A female dog can have a swollen vulva from something as simple as the onset of heat, or from serious causes such as the presence of infections, vaginitis inflammation, tumors, cysts, the onset of prolapse or intrusion of foreign bodies. Therefore, if it is confirmed that the dog is not in heat and there is inflammation of the dog’s vulva or even blood loss in the female dog out of the heat, you must go to the veterinarian as soon as possible to obtain a diagnosis and establish the best treatment. Some of the causes can lead to the death of the female dog if not treated in time, so your quick action is vital for her.
In this article from Walkidoggy, we detail the most common causes of female dog vaginitis, or inflammation of the vulva in dogs, so that you can try to gather as much information as possible and go see your veterinarian. Read on and find out why your dog has an inflamed vulva.
Female vaginitis or inflammation of the vulva in female dogs
If your female dog has vulvar inflammation, blood loss, and is between 6 months and a year old, your female dog is probably experiencing her first heat. It is not an exact science, so there is no fixed age for all dogs, which makes it difficult to differentiate a so-called “normal” dogs vaginitis, due to the dogs heat, from the vaginitis of the dog out of heat at this age.
In fact, female vaginitis due to the first heat will often depend on the breed of your female dog. In general, for a toy or small dog breeds, heat will usually start around 6 months, for medium breeds between 7 and 13 months, while the large or giant dog breed can take up to 16 months from life.
In addition to observing blood loss in the female dog or inflammation of the vulva, namely a swollen vulva, the female dog in heat reveals other symptoms:
- She is more receptive to male dogs
- The female dog seeks the approach with the males during the walks
- The males approach excitedly to feel her private parts
- The vulva becomes darker
- Your dog often licks her vulva
If you have been able to confirm that your dog is not in heat and that there is, therefore, blood loss in the dog out of the heat, that there is vaginitis in the dog, either because of age, either because you are following her periods and she does not have them at that time, or because you feel her heat period is longer than expected, vulvar inflammation and bleeding may have other causes:
Cysts in the ovaries. Although there are several types of ovarian cysts in female dogs’s depending on their nature, the most common are functional cysts. These cysts cause a constant state of estrus, that is to say, to put it vulgarly, it is as if the female dog were in permanent heat. Thus, if after 40 days from the first bleeding, the dog continues with inflammation of the vulva and blood loss out of heat, it is recommended to go to the veterinarian to carry out the necessary tests and confirm or refute the presence of an ovarian cyst in the dog.
Tumors in the ovaries. Although cysts are more common in female dogs under 5 years old, tumors tend to develop in dogs over 5 years old. Also, some ovarian tumors also develop into cysts, so both causes are possible. They are not very common in dogs, but if you suspect you should see your vet to examine the dog, as depending on the tumor and the condition she is in, the treatment and life expectancy of the animal may vary.
Remnant ovaries syndrome. As for the previous problems, it is manifested by permanent heat in the female dog but, in this case, in sterilized dogs. During spraying, some of the ovarian tissue was trapped in the abdominal cavity, producing blood loss and other signs of heat such as inflammation of the vulva in the female dog.
Pyometra in the female dog. It is a uterine infection that presents, as its main symptom, the secretion of mucus which can be accompanied by blood, that is to say, a white discharge in the female dog accompanied by a loss of blood. If the dog reaches this point it is likely that the condition will be advanced and you should go to the vet immediately. It differs from other causes because the substance excreted is much thicker, transparent, whitish, or bloody. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed urgently in order to save the animal’s life. There is also a presence of vaginitis in the female dog.
Presence of foreign bodies. If a foreign body enters the dogs’s vaginal cavity and causes injuries, either in the vagina or in the vulva, it is usual for the dog to have vaginitis, she may have a swollen vulva even if she is a spayed dog discharge whiteheads and even blood loss.
Vaginitis and loss of blood in the female dog out of the heat. When the heat has been completely removed and the dog has inflammation of the vulva but there is no blood loss, the causes may also be related to the presence of infections, inflammations, conditions, or serious diseases. Here are the most common causes of a female dog’s vulva being inflamed without blood loss and out of heat.
Female vaginitis. This is called inflammation of the vagina or vaginitis of the dog, which can be caused by multiple factors, the most common being the presence of urinary or uterine infections (viral or bacterial), birth defects, or intrusion of foreign bodies. The main sign is inflammation of the dog’s vulva or vaginal vestibule, and depending on the underlying cause, the dog may exhibit other symptoms such as discharge of pus or mucus, itching, excessive licking, etc.
Uterine prolapse. It is distinguished by showing the swollen vulva and a small bump sticking out through the hole. As the prolapse progresses, the inflammation of the vulva increases in size and the dog’s condition worsens, appearing decayed, listless… Your veterinarian should be consulted at the first sign in order to act and save the animal’s life. Usually, it occurs in dogs that have given birth one or more times, but it can also occur in dogs that have never been pregnant before.
Vaginal prolapse. At first glance, the physical signs are the same as those of uterine prolapse, so only the veterinarian can diagnose the type of prolapse and the treatment. Although it usually occurs in female dogs that have given birth or, in some cases, during pregnancy, it can also develop in dogs that have never been pregnant.
Infection of the uterus (womb) or infection of the ovaries. As we saw in the previous section, the pyometra does not always bleed, so if you see the vulva swollen and the secretion of pus or a thick discharge, you should consult a specialist to check if it is this pathology and start treatment.
Trauma. It is caused by a blow or injury which, in addition to showing the dog’s vulva inflamed, can cause bleeding.
Female dog vaginitis with swollen and red vulva
Normally, when a female dog has a swollen, red, or irritated vulva, it is due to an allergic reaction or contact dermatitis. It is caused by hypersensitivity of the skin to direct contact with one or more specific substances.
Chemicals are the main allergens, but they are not the only ones, everyday accessories such as the pet’s collar, toys or bed can also develop contact dermatitis. So, if you have just changed your dogs’s mattress and she begins to exhibit the above symptoms (inflammation, redness, and irritation of the vulva), as well as itching, excessive licking, and loss of hair from the affected area, this condition is likely to cause problems. On the other hand, she can develop the same signs in other equally sensitive areas, such as the rest of the mucous membranes (gums and eyelids), so it is not surprising that she scratches her eyes or muzzle in order to relieve its itching.
Vulvar inflammation and redness in dog’s can also be due to very advanced vaginal hyperplasia. It usually develops in dogs under 5 years old that have not been neutered due to an overreaction of tissues to estrogen. The inflammation worsens if the problem is not treated, and may show an excessively inflamed and red vulva. Hyperplasia can also be caused by vaginal prolapse, so a visit to the vet is mandatory as soon as the first symptoms are noticed.
female dog with swollen and pregnant vulva
When a female dog is pregnant and near the time of delivery, she tends to show tender inflammation of the vulva and even blood loss in some cases. This sign can appear about two or three days before the puppies are born and is usually accompanied by other signs such as preparing the nest or a nervous and restless attitude. To see if this is really the reason, do not hesitate to go to your veterinarian. Remember that gestation lasts between 59 and 67 days, so if your puppy is in this period, start preparing for the arrival of the little ones!
If your pregnant dog has an inflamed vulva and there’s still a long way to go before giving birth because you’ve been monitoring her pregnancy closely, there may be a vaginal prolapse. This condition is rare and can only be diagnosed and treated by your specialist, you must consult him as soon as possible.
This article is purely informative, on walkidoggy we do not have the skills to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to take your animal to the veterinarian if it shows symptoms of feverishness or illness.
