Hypoplastic (Recessed) Vulva in Dogs

Hypoplastic (Recessed) Vulva in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What is Hypoplastic (Recessed) Vulva?

All female dogs can have a hypoplastic vulva but medium to giant sized dog breeds have been shown to be at a higher risk.  Breeds that tend to suffer from inflammatory skin diseases are also at a higher risk of developing hypoplastic vulvas. 

A hypoplastic or recessed vulva in dogs is when the female has large skin folds that are covering the vulva. This condition makes female dogs highly prone to perivulvar dermatitis and urinary tract infections. This condition may be not noticeable to pet owners, but will need to be checked and treated by a veterinarian.

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Hypoplastic (Recessed) Vulva Average Cost

From 491 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,500

Average Cost

$600

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Symptoms of Hypoplastic (Recessed) Vulva in Dogs

If you notice your dog exhibiting any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian and schedule an appointment for a thorough examination.

  • Scooting across floors 
  • Excessive licking of the vulva
  • Foul odor from the vulva
  • Frequently urinating
  • Blood in the urine
  • Red, irritated skin on or around the vulva
  • Recurring urinary tract infections
  • Incontinence
  • Abomal looking vulva

Your veterinarian will need to know what symptoms your dog has been exhibiting and if any environmental changes have occurred. This will help your veterinarian make a complete diagnosis and make an appropriate treatment plan.

Causes of Hypoplastic (Recessed) Vulva in Dogs

Genetics can play a role in dogs with hypoplastic vulvas. Breeds more prone to allergic skin diseases or inflammatory skin diseases are at a higher risk of suffering from severe skin infections associated with hypoplastic vulva. 

Weight is another contributing factor. Female dogs that maintain a normal, healthy body weight will be less likely to have a severe case of hypoplastic vulva. If your dog is more prone to being obese, the severity of the hypoplastic vulva will increase. Giant breeds, in particular, need to be kept on the leaner side if they have already been diagnosed with hypoplastic vulva.

Diagnosis of Hypoplastic (Recessed) Vulva in Dogs

Your veterinarian will do an initial physical examination and then will run various tests to diagnose hypoplastic vulva in your dog. A physical examination will allow your veterinarian to rule out other possibilities while confirming that the vulva is recessed under a fold of skin and is not visible upon a cursory examination. 

Your veterinarian will order several tests to ensure that a proper diagnosis has been made and determine the severity of the condition.

  • Complete blood analysis
  • Urinalysis
  • Urine culture 
  • Ultrasound of the bladder

Once your veterinarian has determined the severity of the hypoplastic vulva, a treatment plan will be put in place.

Treatment of Hypoplastic (Recessed) Vulva in Dogs

Treatment options will vary depending on the severity of the hypoplastic vulva. One or more treatment options may be used to alleviate symptoms and correct the recessed vulva. While surgical treatment is the only option to remove the excessive folds around the vulva, medications can be used to relieve symptoms and treat UTIs.

Topical Antibiotics

Vulvar fold dermatitis is often treated with a topical antibiotic or drying agent to provide relief of any itching or burning sensation that your dog is experiencing. Buster collars are used to ensure medicine is not licked off and to prevent further self-trauma via licking.

Oral Antibiotics

Inflamed tissue on or around the vulva can be treated with an oral antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medication. This will treat the symptoms but will not cure a hypoplastic vulva.

Episioplasty

Surgical treatment, called episioplasty, is a reconstructive surgery that will remove the extra folds of skin around the vulva. A crescent shaped incision is made around the vulva and the excess skin is removed.

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Recovery of Hypoplastic (Recessed) Vulva in Dogs

The recovery time will vary depending upon the severity of the hypoplastic vulva. Each surgery will be different depending on the size and location of the extra folds, and the number of sutures will also vary. Activity should be restricted for the first two weeks following surgery and sutures will be removed 10-14 days following surgery, depending on how well the wound is healing. 

Always follow your veterinarian’s treatment plan as directed. All medications should be used as prescribed. Complete the required follow-up visits to ensure that your dog is healing properly.

Following episioplasty surgery, your dog’s prognosis should be excellent. Problems can arise if an inadequate amount of skin was removed; this can cause persistent perivulvar dermatitis. If too much kin was removed, we may see rupture of the wound due to tension.

Hypoplastic (Recessed) Vulva Average Cost

From 491 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,500

Average Cost

$600

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Hypoplastic (Recessed) Vulva Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

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Rottweiler

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6 months

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31 found this helpful

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31 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Frequent Urination
Our Rott is 6 mos old & been on 5 consecutive 2 week courses of antibiotics for UTIs. She was diagnosed with recessed vulva which COULD resolve after her 1st heat. BUT she may not go into heat until 12+ mo's & we don't want to keep her on antibiotics that long. Also told issues MIGHT resolve once she's spayed & she COULD have ectopic ureter. What are dangers of dog being on antibiotics too long? At what age is it safe to have her spayed w/out danger to her health later? NOTE: She no longer has incontinence/leaking. Only recurrent frequent urination w/in 2-3 days off antibiotic. Thoughts?

Sept. 29, 2020

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

31 Recommendations

Thank you for your question. I understand what you are describing, but I think I might have a second opinion at this point. One thing that can help in dogs with recessed vulvas is to use an antibacterial wipe around the area after urinating or defecating, and keep that area really clean. Some dogs do outgrow that problem, so it does make sense to wait a little bit to spay her until she is bigger, but I agree, I would not want her on continual antibiotics as a puppy. I hope that everything goes well for her.

Oct. 1, 2020

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Mixed breed mastiff /staffy,/ridge back

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Three Years

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2 found this helpful

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2 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Smelly Brown Discharge
My desexed dog has a brown discharge that smells like rotting fish

Sept. 27, 2020

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

2 Recommendations

Thank you for your question. I am sorry for the delay, this platform is not set up for urgent emails. Dogs can get urinary tract infections, or infections of the remaining uterine tissue. It would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine her, see what might be going on, and get treatment for her so that the problem resolves.

Oct. 10, 2020

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Hypoplastic (Recessed) Vulva Average Cost

From 491 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,500

Average Cost

$600

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