Discharge from a dog's loop: causes and treatment

The health of the dog involved in mating must be closely monitored - every experienced dog breeder knows this. One of the indicators of an animal’s health is discharge from the genitals. They allow us to most likely conclude that the bitch is pregnant, as well as determine the condition of the uterus and reproductive tract of the pet. There are different types of discharge after mating, indicating both the good health of the female and possible health problems that require the attention of a veterinarian. We will tell you further how the course of pregnancy is related to certain types of discharge in a dog.

Discharge after mating in dogs: causes

Discharge in a dog during pregnancy

I would like to start with the fact that vaginal discharge in one form or another accompanies the female throughout her pregnancy; this is a common physiological phenomenon. Normally, there should be a small amount of discharge, sufficient to ensure the balance of the genital mucosa.

After mating

It is believed that during the first few days after mating, the bitch should have virtually no vaginal discharge of any kind. However, some females have whitish drops, which are the animal’s body’s reaction to the partner’s seminal fluid.

The consequences of mating are individual and depend on the physiology of a particular pet.

The active secretion of clear mucus a couple of days after mating is explained by the following factors:

• The mucus plug that previously covered the cervix leaves the uterus after sexual intercourse. She does this in parts, so the process can drag on for a couple of weeks;
• mucus removes oocytes that remain unfertilized from the female’s body;
• After sexual intercourse, small amounts of blood clots may come out of the animal’s vagina along with mucus. This condition does not threaten the animal’s condition and is a variant of the norm.

Clear discharge after mating is common in dogs.

First weeks of pregnancy

At the initial stage of pregnancy, the animal’s uterus, like other genital organs, undergoes significant changes, changing its size and structure. The inner layer of the uterus swells and becomes looser, preparing to receive an egg. As a result, quite a lot of mucus is released, which partially exits through the loop.

By the way! If you have difficulty determining whether your dog is pregnant, we recommend that you read the article on this topic on our portal.

In the early stages, the enlargement of the uterus is not noticeable, and discharge is not so frequent

If within a few days after mating you notice secretion from the bitch's vagina, then this is a sign that fertilization is most likely successful. Three weeks after mating, you may also notice patches of mucus accompanying the animal's urination. This sign is further evidence that the female has become pregnant.

Changes in the dog's body

As a rule, it is difficult to determine the pregnancy of a bitch until the third week inclusive. However, by the end of the third week, the female’s belly begins to grow, and the following changes rapidly occur in her body:

• filling the space of the uterus with amniotic fluid, as a result of which this organ “swells”, along with it the female herself increases in size;
• the movements of the embryos are already recognized by the mother, despite the fact that they are still very insignificant and consist in the movement of puppies along a hollow organ;
• due to the enlargement and filling of the uterus, mucus begins to actively secrete from the female’s loop, which sometimes remains hanging from the animal’s genitals. If you don't wash your dog often enough, this mucus will form a crust that can be confused with a dried wound due to its brown hue and resemblance to ichor;

  As the embryo develops, the uterus begins to fill with amniotic fluid.

• in some cases, green or black specks may be observed in the mucus, which represent embryos rejected by the uterus. If you notice such clots, do not worry about the dog’s health: rejection of some dead fetuses in the early stages is normal. Moreover, sometimes these underdeveloped fetuses remain in the uterus until the moment of birth.

Also, the end of the third week is significant in that it coincides with the closure of the cervix, which clearly indicates pregnancy. If from the third to fourth weeks the discharge looks more like water with small patches of mucus, then after the first month it thickens, but retains its translucent hue. This type of mucus forms a kind of protective barrier.

At the end of the first month, the female’s belly begins to gradually grow

To avoid the formation of crust, which we discussed above, it is advisable to periodically wash the female's perineum. It is recommended to wash the animal’s vagina using:

• clean water at room temperature;
• baby sanitary napkins.

It is not advisable to use soap as it may irritate it.

Before birth

The following weeks rarely cause the dog's owners any concern regarding its discharge. However, before giving birth, the dog again produces large amounts of mucus, which often attracts the attention of concerned owners. Intense mucus secretion gives a signal that the dog will begin labor in one or two days.

Shortly before giving birth, the dog's protective plug begins to come off.

This secretion represents the protective mucus plug that we discussed in the previous section. And if in the first month of pregnancy this plug was actively formed, then a couple of days before birth it is rejected, freeing the genital tract through which future puppies will move during the birth process. Mucus can have several shades:

• white;
• light green;
• light brown;
• transparent.

It also happens that the protective plug does not come off in parts, but all at once - during urination. In this case, the owner can easily miss this manifestation, indicating an imminent birth.

Sometimes the protective plug comes off without the dog owner noticing.

