Emergency Surgery Saves Queens Dog from Deadly Infection

April 23, 2026

It was February 23, 2026, the day record snowfall slammed the Northeast, forcing people to stay home amid blizzard warnings, transportation shutdowns and school and business closures.

It was also the day that Rosa B. of Astoria planned to bring her dog, Francine, to the ASPCA Community Veterinary Clinic by The Rachael Ray Foundation™ in Queens. Rosa had previously called the clinic to report that Francine was experiencing bloody discharge from her vulva, lethargy and vomiting.

But New York City was at a standstill, and the Queens clinic, along with many other businesses, was closed for the day.

The next day, Rosa received a call from Sophia D’Amico, an ASPCA patient liaison, offering an emergency appointment. “Our Midwest Office got the ball rolling with an afternoon booking,” Sophia says. “But because of the urgency of Francine’s symptoms, we moved up the appointment.”

Rosa and Francine braved snow-covered sidewalks and quickly plodded to the clinic.

“Cab drivers wouldn’t pick us up, and Francine’s symptoms were getting worse,” says Rosa.

Upon examination, Dr. Kayla Charles suspected that Francine had an infected uterus, called a pyometra. Dr. Charles performed an emergency spay surgery the same day, removing the infected uterus, which was covered in cysts.

A Common Malady in Unspayed Females

In 2025, seven ASPCA clinic groups performed 247 pyometra surgeries in cats and dogs. At the ASPCA Community Veterinary Clinic in Queens, 70 surgeries were performed, more than at any of the other clinics, which are located in Brooklyn, the Bronx, South Los Angeles and Liberty City (Miami), as well as on mobile units in Los Angeles and New York City.

Pyometra can be fatal in female dogs and cats that are not spayed. It is caused by a bacterial infection and can occur after a female has finished a heat cycle. Symptoms include vaginal discharge, fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and increased thirst or urination. The uterus can rupture, spilling the infection into the abdomen. Pyometra can also lead to sepsis and kidney failure.

In addition to pyometra, ASPCA clinics commonly treat hydrometra — watery fluid accumulation in the uterus of unspayed dogs and cats. Though the fluid is not infectious nor life-threatening, it can lead to serious uterine disease. A total of 302 patients diagnosed with hydrometra were spayed at ASPCA clinics in 2025.

Reasons To Spay

The ASPCA encourages all pet owners to spay or neuter their pets.

“While there are so many benefits associated with spaying and neutering, many pet owners don’t know it can be dangerous not to have their pets spayed until it’s almost too late,” says Dr. Lori Bierbrier, senior medical director who oversees many of the ASPCA clinics.

It’s best to spay a pet before she goes into heat; around four months of age is ideal. If your unspayed female is symptomatic, take her to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Francine was placed on fluids to maintain her blood pressure and received antibiotics and pain medication. She recovered from surgery listening to her and Rosa’s favorite song, "Chandelier," by Sia.

“She loves that song,” says Rosa.

All in the Family

Rosa and two of her three sons, Ivan and Jayden, waited at the clinic until Francine was ready to go home late that afternoon.

Rosa has always loved dogs and cats. The family has had Francine since she was 6-years-old; she was a gift from the boys’ godfather. They also have another dog, Cane, and two cats named Lola and Amy. All their pets were vaccinated at the ASPCA Community Veterinary Clinic, a beloved local resource where vet care is affordable or subsidized.