The following from scanned article provided by Save-A-Pet in Humewood http://www.saveapet.co.za/
Original with pictures: LucyArticle.jpg
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Care for animal ills

THE plight of Lucy - a dog who was taken to the Community Clinic to be put down - was brought to the attention of Mavis Smith of Save-A-Pet. Apparently Lucy continually wet herself and no course of medication seemed to help.

“When I initially got the dog I took her to a vet who treated her for a urinary tract infection,” said Mavis. “I took her to another for a second opinion.”

The vet decided an exploratory operation might help to identify the problem. According to Mavis, who was present at the operation, It seemed as if the animal just ‘burst open and this thing came out’.

Dr Darke, a spokesperson for the PE Veterinary Clinicians’ Group, explained that the condition is referred to as a Pyometra and that bitches who are not spayed can develop this infection and run a greater risk of developing breast cancer.

“The infection can develop when the animal comes into season,” explained Dr Darke. -‘Bacteria enter the womb and, if the dog is not impregnated and delivers pups, stays there and causes an infection. In Lucy’s case this had happened throughout her adult life which is why the condition was so bad.”

According to Dr Darke the problem only occurs in adult, unspayed bitches and can be prevented by spaying at the correct age, normally six months old.

“Certain drugs used to suppress the natural mating season of the animal, can also trigger the Pyometra condition,” he said. “This condition happens mostly because owners are ignorant of their pet’s needs, not because they don’t care.”

Although Lucy has recovered since the operation and has a new owner, the bacteria from the infection has spread to her heart valves, damaging them and thus causing a heart murmur.

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