If you’re a dog owner, you should have a good understanding of your pet’s health. A common condition in female dogs is vaginitis, which is inflammation of the vaginal area. If your dog has vaginitis, treatment is necessary to get your dog feeling back to normal. Here’s everything you need to know about vaginitis in dogs:

What is Vaginitis in Dogs?

Vaginitis in dogs means there is inflammation of the vagina and the surrounding tissue. Vaginitis typically causes redness, itching, and swelling, and there may be discharge. There are two types of vaginitis, puppy vaginitis and adult-onset vaginitis.

Puppy vaginitis can occur in female dogs before they hit puberty and it typically clears up on its own after their first heat cycle. Adult-onset vaginitis can affect any female dog, spayed or unspayed. This type of vaginitis will require treatment.

What Causes Vaginitis in Dogs?

There can be quite a few causes of vaginitis because many factors can lead to vaginitis. Vaginitis is most often caused by bacterial infections. Bacteria tends to grow quickly in warm and moist areas, like the vaginal area. Other causes can include yeast infections, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections (UTI), viral and fungal infections, cancer, tumors, and anatomical abnormalities.

Other causes can be foreign bodies like dirt or other matter entering the vagina. Vaginitis may also be caused by unbalanced hormones or medications like steroids that alter or produce hormones. Vaginal trauma (often from mating) can also be another cause of vaginitis.

Symptoms of Vaginitis in Dogs

A dog experiencing vaginitis can exhibit a few different symptoms. The most common symptoms include a red and swollen vaginal area, which the dog will start licking or rubbing to try and get some relief from the itching.

There may be some discharges of mucus and pus, and in some rare cases, blood. A dog with vaginitis will probably need more bathroom breaks than normal. Some of these are symptoms you should never ignore in your dog and you should have your vet check out your dog.

How is Vaginitis in Dogs Diagnosed?

If you think your dog may have vaginitis, you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. They’ll perform an exam, focusing on the vaginal area. They will probably need to look inside the vagina using a scope to make the right diagnosis. The vet will collect a urine sample for a urinalysis as well as a sample of the vaginal discharge.

The vaginal discharge sample will be examined with a microscope to find any signs of infections, inflammation, or other abnormalities. Depending on what these results show, further tests for bacterial or other causes may be required.

How to Treat Vaginitis in Dogs

If a dog has been diagnosed with vaginitis, treatment will depend on the severity of the vaginitis as well as the underlying cause. Common treatments can include antibiotics to treat any infections like UTIs and medications to help relieve pain and reduce swelling.

If there is a tumor, cyst, or foreign body present, surgery may be necessary. Surgery may also be necessary in order to correct an anatomical abnormality. Any dog diagnosed and treated for vaginitis will need to wear an Elizabethan collar or cone to prevent any licking. This is a helpful way to care for your dog after surgery because licking the area can delay healing and cause even more problems.

What is the Prognosis For Dogs With Vaginitis?

Thankfully, most of the cases of vaginitis tend to be relatively mild and with proper treatment, resolve. It’s also necessary to make sure any underlying causes are treated. If the vaginitis is caused by a tumor, the prognosis will depend on a few factors such as the size of the tumor, if it’s cancerous, and if it can be removed safely without complications.

How to Prevent Vaginitis in Dogs

There are a few things that can help prevent vaginitis in dogs. One of the most important things to do is to make sure the vaginal area is clean as much as possible. This is a lot easier in dogs that have short fur. However, a dog with longer fur, an older dog, or a dog with a vaginal or rectal anatomical abnormality may need some extra help.

One of the best ways to keep that area clean is by keeping the fur trimmed. It might also be necessary to clean the area after your dog pees or poops. Using a baby wipe is a great way to clean the area of any urine or fecal matter.

Routine wellness checkups are also helpful in preventing vaginitis because these routine exams may reveal minor signs of vaginitis before you notice any symptoms in your dog.

This is an overview of everything you need to know about vaginitis in dogs. Just remember that with appropriate medication and treatment, most cases can be cleared up quickly! If you suspect your dog has vaginitis, schedule an appointment with your vet so your dog can get on the road to recovery!