Quote Originally Posted by CA Jack View Post
Anytime a bulldog doesn't eat for 2 days, it needs a vet.

Surprised you haven't heard of pyometra yet; it's a killer and it's fairly common in elder bitches.

Anytime any bitch comes out of heat (bred or not), you need to be aware of the potential for pyometra.

Lethargy, inappetence, bloat, tremendous thirst, etc. are all telltale signs.

I am sorry for your loss, but I am even sorrier your bitch had to go through all that for so long, without reprieve, because it is an agonizing way to go for them.

Jack
Hey Jack

First, I've had pyometra. Typical stuff, about half way through pregnancy, or a little longer, bitch wouldn't eat, thirsty, all the classic signs. Had discharge and everything. We hit her with a prostaglandin protocal and it worked out and we saved here. Not big deal.

This one, was different. Same kind of time frame, doesn't want to eat. She looke pregnant, so I palpated and didn't get anything convincing me she was. But, just to play it safe, I hit her with ceph and pen for a few days and she started eating the very next day. Appetite was good, eyes and attitude, all good. No discharge of any kind. A week or so goes by, she's acting normal.

Well, about 2 weeks from whelping date, she won't eat again. Again, no discharge of any kind. I do some things to keep her hydrated and fed and play it by ear for a few days. That was the other things, absolutely no drinking at all. I'd never had a closed pyo before, so all the symptoms that are normally there with pyo, was not, in my experience anyways except the not eating.

So, long story short, took her in, it was a closed pyometra and she was put down. Some factors that went into that were:
1. She's 10 and although decent shape, not great shape. Current sick condition may not allow her to get out of a surgery
2. She had two litters in her life, none over 3 pups - likelyhood of getting pups after fixing this, if we did, was zip, imo
3. She's a brood dog - not a pet
4. She had cancer - mild, but it was still there.

So, imo, considering all in front of me, we did the right thing.

It is only the second pyometra I've had, one open and one closed.

As for preventative measures, what can I do to prep a female to ensure this doesn't happen? Any ideas? I'm all ears.

Thanks to all you fellows with kind words