Other signs of imminent labor

In addition to the loss of the protective plug that accompanies the end of pregnancy, you can determine the bitch’s readiness for childbirth by the following actions:

• the dog is actively trying to dig a hole in the floor or in the yard because its goal now is to create a “shelter” for its young;
• Often the behavior of the female changes radically: she either persistently seeks the company of her owner, or demands complete solitude. It all depends on the animal’s ideas about comfort and security;

  Before giving birth, the dog looks for a secluded place for itself and for its cubs

• before giving birth, the dog chooses one of two types of behavior - calm and relaxed or tense and somewhat aggressive. Both behavioral scenarios are the norm and act as a natural reaction of the animal to changes in the body.

You can read below about how to prepare for the birth of your dog.

Preparing for the birth of a dog

After childbirth

At the end of childbirth, the uterus continues to cleanse itself, removing the remains of proteins and tissues, therefore postpartum discharge is an obligatory occurrence in the life of every female. During the first few days, the owners of a bitch who has given birth observe the following types of discharge from their pet:

• whitish discharge with green splashes. The greenish tint of the substance is given by proteins exiting through the genital tract, which are no longer needed by the mother’s body;
• dark burgundy discharge that does not have any odor should also not alarm the owners of the animal, if the dog does not experience discomfort and does not show signs of pain. Normally, such discharge ends on the second or third day after birth.

After giving birth, your pet's uterus continues to cleanse itself for a month.

Womb cleansing occurs within the first few weeks after the puppies are born. Already in the first week, the rich color of the discharge gradually dilutes, becoming more and more transparent. Moving at this pace, after a month the discharge should stop altogether. However, these dates may vary depending on the number of cubs in the litter.

Important! If the discharge continues to be intense after a month, it is highly recommended to consult a veterinarian.

Temperature before birth

Changes in temperature before giving birth in dogs are a natural phenomenon. The owners should not be bothered by this, nor should they be bothered by the fact that the dog is breathing frequently before giving birth. The normal temperature of a pregnant bitch is within the range of 38-38.6 degrees; with the onset of the maternity process, it drops by one and a half to two divisions of the thermometer scale. Owners need to monitor the dog’s body temperature by measuring it at least twice – in the morning and in the evening. If the temperature before birth in dogs does not decrease, but increases, such a deviation from the norm should be a cause for concern and seek veterinary help.

The owner and his dog

It has already been said above that the behavior of dogs during the prenatal period changes. And although it can become restless and aggressive, owners should treat this with understanding and not allow themselves to act negatively towards the dog. The main conditions for a successful birth are the manifestation of tender love, affection and care for your pet, careful preparation, and the absence of any fuss and nervousness.

The owner and his dog

What discharge is not normal?

Now let's look at those types of discharge that indicate negative changes occurring in the dog and posing a threat to its life. The owner needs to immediately contact a veterinarian for help if the discharge of a pregnant dog has the following characteristics:

• the presence of a large amount of blood in the mucus or direct bleeding from the animal’s vagina;
• foul odor of mucus;
• secretion of mucus that has a constant greenish tint;
• presence of purulent discharge.

The nature of a dog's discharge during pregnancy provides important information about its well-being.

We will talk about each of the symptomatic manifestations further.

Bloody discharge

As already mentioned, small inclusions are the norm during pregnancy, however, when the red tint becomes saturated, and the proportion of inclusions only increases, it makes sense to be wary. One of the most dangerous causes of bleeding is uterine rupture, in which there is virtually no chance of saving the puppies. Moreover, in most cases, the veterinarian has to remove the female's uterus to avoid possible complications.

Rupture of the uterus leads to the rapid death of the embryos contained in it

To avoid subsequent false pregnancies due to hormonal imbalances, as well as empty heats, doctors recommend removing the animal’s ovaries at the same time in order to relieve any stress on the reproductive system. Such a radical step will protect the animal from possible mammary tumors.

By the way! In addition to uterine rupture, heavy bleeding may indicate a miscarriage, which we will talk about in more detail in a separate chapter.

Foul smell

If during pregnancy a sharp unpleasant odor emanates from the bitch, then this may indicate two possible scenarios:

• the bitch’s genitals are inflamed as a result of an infection that also affected the embryos;
• the stench comes from the dead and beginning to decompose cubs.

A pungent odor from a dog's discharge may indicate the process of mummification of fetuses.

To determine the further course of action, you need to contact a doctor to carefully examine the animal. If the cause of the pungent odor is an infection, then the chances of saving the offspring with timely treatment of the bitch are quite high. If we are talking about puppies that have already died, then the dog is prescribed immediate surgery to remove the mummifying fetuses. Otherwise, the animal may get blood poisoning and die.

Dead embryos must be removed from the female’s uterus as quickly as possible

It should be noted that not all puppies can die in the uterus. However, when several fetuses die, the veterinarian most often decides to remove the entire litter, since the surviving cubs are most likely already infected and will die either in the womb or shortly after birth.

Green discharge

The green coloration of the discharge often goes hand in hand with the appearance of an unpleasant odor, since both of these manifestations indicate an inflammatory process inside the animal’s uterus. This symptom suggests two scenarios:

• the dog has become infected with an intrauterine infection (for example, chlamydia), which now threatens both its life and the lives of the puppies;
• The dog’s placenta began to separate, which is a very dangerous outcome for puppies, since the detached placenta ceases to function and supply the fetus with the necessary nutrition.

