Features of discharge in females
Both physiological and pathological secretions can be released from the loop.
Normal, that is, physiological secretions include clear or brown, non-smelly discharge. Their consistency is usually mucous, sometimes with bloody inclusions. They appear during estrus, during mating, a few days before birth and shortly after.
Healthy dog
Pathological discharge already includes opaque mucus, especially with admixtures of pus. Sometimes owners notice white discharge from the dog's loop. But, if you take a closer look, they have pronounced yellowish or greenish tints and a rich, unpleasant odor.
Symptoms
Despite the fact that the reproductive system has a complex structure, and different organs may be affected, inflammation is accompanied by approximately the same clinical picture.
The cat has bleeding on the second day after giving birth
In addition to discharge, the disease is accompanied by characteristic symptoms of inflammatory processes:
- Increased attention of the dog to the genitals. A pet, for example, licks the loop more often than usual due to itching or copious secretion.
- Frequent and uncontrollable urination – even an obedient dog can suddenly begin to urinate at home.
- Lethargy and refusal to walk.
- Increased body temperature.
- Weakness and heavy breathing.
- The stomach increases in volume.
- Depressed state.
- Thirst – your pet can drink an almost unlimited amount of liquid.
If one or more alarming symptoms appear, you cannot treat the dog yourself; you need to show it to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Important! If you contact a veterinarian too late, your pet may die.
How to properly control the behavior of a bitch and a dog
What to do and how to properly walk a current dog? First of all, carefully ensure that your pet is always nearby. Try not to let your dog off the leash without a reason and call him constantly. Keep in mind that the dog’s behavior has changed; the dog is weakly able to listen to commands.
A well-mannered pet rarely ignores the owner's commands. If we talk about a male dog, the dog must obey its owners unquestioningly. But on a walk you meet a lot of mongrels.
If you're worried about the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy, just remain extremely careful. Knowing the duration of the process, owners can control the process and protect the pet from attacks from strangers.
What kind of discharge is normal?
Discharge from a pregnant cat: bloody, yellow
Discharge from a dog’s loop does not necessarily indicate the development of pathological processes.
Animal in a depressed state
Physiological processes in which the secretion is not considered a pathology:
- Proestrus (precursor). The duration of discharge is about 7-10 days. This condition is also characterized by swelling of the genital organs due to the flow of blood to them. During this period, the female is still not ready for mating, since ovulation itself does not occur. But hormonal changes affect her behavior, she becomes more restless.
- Estrus (heat). This period is characterized by sexual heat and the beginning of ovulation. The biochemical composition of the secretions changes to attract the attention of dogs of the opposite sex. The nature of discharge differs among different breeds. In one dog, the discharge, for example, may be scanty and transparent, while in another it is profuse and light pink in color with patches of blood. During this period, females allow males to approach them for fertilization.
- Metaestrus (end of estrus). The loop begins to decrease in size, and the discharge goes away. The female stops allowing male dogs to approach her. If pregnancy does not occur, then the functioning of the organs of the reproductive system fades away.
- Anestrus (sexual rest). The duration of this period is on average 100-150 days. If estrus is too frequent or, on the contrary, rare, you should consult a doctor.
Discharge from the loop shortly before the onset of labor and for several days after the birth of puppies is considered normal.
Note! Bitches may experience a false pregnancy. Mostly this phenomenon goes away without a trace and on its own, but if lumps are found in the mammary glands and the young mother whines, then you should consult a veterinarian. The doctor will prescribe medications to stop lactation.
Pyometra
With pyometra, there is heavy bleeding from the vagina mixed with pus. The female's condition is rapidly deteriorating. She moves little, is thirsty, and suffers from severe pain. Without treatment, it quickly leads to death.
This pathology can develop if estrus does not result in pregnancy as a result of the use of drugs that suppress the symptoms of sexual desire. During the period of anestrus, progesterone levels constantly increase, leading to a thickening of the uterine wall and a weakening of the body's defenses. Against the background of such hormonal imbalance, cysts and hyperplasia can develop. The combination of these factors leads to increased susceptibility of the uterus to pathogenic microflora, and any penetration of infection leads to the formation of purulent inflammation in its cavity.
What warning signs should you pay attention to?
Do-it-yourself collar for a dog after surgery
If your dog’s vaginal discharge is accompanied by a number of other alarming symptoms, then you should not postpone a visit to the doctor.
Phases of the reproductive cycle in dogs
Pathological discharges include:
- bleeding or the appearance of a small amount of blood on the external genitalia;
- any discharge during pregnancy;
- the secreted secretion is characterized by a rich and unpleasant odor;
- copious discharge before childbirth, which has the color of milk, with a greenish, yellowish or brown tint with a pronounced putrefactive odor;
- opaque (purulent) discharge of various shades and with an unpleasant odor;
- postpartum prolonged discharge mixed with blood (more than 1 month).
All of these conditions indicate the development of tumors or other pathologies.
Pyometra
This disease is characterized by purulent inflammation of the uterus. Accompanied by the accumulation of large quantities of pus in the horns of the uterus and directly in its body. The disease can occur in two forms: open and closed.
