was as follows;
walk in appt on Sunday $60
in house CBC and chemistry $140
injectable antibiotic $22
SQ fluids $$35
Day of surgery:
iv fluids, catheter, and fluid pump; $115
propoflo for induction $60
pyometra feline surgery $220
take home antibiotics and pain medications $60
grooming $45
