Metritis is actually the medical term used to describe acute inflammation of the uterus in dogs. This condition is mostly caused by bacterial infection in dogs and is one of the post pregnancy conditions. Metritis generally develops in the immediate post partum, that is, right after the delivery. It can also occur after abortion or breeding.

Metritis Causes
Metritis in canine is actually a bacterial uterine infection that causes inflammation of the uterus. This condition is often associated with the retained placenta or fetuses, after the delivery of a large litter of puppies. The open cervix facilitates easy entry of the bacteria in the uterus of the dogs. It generally occurs within a period of one week after giving birth. The difficult or lengthy delivery process is a common cause of uterine bacterial infections. It may occasionally be seen after miscarriage, medical abortion or non-sterile artificial insemination procedures. The retention of placenta, fetuses and other tissues in the uterus provides a growth medium to the bacteria. The bacteria causing these infections are coliform bacteria like Escheria coli. They spread quickly into the blood and can cause serious dog health.

Symptoms of Metritis
The symptoms can range from mild to severe. The female dog with this condition may smell unpleasant due to the foul-smelling discharge from the vulva. The discharge from the vulva generally appears dark green in color and is a combination of blood and pus. Other symptoms of canine metritis include fever, rapid heart rate, dehydration, vomiting, lack of appetite, diarrhea, dark red gums, swollen abdomen and reduction in milk production. The female dog with metritis may experience difficulty in conceiving and may even become infertile.

Metritis in Dogs: Diagnosis
Metritis is diagnosed by a number of tests performed by the veterinarian. Simple tests like an X-ray or an ultrasound may show the retained tissue or fluid in the uterus. The veterinarian will then perform a complete chemical blood profile, urinalysis and a complete blood count to confirm the condition. The type of bacteria causing the infection can be determined by analysis of a sample of vaginal discharge of the infected female dog. Broad spectrum antibiotics for dogs are generally prescribed till the results are obtained.

Canine Metritis Treatment
Metritis is one of the serious dog illnesses and if left untreated, can lead to septic shock and death of the infected female dog. Identifying and evaluating your dog's symptoms plays a very important role in diagnosing the condition as well as in treating it effectively. In case of mild infection of the uterus, the veterinarian may prescribe certain antibiotics to treat the condition. However, immediate medical treatment is required if the condition is severe. The dog may need to be hospitalized and intravenous fluids and electrolytes may be administered. The treatment may also require removal of uterine contents. This can be done with the help of drugs, such as oxytocin or prostaglandins, that help in stimulating uterine contractions. These drugs can help in expelling the contents of the uterus. Chronic uterine infections may require surgical process for cleaning. At times, if the infection is very severe, it may be necessary to remove all the reproductive organs of the dog. Ovariohysterectomy or spaying your dog is often recommended as it proves to be the best option for a successful recovery in such instances.

Make sure that the dog receives the prescribed dosage of antibiotics on time. Early detection of the condition can prevent complications and can help in effective recovery.