Three problems of the canine vagina and vulva turn up again and again: vaginitis in puppies and adults, vaginal hyperplasia (often called vaginal prolapse) in bitches in heat, and a recessed vulva that keeps the area wet and infected. Each one is managed differently, so the first step is to sort the dog by age, neuter status and stage of the estrous cycle.
Key facts
Vaginal disorders (vaginitis, juvenile vaginitis, prolapse) at a glance- Species and system: female dogs; reproductive and lower urinary tract.
- Juvenile vaginitis: bitches under 1 year; scant sticky discharge in an otherwise well puppy; most recover with or without treatment.
- Adult vaginitis: after the first estrus, usually in spayed bitches; nearly always secondary to a predisposing problem that must be found.
- Vaginal hyperplasia: edematous vaginal floor tissue protruding during proestrus or estrus in an intact bitch; three types; usually regresses as estrus ends and does not recur after complete ovariohysterectomy.
- Recessed vulva: vulva hidden by skin folds; perivulvar dermatitis, UTI and vaginitis; corrected by vulvoplasty (episioplasty).
- Zoonotic or reportable: not as such, but Brucella canis, a zoonotic and in some places reportable organism, is a rare cause of vaginal discharge and should be considered.
What's inside
11 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Functional anatomy
- Vaginitis
- Vaginal hyperplasia (vaginal fold prolapse)
- Recessed vulva and episioplasty
- Differential diagnoses
- Prevention
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 6 tables, 3 figures, 3 self-test questions and 12 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.