VP Client Information Sheets By VIN Community Contributors

Puppy vaginitis is a sticky, cloudy, white or yellowish vaginal discharge. Puppy vaginitis usually occurs in puppies that are six weeks to about 8 months of age. Episodes can occur intermittently, and can last for weeks to months.

Most puppies don’t show any signs, but others may lick their vulva a lot and develop perivulvar dermatitis. Sometimes the haircoat outside the vagina gets crusty. Some puppies have a lot of discharge and some don’t. Cytologic examination of the discharge will show suppurative inflammation. Your veterinarian will need to perform enough diagnostics to rule out more significant causes of vulvar discharge and feel comfortable with the diagnosis of benign puppy vaginitis.

While other causes (a bladder infection or an anatomical abnormality) of vaginal discharge in puppies call for medical treatment, basic puppy vaginitis is more an annoyance than a medical concern. The important thing is to differentiate between puppy vaginitis and a more serious problem.

Treatment of puppy vaginitis is mainly time and patience. You can remove globs of discharge with a wet baby wipe to keep the vulvar area clean. Douching, antibiotics, or a lot of diagnostics are not appropriate for a puppy that has no symptoms other than discharge. Puppy vaginitis usually goes away on its own, once the dog reaches puberty. Your veterinarian will advise what is best in your puppy’s case.

Date Published: 12/11/2006 9:00:00 AM