We have so much to be thankful for at Vital Vet Animal Hospital this year — and Baby’s story is at the top of the list. Her emergency reminded us how important teamwork, quick action, and an attentive pet parent truly are. Spoiler alert: this story ends with a wagging tail.

It Starts With a Concerned Pet Parent

If you’ve ever wondered what alerts us that something might be wrong with a pet — most of the time, it’s you. Pet owners know their animals best. If you think something’s off, you’re probably right.

Baby is a 9-year-old black Lab whose owners sensed something wasn’t quite right. They thought she might be pregnant, but worried when she suddenly wasn’t eating well. Then she vomited a few times, and they saw some unusual vaginal discharge. Trusting their instincts, they brought her to Vital Vet.

What We Saw at Her Visit

When Baby arrived, the Vital Vet team checked her vital signs and performed a full physical exam. She had a high fever, a bloated belly, and was uncomfortable.

Bloodwork and X-rays were recommended. Why? Because many conditions can look similar, and we want to be sure we treat the right thing.

The tests revealed two big clues:

  • X-rays showed something in her belly that shouldn’t be there.
  • Bloodwork showed her body was fighting an infection.

It turns out Baby wasn’t pregnant, but battling a pyometra: a life-threatening uterine infection that can only be treated with emergency surgery.

Emergency Surgery

Vital Vet scheduled Baby for surgery first thing the next morning, and advised her family to watch her closely. Pyometras can make pets very sick very quickly, so Baby was to go to an emergency facility if she worsened overnight.

Luckily, Baby stayed stable and had surgery the next morning. The entire Vital Vet team was prepared for anything. Thanks to carefully planned anesthesia, close monitoring, and no surgical complications, Baby did very well! She recovered smoothly in the hospital and went home that afternoon.

A Difficult Recovery

Once Baby got home, something didn’t feel right to her family. She was getting more tired, and they noticed something oozing from her incision. Again, they trusted their instincts and brought her back to Vital Vet that same evening for a check up.

By the time she arrived, Baby was in trouble. Her blood pressure was low, and she still had a high white blood cell count. The team was worried about internal bleeding or septic shock — both can happen even when a pyometra surgery goes well.

Again, Baby’s family acted fast, and that made all the difference.

24-Hour Care and a Turning Point

Baby was transferred to a 24-hour emergency hospital for close monitoring overnight.

Ultrasound showed a small area of internal bleeding, but the good news was that it was slowing down on its own. With round-the-clock care in the ICU, Baby steadily improved — and she didn’t need a second surgery.

A week later, she returned to Vital Vet for a recheck. She was bright, happy, and her bloodwork showed huge improvement. The best part? Her personality was back — tail wag included.

Since then, Baby has fully recovered.

Why Baby’s Story Matters

We are so grateful Baby is thriving. Her journey shows how pet parents are the key component of a pet’s care team. From the first warning signs to a comfortable recovery, you’re there for it all.

Baby’s owners trusted their instincts twice that week, and twice it saved her life.

So if you think something isn’t right with your pet, listen to that feeling. You know them best.

Don’t wait — call us at 757-956-1110. We’re here to help.

Thank you to our Hampton Roads pet-loving community for trusting us with your furry, scaly, and feathered family members. And a special thank-you to Baby’s family for allowing us to share her story.

FAQ

What’s a pyometra?

A pyometra is a dangerous, life-threatening infection of the uterus.

What symptoms should I look for?

Pets with a pyometra may show:

  • Low energy
  • Not wanting to eat
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • A swollen or painful belly
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Increased urination

How is a pyometra treated?

Emergency surgery is the only cure.

Which pets are at risk?

Any unspayed female dog or cat who has had a heat cycle is at risk.

Why is pyometra surgery riskier than a regular spay?

Pets with pyometras are already very sick. This increases risks with anesthesia, surgery, and recovery. In contrast, routine spays are done on healthy pets, making them much safer.

How fast should my pet be seen if I’m worried about a pyometra?

Immediately. Pyometras cannot wait. If you notice symptoms, your pet should be seen right away.

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