Dogs are prone to many of the same health problems as humans. We’re both mammals, and as such, we share a lot more similarities than many people suspect. That means dogs can experience similar issues as humans – even in their nether regions, which is the case with puppy vaginitis.
Puppy vaginitis is a form of inflammation that affects the vagina of young puppies. It is the same as vaginitis experienced by older dogs except this particular case occurs when dogs are between 1.5 to 8 months old.
Fortunately, the problem generally disappears on its own as puppies become sexually mature. However, this isn’t always the case and some dogs require additional treatment.
Symptoms of Puppy Vaginitis
A lot of puppies don’t actually show any obvious symptoms of vaginitis aside from a swollen vagina, which can be difficult to identify.
Some puppies, however, do experience certain symptoms. These can include:
- Discharge in the genital region, which may be sticky, cloudy, or discolored (generally white or yellow)
- Crusty or brittle hair around the vagina
- Excessive licking of the genital region
- Irritation, red skin, and inflammation (which may result from their excess licking).
These symptoms may occur consistently or they may come and go over the course of the condition. In more serious cases, symptoms can persist for several months.
Does Puppy Vaginitis Require Treatment?
Puppy vaginitis is a pretty common condition, and many puppies overcome the problem without veterinary treatment. However, it’s always a good idea to have your vet check out your puppy.
While it’s not common, vaginitis can turn into a more serious condition. Or, the symptoms described above may actually reflect another health problem that could cause vomiting or other issues. Similar symptoms might be seen if your dog has a bladder infection, urinary tract problems, an abnormally developed vulva, or some foreign material causing an infection.
These issues may or may not require surgery, and considering how similar they can seem to vaginitis, it’s worth taking your puppy in for a checkup. If your dog requires additional surgery for something like Cherry Eye, you can deal with both issues at once.
That said, these problems are generally much less common. Vaginitis, alone, will generally go away on its own and doesn’t require medical treatment.
These tips will help you understand how to manage and overcome puppy vaginitis.
- Puppy vaginitis goes away with time, which means you’re just going to have to be patient.
- As your puppy undergoes its first estrus cycle reaching the beginning of sexual maturity, the vaginitis usually works itself out.
- Make sure to practice good hygiene by keeping your puppy’s vaginal area clean. Use things like wet wipes or, if you don’t have any, some dampened paper towels.
Basically, it’s a matter of patience and helping to make sure your puppy remains comfortable by keeping them clean.
Conclusion
Puppy vaginitis is a common condition that generally doesn’t require treatment. However, it shares a number of symptoms with more serious problems that could require treatment.
If you’re unsure, the best option is to take your puppy to the vet. This way you’ll be able to make sure that they’re healthy, happy, and safe.
