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Vaginitis in Dogs

Vaginitis in Dogs

Vaginitis

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Updated on September 26, 2024
SUMMARY OF CONTENT
Vaginitis in dogs is inflammation of the vagina which can be caused by a variety of problems. The diagnosis and treatment of vaginitis varies from case to case depending upon the underlying cause.
SEVERITY:
Severity is mild to moderate
  • Diagnosis Icon
    Requires a diagnosis by a veterinarian
  • Time to Cure
    Resolves within days to weeks or may be a chronic condition that requires surgery
  • Treatment Icon
    Treatable by a veterinarian, by the pet parent
  • Prevention Icon
    Keep the vulvar area as clean as possible
  • Spread Icon
    Transmission is not possible to other animals or humans
  • Lab Icon
    Diagnosis requires physical examination and lab tests
VERY COMMON IN
Female dogs, both spayed and intact, of any age or breed can develop vaginitis.

Symptoms & Signs

The most common symptoms of vaginitis in dogs include bloody, mucoid, or purulent discharge from the vulva, licking of the vulvar area, increased frequency of urination, and scooting or rubbing the vaginal area along the ground. The vulva may appear swollen and inflamed.

Diagnosis

Vaginitis is usually diagnosed by medical history, clinical signs, and physical examination by a veterinarian. Diagnostic tests may be necessary and include complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry, urinalysis, cytology of the vagina, culture and sensitivity tests, ultrasound, and vaginoscopy.

Causation

Vaginitis refers to inflammation or infection of the vagina. It can be brought on or caused by problems occurring within the vagina, or be secondary to conditions elsewhere in the body. It may be the result of trauma, however, this is rarely the cause. In dogs, most cases of vaginitis are caused by the caustic and irritating effects of urine on the vaginal mucosa or lining. Since urine passes through the vagina with every urination and vaginitis is only seen in a very small percentage of female dogs, cases of this disorder typically mean the urine is abnormal or its flow is in some way altered. In cases of bladder infections (cystitis), the urine contains large numbers of bacteria. Expelled with the urine, these can easily colonize the vagina, leading to infection. In mature female dogs, especially in those that have been spayed, urinary incontinence can be a common problem. Incontinent dogs chronically leak small quantities of urine from the bladder. The urine may lie against the vaginal lining instead of coming out and cause a 'urine scald' or irritation. Infections from bacteria, yeasts, and viruses are known to occur within the vagina. The bacteria isolated from this structure are those commonly found or passed in the dog's stool. It is thought that when the animal cleans itself after urination and defecation, the licking may transfer bacteria from the anus to the vagina. As in other species, yeast infections of the vagina sometimes occur in animals that are on prolonged antibiotic therapy. It appears that these medications suppress the normal bacteria living in this structure, which help to prevent the growth of yeast organisms. The herpes virus known to infect dogs commonly infects the vaginal area. As in other animals, this is a chronic infection with occasional flare-ups of clinical signs. Non-infectious inflammations of the vagina can occur due to the effects of shampoos, detergents, cleaning agents, and other solutions. The severity of this type of inflammation is dependent on the causative agent. Other non-infectious causes can include foreign bodies within the vagina, congenital abnormalities or ectopic ureter, and vaginal tumors. In dogs with vulvar fold abnormalities, vaginitis may occur secondary to irritations resulting from this condition. Young female dogs less than one year of age may develop 'juvenile vaginitis.' The cause of this condition is unknown, but it generally resolves with age and without treatment.

Treatments

icon AT-HOME CARE
Depending on the cause of vaginitis, treatment may include medications administered at home. Often, antiseptic wipes or vaginal douches may be prescribed to treat inflammation and cleanse the area after urination.
icon SUPPORTIVE CARE
None
icon MEDICATIONS
Medications may include oral or topical antibiotics, oral or topical corticosteroids, NSAIDS, or medications for incontinence.
icon DEVICES
None
icon SURGERY
Dogs that have vulvar fold abnormalities or an ectopic ureter may require surgery to reduce pooling of urine within the vaginal vault.
icon SPECIALISTS
Most general practice veterinarians will diagnose and treat cases of vaginitis. However, in difficult cases or those requiring surgery or advanced treatment, consultation with veterinary specialists may be required.

Cost Of Treatment

Cost will be dependent on severity of diagnosis.

Recovery

Dogs treated with medical therapy typically recover within a week of starting therapy. If surgery is performed, expected recovery is 2 weeks after surgery. Exercise should be restricted until sutures are removed.

