Canine vulvovaginitis is a very common problem in dogs of all ages, breeds and reproductive cycles, its causes may include anatomical abnormalities, hormonal disturbances, viral or bacterial infections or if it is due to a systemic disease, in both cases it is necessary that you take the dog to the veterinarian for a thorough examination and specify what is the best treatment.
Vaginal discharge is one of the most common clinical signs of this problem and causes great concern for the tutor, if you want to know more about vaginal discharge and vulvovaginitis in dogs, its causes and treatments, continue reading this article of Animal Expert, where we will develop a little more on these topics.
- Vaginitis is defined as inflammation of the vagina and vulvaitis as an inflammation of the vulva.
- Which may or may not be accompanied by an infection; when inflammation of both structures occurs called vulvovaginitis and.
- In most situations.
- It manifests as vaginal discharge.
Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder wall and can also lead to cross bacterial infections, due to anatomical proximity between the urethral opening and the vagina.
Vaginal discharge is any fluid that leaves the vagina and usually occurs in small amounts, going unnoticed most of the time, however, in case of pathology, it occurs in quantities and with abnormal characteristics.
Its color can be
Your type can be:
And its consistency varies between:
Vaginal discharge characteristics can help the veterinarian discover the diagnosis and know what’s wrong with your dog, so it’s important to have a good physical exam and a good collection of information about your pet’s lifestyle and habits.
Below, we explain the possible causes of vaginal secretions and the discharges that are normally associated with each of them.
When it is an anomaly of the reproductive system, it usually occurs from an early age, usually when dogs reach the peak of the first zeal (between 7 and 10 months, and may vary beyond this interval depending on the breed and the individual) In addition, the type and color of the discharge can vary depending on the anomaly.
Occasionally, the dog has not yet reached sexual maturity or has had its first zeal (‘strus) and expels a generally translucent secretion without coloration, similar to egg white.This egg white secretion is very common in females 8 to 12 weeks.last a few days and be confused with the first zeal as it is observed:
This is the case when the tutor asks if he sees the dog with transparent secretion, he must worry, the answer is complex as in any case veterinary: how is the situation evolving ?, does it take too long to pass?Does the dog have any other symptoms or changes?, will depend on those answers.
In the case of prepuberal vaginitis, most of these cases are transient and have no impact on animal health, so they do not require treatment.
For more information on puppy discharge, see this other Animal Expert article.
When the dog reaches sexual maturity and has her first zeal for hormonal influence, it is accompanied by different types of discharge throughout the reproductive cycle, being in some stages more evident than in others.
Bacterial infections occur in cases of imbalance of microbial populations and in cases of proliferation and / or appearance of a certain type of bacteria.
The origin of these bacteria may come from the uterine or vaginal lining itself or from urinary tract bacteria (urinary tract infections) or intestinal bacteria (enterobacteriaceae), due to cross-contamination resulting from anatomical proximity.
In the case of a bacterial infection and depending on the degree of infection, i.e. severity, the color of the secretion can vary between yellow and several shades of green, this type of secretion is called purulent and indicates the presence of bacteria.
These infections can occur in very young, adult or even old, but they can be avoided if properly cared for with your pet.
In case of infection, we may have other associated symptoms
If the dog has a urinary tract infection, this can aggravate its symptoms:
Fungal infections, such as canine thrush, do not resolve antibiotic administration, but with antifungals, so it is so important to identify the causal agent.
Symptoms of thrush in dogs include
The pyometer in dogs is a type of uterine infection characterized by large accumulations of pus and other secretions inside, which can be closed (much more severe) or open (severe, but in which the flow is visualized at the exit of the vulva, being easier Appears in larger and whole dogs and is cause for great concern.
The dog has a very swollen abdomen, has a lot of pain, fever, increases its water and urine consumption more than normal, and can become more apathetic and even aggressive when trying to manipulate it.Castration is the measure that serves both prevention and treatment.
During and after childbirth, the dog may release mucus, purulent or hemorrhagic discharges; in normal situations, when the amniotic sac ruptures, the fluid is translucent and fibrinous; and when it expels each placenta, it can be bloody.placental death or retention, may develop an infection and have a purulent secretion (yellow-green), which forces the animal to be taken to the veterinarian because its life may be in danger.
Tumors are another common cause in older dogs that can manifest as vaginal discharge, among other symptoms.
As mentioned above, treatment of canine vulvovaginitis depends on the cause and, before treating your pet, you should consult your trusted veterinarian’s advice to find out what to administer and in what doses and amounts, as insufficient doses can cause drug resistance and overdose can kill the animal.
However, it can ensure the hygiene and cleanliness of the woman’s genital area by cleaning it with wet towels or compresses with a saline solution to keep it free of accumulated waste and secretions.
In short, treatment and cure for canine vulvovaginitis varies from case to case and always depends on the final diagnosis made by a reliable veterinarian.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we do not have the ability to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis, we suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Vulvovaginitis in dogs: causes and treatment, we recommend that you visit our Diseases section of the reproductive system.