My dog ​​has a swollen vulva

A dog can have a swollen vulva for something as simple as the arrival of heat, or for serious causes such as the presence of infections, vaginal inflammation, tumors, cysts, prolapse principle or the intrusion of foreign bodies.Therefore, if it is confirmed that the dog is not in heat , you should 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 dog if they are not treated in time, so your quick action is vital for her.

In this article of Animals and Pets Online we detail the most common causes of vulvitis, or inflammation of the vulva, so that you try to collect all the possible information and go to the specialist.Keep reading and discover why your dog has the inflamed vulva .

My dog ​​has a swollen vulva and bleeds

If your dog has its swollen parts, it bleeds and, in addition, it is between 6 months and one year old, with total probability it is experiencing its first heat .This is not a Exact science and, therefore, there is no fixed age for all female dogs.In general, those of small or large size usually start this period over 6 months, those of medium or large size between 7 and 13 months, while that the giant breed can take up to 16 months of age.

In addition to observing slight or noticeable bleeding, and inflammation of the vulva, the dog in heat reveals other symptoms:

• She is more receptive to males.
• Seeks the approach with males during the walks.
• The males approach with excitement to smell their intimate parts.
• The vulva becomes darker.
• The vulva licks a lot.

If you have been able to confirm that your dog is not jealous, good for age or because you keep track of the period and all It does not touch you, or you have the feeling that your zeal lengthens more than the count, the inflammation of the vulva and bleeding may be due to other causes :

• Ovarian cysts .Although there are several types of ovarian cysts that exist depending on their nature, the most common are the functional ones.These cysts cause a constant state of estrus, that is, in the eyes of the tutors it is as if the dog was in permanent heat.So, if after 40 days after the first bleeding the dog continues with the inflamed vulva and bleeds, it is advisable to go to the veterinarian to perform the relevant tests and confirm or rule out the presence of cysts.
• Ovarian tumors .While cysts are more common in female dogs less than 5 years of age, tumors usually develop in dogs that exceed that number.same, some ovarian tumors also develop cysts, so it is possible that both c happen ausas.Not used to be very common in bitches, however, in case of any suspicion you should go to the specialist to examine the dog, since depending on the tumor and the state in which it is found, treatment and life expectancy of the animal may vary.
• Remaining ovarian syndrome .As with the above problems, it is shown as permanent zeal but, in this case, in sterilized bitches.During sterilization , a part of the ovarian tissue was trapped in the abdominal cavity, causing bleeding and other signs of jealousy.
• Pyometra .It is a uterine infection that presents, as main symptoms, the mucus secretion that may be accompanied by blood.If the dog reaches this point, the condition will probably be in an advanced state and you should go to the veterinarian immediately.It differs from the rest of the causes because the excreted substance is much thicker, transp are white, whitish or bloody.It is a serious problem that must be addressed urgently to save the animal's life.
• Presence of foreign bodies .If a foreign body penetrates the The dog's vaginal cavity and causes lesions, whether in the vagina or vulva, it is usual for the dog to have its swollen parts and blood.

My Bitch has the inflamed vulva and is not in heat

When the heat has been completely discarded and the dog has an inflamed vulva but does not bleed, the causes may also be related to the presence of infections, inflammation, conditions or serious illnesses.Next, we explain the causes most frequent inflammation of the vulva of a bitch without bleeding.

• Vaginitis .It is also known as inflammation of the vagina, and can occur due to multiple factors, the most common being the presence of urinary or uterine infections (viral or bacterial), congenital malformations or intrusion of foreign bodies.The main sign is the inflammation of the vulva or vaginal vestibule of the dog, and depending on the underlying cause the animal It can present other symptoms such as the secretion of pus or mucus, itching, excessive licking, etc.
• Uterine prolapse .It is distinguished by showing the inflamed vulva and a small lump that comes out the hole.As the prolapse advances, the bulge increases its size and the state of the dog worsens, showing decay, apathy...You should go to the veterinarian at the first sign to be able to act and save the life of the animal.In general, it occurs in dogs that have given birth once or several times, however, it can also occur in dogs that have never experienced a pregnancy before.
• Vaginal prolapse .At first glance, the physical signs are the same as we show them by uterine prolapse, so that only the veterinarian can diagnose the type of prolapse and 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./li>
• Matrix (uterine) infection or ovarian infection .As we have seen in the previous section, the pyometra does not always show bleeding, so if the swollen vulva and the pus secretion or thick flow, you should go to the special ta to check if it is this pathology and start treatment.
• Trauma .It is caused by a blow or injury that, in addition to showing the vulva of the inflamed dog, can to cause bleeding.

The image shows a uterine prolapse.

My dog ​​has a swollen and red vulva

Normally, when a dog has a swollen and red or irritated vulva, it is due to an allergic reaction or a contact dermatitis .It is caused by hypersensitivity of the skin on contact Direct from one or several specific substances.Chemical products are the main allergens, however, they are not the only ones, and everyday objects such as the collar, toys or the bed of the animal can also develop contact dermatitis.Thus, if You have just changed your dog's mattress and it has begun to show the mentioned symptoms (inflamed, red and irritated vulva), in addition to itching, excessive licking and loss of hair from the affected area, this condition is likely to be the problem.On the other hand, it is possible that you 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 you scratch your eyes or snout with the intention of relieving the pruritus.

On the other On the other hand, inflammation of the vulva and redness may also be due to a vaginal pill in a very advanced state.It usually develops in female dogs less than 5 years old that have not been sterilized as a result of Excessive reaction of the tissue to estrogens.Inflammation worsens if the problem is not treated, being able to show an exaggeratedly inflamed and red vulva.Hyperplasia can also be produced by a vaginal prolapse, so that the visit to the veterinarian is mandatory as soon as the first symptoms are perceived.

My dog ​​is pregnant and has a swollen vulva

When a female dog is in a period of gestation and the time of delivery is approaching , she tends to have a noticeably inflamed vulva and even blood loss in some cases.sign may appear about two or three days before the birth of the puppies, and is usually accompanied by other signs such as the preparation of the nest or a nervous and agitated attitude.To see if this is really the reason, do not hesitate to go to the veterinarian.Keep in mind that a pregnancy lasts between 59 and 67 days, so if your dog is in this period, Start preparing the arrival of the little ones!

If your pregnant dog has a swollen vulva and there is still enough time for the moment of delivery because you have taken a rigorous control of her pregnancy, then it may be producing Vaginal prolapse.This condition is uncommon and can only be diagnosed and treated by the specialist, so you should go as soon as possible.

This article is merely informative, at Animals and Pets Online we have no power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in case you present any type d and condition or discomfort.

Bibliography

• Hermo, G.A.; Rimavicius, F.; Gonzalez, D. Tumors of the female reproductive system in dogs and cats (ovary and uterus) .National Council of Scientific and Technical Research.
• Esquivel Lacroix, C. Alterations of The dog's reproductive system .
• Carlos Sorribas, MV Most frequent reproductive diseases in the canine female .
• Avila Garcia, J.; Cruz Hernandez, GE Vaginal prolapse and uterine prolapse .Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
• Gonzalez, K. Hyperplasia and vaginal prolapse in bitches. Published in Argentine Veterinary Magazine.