| Summary: | A retrospective cross-sectional study was used to analyse pyometra cases at five RSPCA
Animal Hospitals across the UK from 2006 to 2011. A total of 1728 cases of pyometra
were recovered from a female dog outpatient caseload of 78,469 animals, giving a total
prevalence of 2.2 per cent over the study period. There was an annual increase in the
incidence of pyometra within the population, while elective ovariohysterectomy caseload has
declined. There were variations in breed and age at presentation. Bullmastiffs (P<0.0001),
golden retrievers (P=0.001) and dogue de Bordeaux (P=0.008) were over-represented in the
pyometra population when compared with the female dog outpatient caseload. Mean age
at presentation was 7.7 years. Some breeds presented at a significantly lower age, including
dogue de Bordeaux (mean age 3.3 years) and bullmastiffs (mean age 5.4 years), while
others presented as older dogs, including Yorkshire terriers (mean age 9.4 years) and border
collies (mean age 10.3 years). Surgical mortality rate at the Greater Manchester Animal
Hospital was 3.2 per cent. Pyometra is of significant welfare concern, and also has cost
implications, particularly in charity practice. These results serve to highlight this condition
so that future change in charity practice caseload can be anticipated and strategies can be
directed to improve animal welfare.
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