Vaginal Discharge in Dogs

Vaginal discharge in dogs is broadly any type of liquid material that comes from the vulva of a canine female. But, these liquids can vary in terms of appearance and color, and could be an indication of a health issue.

Common types of dog vaginal discharge can be clear and watery, bloody, have mucus in it — such as a clear jelly discharge from a female dog — or be purulent, which is a kind of pus-like fluid. If you see a yellow discharge from a female dog, it’s likely to contain pus.

A clinically significant or abnormal vaginal discharge in dogs is a disruption of the natural fluids produced by the body to clean the vagina. These types of discharge can signal different conditions, such as infection, physical abnormality, trauma or reproductive issues. This may indicate an infection, injury or foreign body in the vagina. Additionally, it may also signal a secondary infection of the urinary tract.

Don’t ignore a female dog discharge; schedule a visit with your veterinarian as soon as possible if you notice your dog behaving unusually. As well as dog vaginal discharge, there are other signs that can indicate a problem — and we’ll look at typical symptoms here, too.

There may be some obvious symptoms of a female dog’s discharge, but other signs can be a little more subtle.

These are the key indicators you should be aware of:

• Bloody, mucoid (a clear jelly discharge from a female dog) purulent (a yellow discharge from a female dog) or watery discharge from the vagina.
• Bloody or very cloudy urine
• Difficulty holding urine
• Excessive urination
• Fever
• Behavior changes
• Reduction in appetite
• Dragging their hindquarters — known as ‘scooting’
• Licking the affected area
• Experiencing urinary incontinence
  

Some of these symptoms are also common signs of other health issues in dogs, so get in touch to discuss any concerns with your vet.

To recap, the different types of dog vaginal discharge are:

• Mucoid (thick or grayish)
• Purulent (containing pus)
• Bloody (black, red or brown)
• Watery (clear and thin)

A number of factors can cause a female dog to experience a discharge. Some of the most common causes can include:

• Trauma to the vagina or uterus
• Infection of urinary tract and/or vagina
• Cancer of the pelvic region
• Physical defect (e.g. fistula) involving the uterus or vagina
• Later end of the estrus cycle
• Pyometra – an infection of the uterus
• A loss of pregnancy – miscarriage
• Vaginal inflammation

There are many reasons for a dog’s vaginal discharge to appear, some of them benign and others more serious. So, don’t be alarmed by the sudden presence of a female dog’s discharge — but do schedule a visit with the veterinarian. It's important to take quick action and not a ‘wait and see’ attitude.

To help your vet reach a diagnosis, be prepared to give a medical history to the veterinarian, including any medications, surgeries or breeding activities, including whether your pet has been spayed. Note any sexual involvement with other dogs, regardless of whether breeding was intentional or possible.

The veterinarian will make a physical examination of your dog, checking for fever and signs of illness as well as examining the vulva and vagina for trauma, signs of infection, or an abnormality. Heightened vaginal discharge after estrus (“heat”) in an intact dog (a female dog that has not been spayed) can be normal and may appear bloody.

This is also normal for a number of days after an animal has given birth. However, if the bleeding and/or discharge persists, this could be a sign of a problem. 

In cases of infection, a blood test may be performed to gauge the severity of the infection via white blood cell count, and to make sure the infection has not spread to the blood to cause septicemia (life-threatening blood poisoning).

Ultrasound is an easily-portable technology that can provide medical images in even a small veterinarian’s office, and is non-invasive and inexpensive. However, more detailed images may need to be taken via X-ray or MRI, which are larger machines and require referral to a specialist.  

Sometimes, the urinary tract and vagina can cross-contaminate infections, leading to bloody or very cloudy urine and purulent discharge from the vulva. A sample of this discharge can be taken for culturing to identify the pathogen.

Cancers of the vagina, uterus, and ovary can cause a variety of discharges and secondary infections, and your veterinarian may choose to ultrasound your pet’s pelvic region to look for masses.

The treatment for a female dog discharge will vary depending on the underlying condition. For example, estrus-linked discharge usually clears up after the cycle ends, but infections will need medical attention, including antibiotics and possible surgery to drain and clean the infection site. This may require a hysterectomy on intact dogs or additional resection to animals that have been spayed.

If the underlying cause of your dog’s vaginal discharge is cancer — an obviously serious condition — your pet will follow a treatment plan according to the type, progression and location of the tumor.

This may include chemotherapy, surgical intervention, or radiation therapy. Other abnormalities, such as a fistula (linkage between rectum and vagina) will need to be repaired surgically as well.

The recovery of your dog will depend on the condition causing the discharge. Most infections are easily treated with antibiotics and cleaning of the area while more stubborn infections may need surgical cleaning and/or draining.

Cancers vary widely in their recovery rates, so ask the veterinarian about treatment options and life expectancy. Surgery to repair a defect or trauma is usually successful provided post-surgical care instructions are followed, and the pet is kept from chewing the area.

Depending on the cause, vaginal discharge can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your dog has vaginal discharge or is at risk, use Wag! Compare to start searching for pet insurance today.

Paying for your pet’s routine vaccinations, bloodwork and tests can also be difficult to budget for. Fortunately, Wag! Wellness plans cover costs for routine care for your pet. Compare wellness plan packages to find the right plan for your pet!