Vaginitis is the medical term used to describe inflammation of the vagina that may cause redness, swelling and discharge. It is often not a simple condition to treat. It can occur in any female dog, whether she is intact or spayed, at any age.
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Dog Vaginitis Symptoms
The most common symptoms to look out for are:
- Swollen and red vagina
- Licking of the vaginal area
- Increased urination
- Scooting or rubbing of the vaginal area
- Vaginal discharge such as mucus, pus or on occasion blood
There are two types of vaginitis commonly spoken about in dogs, juvenile (or puppy) vaginitis and adult-onset vaginitis.
Research done on this condition has not found that a specific breed may be more predisposed to this condition than others. Puppy vaginitis is often not picked up by parents as their clinical signs are often minor and therefore missed. Some bitches may lick at the area and have a large amount of discharge, but this is not common in puppies.
Adult-onset vaginitis has been reported as more common in sterilised bitches than intact ones. The most common symptom reported is purulent discharge from the vulva.
If you spend long hours away from home a pet camera is recommended so that you can keep an eye on your pooch and see if they display any of the symptoms mentioned above.
What Causes Vaginitis in Dogs
The main causes of vaginitis are:
- Anatomical abnormalities
- Bacterial infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Urine or faecal contamination
- Idiopathic vaginitis
- Urinary incontinence
- Vaginal trauma (this would include mating)
- Foreign bodies
Dr. R Kustritz says “Veterinarians would benefit from new studies-such as investigation of allergies, urinary incontinence, and other possible underlying causes of vaginitis, along with appropriate new treatment options-to shed new light on this frustrating and common disorder.”
How to Treat Vaginitis in Dogs
If you suspect vaginitis, it is recommended to take your pooch to your local veterinarian. A diagnosis will be made based on a clinical exam, patient history and often diagnostic tests. These tests can include a complete urinalysis, urine culture, blood tests, vaginal cultures and vaginal cytology examination. These tests can add up very fast. The best thing you can do for your pooch is to invest in medical insurance such as Petcube’s Emergency Fund to ensure that you have access to medical care when your dog needs it.
Treatment will depend on the cause of the vaginitis. Most dogs will need to be placed on a course of antibiotics to clear up any infection with a disinfectant solution to help clean the area at least twice a day. Your veterinarian will provide you with a detailed treatment plan. Urinary tract infections often occur at the same time as vaginitis as bacteria ascend through the urethra. If the reason for the infection is due to anatomical abnormalities a surgery (vulvoplasty) may be scheduled for your dog to rectify the problem; but only once a course of antibiotics has been completed and the infection has cleared.
Dr S. Hammel’s study stated that: “The most common clinical signs of a juvenile or recessed vulva at initial examination were perivulvar dermatitis in 59% of dogs and urinary incontinence and chronic urinary tract infection (UTI), each present in 56% of dogs. Other common complaints included pollakiuria, irritation, and vaginitis. Most dogs developed clinical signs before 1 year of age.”
Conclusion
Generally, most dogs will respond well to conservative treatments and will not require surgery. Vaginitis and urinary tract infections are uncomfortable and require treatment sooner rather than later.
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