Pyometra in a dog on ultrasound
The open form is easier because the pus comes out through the passage in the cervix of the genital organ. In the closed form, purulent contents gradually accumulate in the uterus, which poisons the body and can cause organ rupture, which will lead to the death of the pet.
Important! If left untreated, the open form may turn into a closed form.
In addition to discharge, the female experiences an increase in body temperature, complete/partial loss of appetite, vomiting and deterioration in her general condition.
The diagnosis can be made by a veterinarian based on the results of the tests performed. Diagnosis will require a general blood test, ultrasound, and vaginal smear cytology. Most often, surgery is required, but in the initial stages, drug treatment is also possible.
Endometritis
Endometritis is a disease accompanied by the development of an inflammatory process of the uterine mucosa. It can occur in chronic or acute form. At the initial stage of development, it does not have a pronounced clinical picture or heavy discharge due to hormonal imbalance. As the disease progresses, the mucous membranes of the uterus thicken and the discharge becomes abundant.
Endometritis in dogs
The secretion forms a favorable environment in the uterus for the development of pathogenic microorganisms, which can lead to the development of a secondary infection. Discharge may appear mixed with pus. With chronic endometritis, perhaps the only signs may be the dog’s inability to become pregnant, bear and give birth to healthy offspring.
Important! In the chronic form, discharge is not observed.
Tumors
Tumor processes are a pathology that has become increasingly common in recent years. As it develops, scanty and then copious discharge appears. The female's physical and emotional condition gradually deteriorates.
Tumor processes in females in the genital tract
In veterinary medicine, tumors of the ovaries and uterus are distinguished. There is also a venereal form of sarcoma, which is sexually transmitted and affects the mucous membranes of the genital organs.
Vaginitis
This pathological process is accompanied by inflammation of the vaginal mucosa. As the disease progresses, scanty discharge is observed. The pet tries to lick itself more often than usual, so the owner is not always able to recognize the problem right away.
Note! Many dog owners often confuse vaginitis with normal estrus.
If the disease is not treated promptly, it can cause significant damage to health.
Treatment
To accurately diagnose a dog's condition, it is necessary to perform an abdominal ultrasound and blood and urine tests. Having the results of all the studies in hand, an experienced veterinarian will be able to accurately determine the cause and prescribe appropriate treatment.
In most cases, for problems with the reproductive system, the following is prescribed:
- Surgical intervention. Depending on the severity of the situation, the uterus can be completely removed, congenital pathologies can be corrected, or tumors can be excised.
- Drug treatment with antibiotics , which allows you to defeat introduced infections.
- The use of drugs that improve blood clottingif this parameter is the cause of constant bleeding.
- Chemotherapy when a cancerous tumor is detected.
Modern veterinary medicine has a wide range of means to help animals even in the most difficult situations.
Preventive actions
It is impossible to completely exclude the possibility of developing diseases of the reproductive system. Fortunately, veterinarians have developed a system of measures that, if followed, will help reduce this likelihood:
- a thorough medical examination before and always after mating;
- regular examinations by a veterinarian;
- if necessary, taking hormonal medications to normalize the background;
- timely vaccination;
- regular examination of the genital organs: anus and vagina in females;
- strict adherence to hygiene measures.
It has been scientifically proven that sterilization reduces the likelihood of developing a large number of diseases and prolongs the life of pets. If the owners do not plan to breed puppies, this procedure can solve many problems, including discharge from the females’ loops. The procedure is common and completely safe.
Ultimately, whether to sterilize a female or not is up to the owners to decide. But you definitely need to monitor her health so as not to miss discharge of green or other colors and begin treatment for emerging diseases in a timely manner.
Miscarriage
In the context of pathological discharge in a dog, we will pay special attention to the phenomenon of miscarriage. When a bitch has a spontaneous abortion, exudate is released from the vagina, which can be dark green or black in color, and also contain bloody spots and pus. In some cases, the uterus rejects only part of the fetuses, while others are not in danger. However, regardless of whether the entire litter was rejected, it is necessary to visit a doctor and develop a plan for further action with him.
Miscarriage in late pregnancy
Causes of miscarriage
Unfortunately, it is not possible to completely prevent the possibility of spontaneous abortion today. All the owner can do is to carefully monitor the health of the pregnant bitch in order to prevent the development of the following situations:
- infectious diseases (prevented by vaccination carried out before mating);
- parasitic infestations (as with infections, parasites can be easily controlled with the help of anthelmintic and ascaricidal drugs);
- exhaustion or obesity of the animal (during pregnancy, the bitch’s diet changes, which is important to consider when feeding her);
Throughout pregnancy, it is important to prevent the animal from gaining too much weight.
- inappropriate age for mating (boughs that have already had their first heat and whose physiological development has successfully completed should be allowed to mating);
- inbreeding (inbreeding should be avoided under all circumstances);
- taking a number of medications (if the bitch was taking any medications before conception, you should consult with a veterinarian in advance about the compatibility of medications with the planned pregnancy);
- damage and injury (during pregnancy, the bitch is especially vulnerable to various injuries, and a miscarriage can occur even if the injury is not on the stomach, so any active games with the dog during the gestation period are prohibited).
