There are two types of vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina) that can occur in female dogs: juvenile or puppy vaginitis, and adult-onset vaginitis
There are many potential causes of canine vaginitis, but the most common is a bacterial urinary tract infection. Others include yeast and viruses, foreign bodies in the vagina, trauma, vaginal abscesses or tumors, hyperplasia, and steroid therapy
In puppies and juvenile dogs with vaginitis, typically no treatment is required as the condition resolves on its own; treatment of adult-onset vaginitis depends on the cause
In all dogs with vaginitis, a broad-spectrum non-diary probiotic can help keep opportunistic bacteria levels in check
If juvenile vaginitis progresses to chronic adult vaginitis, immunoglobulin testing should be performed to check the dog’s innate immune function
Vaginitis is inflammation of the vagina, and there are two types in dogs:
Juvenile or puppy vaginitis, which occurs in female puppies and dogs that have not reached puberty. Most dogs with this form of vaginitis have few if any symptoms. There might be some whitish-yellow discharge from the vulva, and some dogs lick at the area.
Adult-onset vaginitis, which is much more common in spayed adult dogs. The most common symptom is vulvar discharge that can be mild or severe. Other symptoms include licking the vulva, frequent urination, urinary incontinence, and attraction of male dogs to the female dog.
Sometimes dogs have a secondary or even primary condition like diabetes or liver disease that makes the vaginitis worse.
The most common cause of vaginitis in dogs is a bacterial urinary tract infection which may or may not be the result of constriction of the vagina caused by a conformational abnormality.
If your dog has a bladder infection, the urine contains lots of bacteria. When the infected urine passes through the vagina, the bacteria can colonize the vagina, leading to inflammation and infection. So, a urinary tract infection can lead to a secondary vaginal infection.
Another cause of vaginitis in dogs is the presence of urine on the vaginal mucosa, which has a caustic, irritating effect. Since all female dogs urinate by passing urine through the vagina, but not every dog gets vaginitis, it’s assumed there is something abnormal about the urine itself, such as a pH problem, urinary crystals, or a urinary outflow issue.
In dogs with urinary incontinence, there is chronic leaking of small amounts of urine from the bladder out of the body. The urine may be in contact with the vaginal lining much of the time and lead to urine scalding, tissue inflammation, and a secondary localized infection.
Vaginitis can also occur from bacteria, yeast and viruses that get transferred to the vagina when a dog cleans herself after pooping. The rectum and vagina are very close in proximity, and cross-contamination can occur through licking the area. Vaginal yeast infections can also occur in dogs who are on prolonged antibiotic therapy or are immunocompromised.
Other causes of the condition include viral infections (including the herpes virus), foreign bodies in the vagina, trauma to the vagina, vaginal abscesses or tumors, hyperplasia of the vagina, steroid therapy, and zinc poisoning.
Female dogs with recessed vulvas can also have recurrent issues with vaginitis. When you look at a female dog from behind, the tip of the vulva should be visible — it’s shaped like an upside-down teardrop. Some dogs with excessive perivulvar fat or a vulva that is tucked up high, which is called a hooded vulva, can have a predisposition to vaginitis because the surrounding skin creates a ripe environment for secondary yeast and bacterial infections.
Female puppies and juvenile dogs often have underdeveloped, very small vulvas that are tucked up, or “recessed”. As their bodies mature and sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) are produced during puberty, external genitalia also mature, allowing the vulva to drop into a normal, healthy position.
In female puppies spayed prior to having a heat cycle (usually before 6 months of age), the vulva can remain too small and can lead to lifelong, recurrent vaginitis issues. Electing to have your dog receive a hysterectomy or ovary sparing spay (which accomplishes the goal of sterilization but keeps critical maturation hormones flowing and encourages the vulva to “drop”) can often prevent this frustrating condition.
Finally, some cases of vaginitis involve inflammation or irritation without infection. There can be several causes for this, including sensitivity to a shampoo or other cleaning agent that’s irritating to the vulva.
Topical irritation of the vulva from shampoos, detergents, cleaning agents, and other solutions can lead to secondary vaginitis. In addition, some dog owners insist on wiping their dog’s vulva after urination. The wiping action can induce vaginitis from the constant disinfecting of this very delicate tissue.
Diagnostic tests for juvenile and adult-onset vaginitis are the same and can include a cytologic examination of vaginal discharge and cells of the vagina, vaginal and urine bacterial culture and sensitivity tests, a urinalysis to check for pH issues and urinary crystals, and a manual vaginal exam.
A vaginoscopy can also be performed, which involves passing a scope into the vagina to check for abnormalities such as a stricture (narrowing) of the vaginal vault or vaginal septa, which are walls of tissue within the vagina. This procedure can also assess discharge present in the vagina, vesicular lesions or lymphoid follicles, urine pooling, and polyps, cysts, masses/cancer, or foreign objects in the vagina.
A blood chemistry profile, complete blood count and an electrolyte panel will also be run. If the dog has adult-onset vaginitis, she should be tested for canine brucellosis. Sometimes an ultrasound is also recommended to look for tumors, foreign bodies, or bladder or tissue changes associated with the cervix or reproductive organs.
If your dog is diagnosed with juvenile or puppy vaginitis, usually no treatment is required because the condition almost always resolves spontaneously with the first heat. In dogs with vaginitis who will be spayed, it makes sense to wait until after the first or second estrous (heat) cycle to perform the procedure (a hysterectomy can be performed at any time as it won’t induce hormonal imbalances).
I don’t recommend spaying puppies with recessed vulvas until they’ve had at least one estrous cycle, which usually completely eliminates the risk of vaginitis. And again, consider a “modified spay,” which leaves the important sex hormones intact while still accomplishing sterility.
Treatment of adult-onset vaginitis depends on the cause. Appropriate antimicrobial therapy (based on a culture and sensitivity test) will be given to resolve a bacterial infection in the urinary tract and/or the vagina.
It is very important to treat the bacterial infection with the correct antibiotic. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics can promote the growth of additional types of bacteria in the vagina and can actually exacerbate opportunistic yeast infections (this is one of the most common reasons I see adult-onset vaginitis).
If the cause of the vaginitis is urinary incontinence, this condition must be treated first in order to resolve the issue. Treatment for urine dribbling depends on the cause. In spayed female dogs, it is almost always hormone-deficiency related.
If there is systemic disease present such as diabetes or Cushing's, those conditions will require treatment to resolve the vaginitis or prevent a recurrence.
In all cases of vaginitis, I recommend a broad-spectrum non-diary probiotic be administered to help keep opportunistic bacteria levels in check. If a case of puppy vaginitis turns into a chronic case of adult vaginitis, immunoglobulin testing should be performed to check the dog’s innate immune function. Many dogs with IgA deficiency have recurrent opportunistic infections.
Healthypets Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian or doctor. Dr. Karen Becker cannot answer specific questions about your pet's medical issues or make medical recommendations for your pet without first establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Your pet's medical protocol should be given by your holistic veterinarian.
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