Prognostic markers in female dogs with pyometra: a retrospective study of 331 cases

ABSTRACT Pyometra is one of the most frequently observed gynecological diseases in elderly female dogs, with an estimated prevalence of 13.2% of reproductive disorders. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the evolution of clinical and laboratory parameters during the first three days of hospitalization, seeking to identify the value of these variables as prognostic markers. A total of 331 female dogs with pyometra were included, being divided into groups of surviving and non-surviving animals with diagnoses of sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock. In the statistical analysis, the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test were performed, and the comparison between groups was performed using the Mann-Whitney test; p<0.05. The prevalence was higher in animals of mixed breed (28%), the age had a mean ± standard deviation of 12 ± 4 years. The most prevalent comorbidities were breast tumor (18.1%) followed by renal dysfunction (10.5%). The most frequent complication was peritonitis (7.2%). The presence of renal dysfunction, closed cervix, the use of vasoactive and abnormal capillary refill time (CRT) are prognostic markers, as well as the values of laboratory tests such as: myelocytes, band neutrophils, segmented neutrophils, lymphocytes, urea and creatinine.