Pyometra is a common condition, however, many private practitioners are reluctant to perform surgery, and refer clients to prohibitively expensive emergency clinics. This study described findings, survival to discharge and prognostic indictors of outcomes for dogs with pyometra in a low cost, non-specialty practice. Medical records of 450 dogs diagnosed with pyometra at the ASPCA Animal Hospital between January 1, 2017 and February 8, 2019 were reviewed. Information obtained included patient history, clinical signs, blood work, surgical findings, length of hospitalization and survival to discharge. 405 (90%) dogs with a mean age of 8 years, (range <1-18) underwent OHE, 26 (6%) were euthanized, and 19 (2%) were treated medically. Eleven dogs had a ruptured uterus at time of surgery. Elevated BUN concentrations predicted greater odds of death after OHE (OR 4.7), >2 nights hospitalization (OR 1.95), or euthanasia without surgery (OR 6.45). However, 94% of dogs with an elevated BUN (109/116) survived to discharge and 40% did not have an extended hospital stay. Presence of a heart murmur had greater odds of death (4.14). The risk of post-operative death did not increase for dogs that required a transfusion, were older (>8 years), or had uterine rupture. Mortality rate of surgical cases was 3% (11/405; 95% CI, 1-5%). Predictive power of the models was weak and may have been influenced by missing data from records. This study shows that most bitches, even with serious and prolonged illness, survived to discharge following OHE in non-specialty hospital with high-quality basic supportive care.
