Bob Barker was Right (Don't open if grossed out easily)

Not a day goes by that I don't recommend to someone with a new puppy or kitten to have him/her neutered or spayed. There are lots of reasons: prevent unwanted pregnancy, prevent hormone-associated behavioral problems, prevent breast cancer, and prevent pyometra, to name a few.

There's also not a day that goes by where I don't vaccinate at least one dog or cat for a number of common diseases, like Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Kennel Cough, and many more.

And every once in a while a client will argue with me about the need for spaying/ neutering or vaccination. I think I am going to start showing those people the following two cases.

The first is a pyometra. This is a severe, life-threatening infection of the uterus in unspayed females that occurs when fecal bacteria find their way into the uterus. Bootsie decided to visit me yesterday morning because she wasn't feeling well. These are a few pictures of Bootsie's uterus during her emergency surgery. This is the uterus of a 40 lb dog, which normally should be about as big around as a pencil:




















































The second is a video of a dog with Canine Distemper. This is an easily-prevented disease, as long as you get your puppy his or her shots on time. If they catch this virus, they don't get better. It always ends in euthanasia.

Bootsie is doing well today, and she should make a full recovery. 24 more hours and all that pus inside her uterus would have been in her abdomen, and she would be a goner.

Bootsie

Beyonce, the Distemper dog, will likely be put to sleep today.

Moral of the Story: Spays/ Neuters and Vaccines are kind of important.