Monitoring

Dogs experiencing vaginitis should be monitored at home for response to treatment and signs of recurrence. Vaginitis can develop into a chronic condition, especially in dogs with a vulvar fold abnormalities and untreated urinary incontinence.

Prevention

Cleaning the vulvar area, especially between any skin folds, frequently with a medicated cleansing wipe may help to decrease the occurrence of vaginitis.

Questions about Vaginitis in Dogs

My dog I heated uses tampon is it an emergency

Unfortunately I'm having a little trouble understand your question as I'm not sure what you mean by "My dog I heated uses tampons..." I'm wondering if Bella ate a tampon or if you wanted to use one on her while she is in heat. I will answer both to be safe. If she ate a tampon, then yes this is a medical emergency and she has to see a vet now. Tampons can easily cause obstructions in the GI tract, especially since they are absorbent and can get large in the stomach from liquid in there. if Bella ate a tampon, you need to take her into a vet immediately to get it removed. If she is on heat, no you cannot use a tampon to control her bleeding. It's not safe to use at all, and are not meant for dogs. You can put a diaper on her to catch any bloody discharge. There are dog specific diapers online and at pets stores, or you can use one made of a human child. Just cut a hole in it for her tail. Hopefully this answers your question. If it doesn't, I'm sorry and ask you post again in the forum for free to it can get answered!

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I have a cat that as a kitten was very ill. We got him from 7 months old. We knew he’d had cat flu prior to him coming here. He is now nearly 5 yrs old. He picks huge fights with our other cat. He keeps urinating and scratching at doors and windows around the house. We allow him to go out via the cat flap unlimited. What is happening to him

I'm glad to see that Pippin has been neutered because this eliminates that possibility of hormone-fueled behavioral changes and aggression. Behavioral changes in cats can occur at any point in time, and could be related to anxiety or stressful situations (even rearranging furniture or introducing new people to the home can be stressful to cats). Without a lot more information and observing Pippin's behaviors, I can't precisely tell you why these changes are occurring. It may be best to consult a veterinary behaviorist in your home so that they can observe everything firsthand. You can also try using calming pheromone collars or diffusers (Feliway is one example), and discussing the use of anxiety medication with Pippin's vet. I hope that all goes well!

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Hi! My cat was recently diagnosed with diabetes. He’s taking insulin and taking antibiotics for a Uti. It’s been 4 weeks and he wobles when he’s walking. He can’t jump up on the bed like he used to.He’s blood sugar is 250 it’s better than it used to. I don’t understand why he’s so wobbly.

Cats can develop what's called diabetic neuropathy, where their hindlegs become progressively weak. The best thing to do is try to get his diabetes under control as quickly as possible. Here is a link describing the conditon: http://www.diabeticcatcare.com/DCCCOK/Neuropathy.htm

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My senior cat has metastized cancer.17 yrs old. My vet gave her predizone1 and one half tabs a day.i wanted to know if i can just stop the meds.

Is there a reason you want to stop the prednisone? I would recommend not stopping it and if you feel it is better to stop the prednisone then I would recommend weaning off of the prednisone. I would discuss how to wean the prednisone with your veterinarian. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.

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My dog has an ear infection

Sorry to hear Marley isn't doing so well with his ears. It is not possible to tell from tge picture tve exact nature of the irritation but if it is indeed infected (typically red, hot, painful and smelly), he will need prescription medication from his regular vet. In the meantime I recommend gently cleaning tge outer war with cotton wool and a pet safe ear cleaner to reduce the build up of wax/discharge

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My dog vomited a pinkish colour. Does this look like blood vomit? She doesn’t have diarrhoea or anything else. Yesterday i fed her plain chicken with rice.

That is very red vomit, however, this color could be linked to a number of things including blood in the vomit, inflammation of the GI tract, having chewed on a toy this color, eaten a food item this color, or gotten into a plant or other item this color. If the vomiting continues, worsens, or other symptoms appear such as a painful or bloated abdomen, diarrhea or blood in the stool, or severe distress, I would schedule a veterinary appointment right away to rule out more severe issues. In the meantime I would continue the bland diet for 24 hours, and monitor for any additional vomiting or illness symptoms.

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Disclaimer

The information contained on this page is for educational purposes only. This medication should only be given under the advice of a veterinarian who has examined your pet under the laws applicable to your state of residence.