The presence of discharge in a dog of an unnatural consistency requires examination at a veterinary clinic

Prolonged green discharge is a good reason to contact a veterinarian, even if the animal is currently feeling well.

Pus

Any purulent discharge is not normal, and purulent vaginal discharge is no exception. Pus always indicates an inflammatory process, and if it comes from a loop, it means that the inflammatory process is localized on the reproductive organs. Purulent discharge indicates that inflammation develops quickly and the owner has a very limited amount of time to call a specialist.

How to determine pathology

Pathological processes are accompanied by a number of unpleasant moments.

This:

1. 
   Dark, persistent mucus coming out of the loop.

2. Unsatisfactory condition of the dog (whines, worries, hides, refuses to eat, drink).
3. Increased body temperature.
4. Fetid odor emanating from the secretion.
5. Lack of movement of puppies in the womb.

If you notice one of the symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. Only an experienced specialist will make an accurate diagnosis. No doctor can determine the problem by eye.

It will help in diagnosis:

1. Blood test for biochemistry, usual.
2. Ultrasound.
3. Blood test for infections.

A timely visit to a doctor is an opportunity to save not only the mother, but also the babies.

Under no circumstances should you self-medicate, trying to find the problem and fix it.

General symptoms indicating illness

In addition to discharge, which is not always a full indicator of the dog’s health, it is important to monitor its behavior during pregnancy and respond to any changes. You should be concerned about your dog's health in the following cases:

• loss of appetite and interest in food;
• a sharp increase in temperature;
• constipation or diarrhea;
• irritated or depressed state of the animal.

The general apathetic state of the dog, combined with a lack of appetite, is an alarming symptom.

Treatment options

If a pathology is detected, it can be both surgical and medicinal:

1. complete removal of the uterus or surgical removal of a foreign body found in it, as well as tumors;
2. surgery to correct congenital changes in the rectum, vagina or ureters;
3. antibacterial effect of drugs on infectious, bacterial lesions, inflammation resulting from injury
4. drug therapy for poor blood clotting; chemotherapy when tumors are detected.

Simple pathologies allow treatment at home. True, the owner will need to make a lot of effort and be patient for this. It is important not only to strictly follow the veterinarian’s recommendations, but also to show your dog love, affection and care. In case of pathological discharge from your pet’s uterus, even of a minor nature, self-medication is not recommended. The end of such an attempt can be very sad.

Based on this, I would like to emphasize once again: as soon as you notice discharge from the loop in an animal that is not associated with estrus or the postpartum period, be sure to show it to a specialist who will determine the cause and prescribe treatment. After all, this is the only way to get rid of the problem in a timely manner and save his life.

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).

The first weeks after the “date”

If a dog has mated with a “groom”, this does not mean that conception has occurred. It is no secret that many bitches develop a false pregnancy after an unsuccessful mating (and even without contact with a male dog). The pet’s appearance changes (the dog’s belly becomes rounder, its nipples swell). The animal’s behavior also undergoes strong changes: the dog sets up a “nest”, drags soft objects (mittens, toys) there that resemble puppies... The owner will understand the deceptiveness of his dog’s “pregnant status” only after consulting a veterinarian.

Diseases that negatively affect pregnancy

Excessive discharge often indicates pathology related directly to the organs of the reproductive system. In order to recognize alarming symptoms in time, it is important to familiarize yourself with the list of such diseases that pose a danger to a pregnant bitch.

Table. Diseases aggravating pregnancy

Diagnostics

Any discharge from a dog's loop requires attention from its owner. But his particular concern, in addition to the above, should be:

• the occurrence of severe thirst;
• deterioration in coordination of movements;
• bloody trail after urination;
• swollen condition of the animal's loop.

If you notice at least one of these manifestations, your pet should be taken to the veterinarian. After all, such symptoms are a direct indication of the inflammatory process in the uterus. There the animal will be examined and the necessary tests will be performed, including:

• laboratory tests of blood and urine;
• bacteriological examination of the microflora of the urinary tract and vagina;
• vaginal smear for cytology;
• abdominal x-ray;
• Ultrasound;
• biopsy of vaginal abnormal tissue;
• examination of the vagina and cervix;
• test determination of possible damage by brucellosis and herpes;
• coagulation (for poor blood clotting), etc.

There are a lot of diagnostic methods, and they allow you to determine the exact picture of the illness, as well as prescribe appropriate therapy.

Briefly about the main thing

1. If blood is detected in the urine, you must contact a veterinarian; the cause may be the presence of: a bacterial infection, a parasitic disease, poisoning, injury, or urolithiasis. As well as many other concomitant diseases, such as liver, endocrine system or blood clotting disorders.
2. What did your dog eat? Her urine may have been colored by beets or another coloring product.
3. Before going to the clinic, do not give your dog any medications, so as not to “blur the picture.” It is better to prepare a detailed history of how and when you noticed bleeding.
4. There are a few simple rules that will keep your pet healthy. Don't neglect them.