Clinical and Laboratory Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Surgical Treatment of Pyometra in Dogs

Pyometra is one of the most common and clinically significant diseases of the reproductive system in unspayed dogs. It is characterized by inflammation of the uterus, a systemic response of the organism, and changes in hematological and biochemical blood parameters. Timely diagnosis and appropriate surgical treatment are essential for preventing severe complications and restoring the general condition of affected animals. The aim of this study was to perform a clinical and laboratory evaluation of the effectiveness of surgical treatment of pyometra in dogs based on the dynamics of clinical, hematological, and biochemical parameters during the postoperative period. The study was conducted on 23 dogs diagnosed with pyometra, aged 3 to 6 years and weighing 15 to 22 kg. The diagnosis was established based on anamnesis, clinical examination, abdominal ultrasonography, and laboratory blood tests. All animals underwent ovariohysterectomy under general anesthesia. To evaluate the effectiveness of surgical treatment, peripheral blood was examined before surgery and on days 1, 3, and 7 after surgery. The following hematological parameters were determined: erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, total leukocyte count, and the relative proportions of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes, as well as platelet count. Biochemical analysis included determination of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, total protein, albumin, glucose, urea, creatinine, and total bilirubin concentrations. During the postoperative period, a pronounced positive trend in blood parameters was observed. The leukocyte count decreased from 24,6±1,8×10⁹/L before surgery to 9,7±0,7×10⁹/L on day 7, while the proportion of neutrophils decreased from 82,1±2,0% to 65,8±1,2%. At the same time, recovery of erythrocyte parameters was observed. By day 7, decreases in ALT and AST activities and in urea and creatinine concentrations were recorded. The clinical condition of the animals also improved: by day 7, appetite had recovered in all examined dogs, normal body temperature was observed in 100% of animals, and normal motor activity was restored in 95,7%. Postoperative complications were recorded in 4 animals (17,4%) and were predominantly local in nature. The mean time to complete clinical recovery was 7,8±0,5 days. Thus, ovariohysterectomy in dogs with pyometra is associated with progressive improvement in clinical condition and normalization of the main hematological and biochemical parameters. Comprehensive clinical and laboratory monitoring allows objective assessment of the postoperative course and the effectiveness of surgical treatment.