Vaginal

Vaginal describes everything concerning the vagina of the female dog, the canal between the uterus and the external genitalia. For you as a dog owner, this topic becomes relevant if your female dog shows discharge, licks herself more frequently or has problems with urination.

When is discharge in a female dog normal?

A clear, odourless discharge is completely normal during oestrus. The vagina then produces more secretions to prepare for mating. You can recognise this by a transparent to slightly milky discharge without a strong odour.

It becomes concerning with:

• Yellowish, green or bloody discharge outside of oestrus
• Foul-smelling secretions
• Accompanying symptoms such as fever or loss of appetite

What vaginal problems occur in female dogs?

The most common disorder is vaginitis, an inflammation of the vaginal mucosa. Young female dogs before their first oestrus are particularly affected because their hormonal balance is still unstable.

You can recognise vaginitis by these signs:

• Increased licking of the genitals
• Yellowish discharge
• Swollen, red vulva
• More frequent urination in small amounts

A vaginal prolapse appears as pink tissue protruding from the vulva. This usually happens during oestrus when hormones make the tissue softer. Small prolapses often disappear on their own, larger ones require surgery.

When do I need to take the female dog to the vet?

Go to the vet immediately with foul-smelling discharge, especially if your female dog is also drinking a lot and urinating frequently. This indicates pyometra (uterine inflammation), a life-threatening emergency.

These symptoms also require veterinary treatment:

• Bloody discharge outside of oestrus
• Visible tissue parts protruding from the vulva
• Signs of pain when touching the abdominal area
• Apathy and refusal to eat

How can I prevent vaginal problems?

The most effective prevention is spaying before the first oestrus. It almost completely eliminates the risk of hormone-related diseases such as pyometra.

In unspayed female dogs, pay particular attention to changes after oestrus. The first six weeks afterwards are the most risky period for pyometra.

Good hygiene helps with young female dogs suffering from recurrent vaginitis: clean the genital area daily with lukewarm water and dry it carefully.