Pyometra Surgery in Dogs and Cats

What It Is, Why It's Needed, What to Expect, and How We Support You

Why Might Your Pet Need This Surgery?

Pyometra is a life-threatening infection of the uterus, most commonly seen in unspayed female dogs and cats. It may present as an open pyometra (with visible vaginal discharge) or closed pyometra (no discharge, infection sealed inside). Left untreated, it can rapidly lead to sepsis, shock, and death. Surgical removal of the infected uterus and ovaries is the definitive treatment.

Referrals Required for This Surgery

Our hospital does not provide diagnostic or consultation services for suspected pyometra. Instead, your pet's care is transferred to us once a referring veterinarian has performed the diagnostic workup and recommended surgery.

We require a referral for the following reasons:

  • The decision to pursue surgery should be made with your primary veterinarian, who knows your pet's medical history, has completed the necessary diagnostics (such as x-rays or ultrasound), and can discuss the full range of treatment options with you.
  • Our surgical team's role begins after surgery has been advised. We do not offer in-clinic imaging, diagnostics, or pre-surgical consultations.
  • A referral allows us to prioritize patient safety by reviewing complete records and understanding the medical background before proceeding with anesthesia and surgery.

What qualifies as a referral?

We're flexible. A referral can be as simple as:

  • A shared set of medical records from your veterinarian
  • A treatment plan indicating that surgery has been recommended
  • A brief summary emailed, texted, or faxed from your vet's team
  • Direct communication between our team and your rDVM

Our team will review the records in advance, and if we have any questions, we'll reach out directly to the referring clinic.

If you're a pet owner, please talk with your veterinarian first about whether surgery is the right option. Once that decision is made, we're here to provide safe, compassionate, and efficient surgical care.

What Does the Surgery Involve?

Your pet will undergo a sterile ovariohysterectomy (spay) to remove the uterus and ovaries. In pyometra cases, this is considered a surgical emergency. General anesthesia is required, and your pet will receive IV fluids, perioperative antibiotics, and full anesthetic monitoring throughout the procedure. We also provide aggressive pain control during and after surgery.

Are There Alternatives?

Medical management is occasionally attempted in very specific cases but carries a high risk of recurrence and delayed deterioration. Surgical removal is the gold standard. Without surgery, prognosis is poor to grave. In advanced or unstable cases, euthanasia may be considered a humane alternative.

What Are the Benefits?

  • Removes the source of infection
  • Prevents sepsis and systemic decline
  • Allows full recovery with no risk of recurrence (once spayed)

What Are the Risks?

  • Anesthetic complications
  • Surgical site infection or delayed healing
  • Internal hemorrhage
  • Sepsis due to uterine rupture or advanced infection
  • Need for emergency transfer if condition worsens

What's Included in Our Surgical Care

Pyometra Surgery Package: $870.00

Price includes:

  • A personalized anesthesia plan with multimodal pain control
  • IV catheter placement and fluids
  • Anesthesia and multiparameter monitoring
  • Complete surgical removal of uterus and ovaries (spay)
  • Post-op stabilization and in-clinic recovery
  • Take-home medications (pain control and antibiotics)
  • Discharge instructions and recovery plan

When Additional Care Is Needed

In some cases, pets require more intensive or ongoing care after surgery. Because we are an outpatient only clinic, transfer to an overnight hospital may be recommended.

Pets may need overnight care, especially if:

  • They are very young, old, or systemically sick
  • The infection has caused sepsis or organ dysfunction
  • They need 24-hour IV medications, oxygen, or intensive monitoring

If this happens, we will coordinate a transfer to an emergency or specialty facility, and any costs associated with that transfer and continued care will be the owner’s responsibility.

Aftercare: What to Expect at Home

Your pet will go home with:

  • Prescription medications for pain and infection control
  • Instructions for activity restriction and wound care
  • Details on when to return for recheck or suture removal

Most pets start to feel better quickly once the infection is removed, but healing takes time. We're here to help every step of the way.

Have Questions?

Please reach out to our team. We are happy to walk you through the process, answer your questions, and help you care for your pet before and after surgery.