Of pyometras and goal setting

Hey friends,

So I’m turning 29 in 2 days and I feel so grateful to be able to do what I do everyday. I hope to keep sharing what I learn to help you on your journey, build good habits for you to succeed in your vet career & help other pet parents succeed as well.

Everyday, I am still surprised by the number of pet parents who are unaware that pyometra (infection in the uterus, due to hormonal influences coupled with bacterial infection) is a life threatening condition, so I hope that by sharing the importance of spaying our pets (who won’t be bred from) we can help prevent future pets from developing nasty pyometras, as it is just so heartbreaking when I see those cases..

New knowledge at work

So the desired treatment for pyometras is an ovariohysterectomy (i.e., spay procedure) which involves removing the source of infection- the uterus and the ovaries, alongside any supportive therapy as required. However, in recent years there have been reports on medical therapies, in closed and open pyometras. (Closed pyometra is where the infection is ‘trapped’ in uterus while an open pyometra is where the infection is draining or discharging out, and you can see dark red foul discharge from the vulva of the dog)

Medical treatment for pyometras - off label use of multiple doses of aglepristone in pyometra (open and closed) has been described in this paper and this review. Essentially, the aglepristone (a competitive progesterone antagonist) disrupts the progesterones role in pyometra, allowing the natural expulsion of uterine contents and cleaning mechanisms to take place, as described in the Vet Times article.

I am not advocating the use of one method over the other, as case selection is important. The efficacy of using algepristone in pyometra treatment is mentioned in the studies linked, however the author stresses that case selection is important to ensure success of treatment, and is contraindicated in critical patients where risk of septic peritonisis is high. So in those cases, surgery is a preferred option alongside close monitoring of blood levels. If you’ve used this method before, I would be curious to know your success rates, hit reply and let me know!

Book I’m reading

Over the bank holiday weekend I was reading this book which reminded me of ‘The Secret’ if you’ve heard of it before, but written by a neuroscientist. She cites some evidence based methods to optimise your mindset and decision making skills, especially if you’re in a fast paced high stress working environment. Book summary to come soon and honestly I am excited to get into her visualisation exercises.

Podcast recommendation

Goal setting by Grace - it is June already (I know I couldn’t believe it!) so if you’re in need for a mid year reset, or trying to get back on track with your goals, this episode is for you.

New video this week

Finally, what’s one thing you intend to get better at this week? If it is being less reactive, more calm at work (I need this lol), or eat more healthily, drink more water.. Write it down on your notes app/ journal and create an intention to do it. Your future self will thank you for that healthy habit.

Sending you lots of hugs and energy for the week,

May xx