Studies on comparative efficacy of hormonal and surgical treatment for pyometra in dogs

Sixteen female dogs presented with clinical signs of pyometra were divided into two groups of eight each. In Group-I, ovariohysterectomy was performed under intravenous propofol anesthesia following xylazine sedation. In Group-II, tiaprost trometamol, a PGF2 analogue was injected @ 10 μg/kg of body wt i.m., twice daily for 5 days. There was 100% and 62.5% recovery rates in groups-I and II, respectively. Postoperatively, injections of ceftriaxone, meloxicam, B-complex and IV fluids were administered for 5 days both groups. Severe but transitory side effects, consisting of restlessness, vomiting, hyper salivation, defecation and urination were observed in Group II animals following PGF2 administration. The results indicated that ovariohysterectomy has an edge over the prostaglandin therapy in cases of pyometra. However, hormonal therapy is an acceptable alternative to surgery in animals kept for breeding purpose.