Vaginitis in dogs: symptoms and treatment

Usually such a disease as vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina), young dogs suffer. As a rule, this disease occurs in combination with vulvitis and vestibulitis. If you notice that your dog is constantly licking the loop, with no estrus in it, then this is an occasion to turn to the veterinarian. Another sign that you need to go with a pet to the doctor is that a viscous liquid is released from the loop, which you can see on the furniture or on the carpet.

Causes

Vaginitis in dogs appears for various reasons. We will consider them now.

Usually juvenile vaginitis occurs in a dog that has not yet reached sexual maturity. The main reason at this time is a decrease in the norm of estrogens in the blood. Against the background of this disease, the resistance of the mucous genital tract to irritants from the outside is reduced. And this, in turn, certainly, facilitates the process of introduction and further reproduction of pathogenic microflora.

Outgoing inflammation of the uterus is also the cause of vaginitis in dogs.

The next cause of the disease is traumatization of the mucosa during sexual intercourse, during childbirth, during rough medical manipulations. Gateway for the penetration of pathogenic bacteria (enterococci, staphylococcus and others) is just the injured tissue.

Why does vaginitis occur in dogs? Such a disease can occur with reduced immunity of the animal against the background of stress, due to improper hygiene, unbalanced nutrition. Infection with worms can also provoke the appearance of vaginitis. Another reason is the improper use of antibiotics. Because of this, the normal microflora of the vagina is broken, dysbacteriosis appears, which leads to the appearance of vaginitis in dogs.

Bacteria can also enter the mucous membrane of the animal during mating.

Vaginitis in dogs: symptoms of the disease

Typical signs of this disease are edematous vulva, reddening of the mucous membrane. Another symptom is an inflammatory exudate from the loin of the dog. It can be of different colors (white, greenish, etc.).

Other signs of the disease:

• The wool around the genitals is glued together;
• Itching (there is scratching, as well as biting the vulva);
• The animal behaves restlessly;
• The appearance of blood or pus is not excluded;
• Sometimes there is an increase in temperature.

Forms of the disease, signs

The inflammatory process can take place in the form of catarrhal-purulent, phlegmonous, serous and diphtheritic vaginitis. Now we describe how each species manifests itself.

1. Phlegmonous type. From the vagina may emerge gray or brown with a clay smell. Remnants of different tissues are also possible.
2. Catarrhal vaginitis is shown by turbid, colorless and watery discharge. On the mucosa you can see hemorrhages and sores (small in size).
3. Serous appearance is characterized by yellow and translucent discharge.
4. Juvenile vaginitis in dogs. It is characterized by translucent discharge of cream color.
5. Chronic vaginitis manifests exudate of yellow color, its consistency resembles sour cream.
6. Diphtheric type can be determined by the following signs: blood discharge with an unpleasant odor, elevated temperature.
7. Purulent-catarrhal vaginitis is characterized by thick secretion with pus. On the mucosa you can see multiple erosions and ulcers.

Treatment of the disease. What methods are applied?

Of course, to begin to treat vaginitis in a dog should be as early as possible in order to avoid complications. But it is necessary to do this under the supervision of a veterinarian.

As a rule, juvenile vaginitis in dogs does not require treatment. It usually passes after the beginning of the first heat. Other veterinarians offer their own methods of treatment. It is necessary to enter three days of estrogen preparations in a reduced dosage (one injection requires an active substance from 0.1 to 0.6 mg).

Treatment of vaginitis in dogs with hormonal drugs is rarely used, since such measures do not always give a positive result, but a negative effect (hormonal imbalance may increase even more) is manifested in almost every case.

To determine the correct treatment, the dog takes a swab from the vagina. He is sent to the laboratory. There, various tests are conducted to determine the sensitivity of the obtained microflora to various antimicrobial agents. The results depend on the choice of drugs.

For sexually mature animals, local treatment is almost never used without general antibiotic therapy. These drugs are used at a high severity of the disease (with phlegmonous and diphtheritic form).

To stop the pathological process with purulent-catarrhal and catarrhal form, mucous membranes are applied to the mucous membranes, which possess anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties. To be convenient to apply the product, use a plastic spatula or a syringe.

To treat this disease, you can use prednisolone, streptocid, sintomycin, oxycortic ointment and others. What should be the dosage for a single dose? Five to ten milliliters.

Sometimes it is used to treat douching with a solution of "Furacilin", manganese or "Miramistin". The treatment must be carried out daily until the animal is fully recovered.

Prevention of the disease. What measures are applied?

For the prevention of disease it is worth following the following recommendations:

1. It is necessary to observe the elementary hygiene for the dog.
2. It is necessary to monitor the immunity of the animal.
3. It is proper and balanced to feed the pet.
4. It is necessary for the animal to have enough microelements and vitamins.
5. You only need to make a match with a fully healthy male.
6. It should be timely vaccinated.

Conclusion

Now you know what vaginitis is in dogs. We examined its types and symptoms. The topic of treatment was also touched upon. We hope that our article was useful to you.