Vaginal discharge in female dogs can be clear, coloured, bloody or pus-like. While discharge during your dog’s season (heat) may be normal, some types of discharge may be associated with serious health issues. Always check with a vet if your dog develops an unexplained vaginal discharge.

Vaginal discharge during a normal season in an unneutered female dog may be bloody, clear or mucus. But discharge can also be a symptom in dogs with vaginitis, urinary tract infections or uterine (womb) infections, particularly where accompanied by other signs, such as excessive rubbing, licking or systemic (general) illness. These conditions may be serious, even life-threatening. Early identification and treatment offer the best outlook for any health concern.

What to do if your dog has a vaginal discharge?

Assess your dog and the discharge. Gathering the following information will help your vet make an accurate diagnosis. Check your dog:

• Is your dog spayed (neutered)

• Is your dog in season or has she recently been in season?

• Could she be pregnant or did she give birth recently?

• Is she eating well and passing urine normally?

• Is she licking or rubbing more than usual?

• Has she had any change in eating or drinking habits?

• Has she had any vomiting, diarrhoea or lethargy (tiredness)

• Can you see any change in the shape of her tummy?

Check the discharge:

• How much discharge is there?

• Is it coloured?

• Have you noticed any smell?

Recommendations

• Having a dog in heat can result in bloody discharge, which can be challenging for pet parents. Check our article about dogs in heat for home tips to help you with this.

• If your dog recently had puppies, has a healthy appetite, and is well in herself, with no other signs, this could be normal vaginal discharge after birth. Check our article about what happens after birth for more information.

• Monitor your dog closely. Look for any signs of itchiness, wounds, changes in her appetite and energy levels, struggling to pass urine or changes in behaviour. Talk to a vet if you have any concerns

Why does your dog have vaginal discharge?

Vaginal discharge happens for both normal and abnormal reasons.

Normal vaginal discharge

• Being in heat: blood to gradually clearer discharge, occasionally mucus

• ‘Normal’ secretions: only very small amounts; clear, mucoid, creamy may indicate normal cell shedding from the surface of the vagina.

Abnormal vaginal discharge

• Juvenile vaginitis: Inflammation of the vagina, often before a puppy’s first season.

  • Usually small amounts of a clear-to-bloody discharge.

• Pyometra: Infection of the uterus.

  • The discharge is a brownish fluid, or pus and smelly.

• Postpartum metritis: Infection of the uterus after birth, due to retained placenta following birth of puppies or a miscarriage.

  • The discharge is usually port-wine colour, pus, and smelly.

• Vaginitis: Inflammation of the vagina.

  • Discharge is clear or blood-tinged.

• Urinary tract infection (UTI)

  • Discharge is cloudy, pus, brownish, and smelly.

• Tumours and polyps: Uterine or vaginal masses.

  • The discharge is clear, blood-tinged, or frank blood.

• Traumatic injury or foreign body

  • The discharge is bloody and often accompanied with other signs including pain, swelling, licking.

When do you need to call a vet if your dog has vaginal discharge?

Call a local vet without delay if your dog has a vaginal discharge with any of the following:

• Straining to urinate (pee)

• Passing urine more often

• Lethargy (increased tiredness)

• Reduced appetite

• Vomiting and/or diarrhoea

• If your dog suffers from diabetes and you notice vaginal discharge

• If the discharge is copious, fresh blood or smelly

Speak to our Joii vets for help and advice with any of the following:

• You notice a bad smell from your dog’s vagina

• The vagina looks swollen

• Your dog recently gave birth and you see bloody or persistent vaginal discharge

• If you need help recognising your dog’s symptoms and what they mean

How to prevent vaginal discharge in your dog

Not all vaginal discharge can be prevented.

• Spaying will stop your dog from having seasons, so heat-related bloody discharge will stop. The risk of pyometra is also removed.

• Juvenile vaginitis is a condition that arises from immaturity of the vagina and its defences. It usually resolves after the first season, so spaying should be postponed until then.

How to know if your dog has vaginal discharge?

Not all vaginal discharge is obvious. Signs to look for that can indicate your dog has vaginal discharge:

• Spotting blood on her bed or in the house

• Sticky mucus-like discharge of yellow, white, green, and dark colour that can be seen when her vulva is gently opened

• Swollen or red vulva

• Scooting

• Skin irritation around the vulva

• Sticky discharge, matting or crusting under the tail or around the vulva.

• Frequent urination (peeing)

Vet diagnosis of vaginal discharge may include one or more of the following:

• History & physical exam: including examining the vulva and overall condition

• Vaginal exam & sample collection: looking at cells under a microscope to check for infection, inflammation, or hormonal stage. May include a swab for bacterial culture & sensitivity.

• Blood & urine tests

• Imaging: ultrasound to look for pyometra (uterine infection), pregnancy complications, or tumours. X-rays may be recommended for reproductive or abdominal issues.

• Other possible tests

  • Hormone tests (to check reproductive cycle stage or endocrine disease)

  • Biopsy if a growth or mass is found

How to care for a dog with vaginal discharge

It's important to understand that home remedies are only appropriate after a serious medical condition has been ruled out by a veterinary surgeon. General care tips:

• Do not cover the vulva or use nappy pants. Let the area ‘breathe’. Coverings increase the risk of infection.

• Keep the perineum (area between the tail and vulva) clean: Wash the back end with running water three times a day or as needed.

• Do not use any soap, disinfectants, or wipes (even the ‘sensitive’ wipes).

• Monitor your dog closely for any change in discharge colour and smell. Speak to a vet if you are worried.

Vet treatment for vaginal discharge in dogs

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. May include:

• Application of topical treatment, including ointments or shampoos

• Prescription medicine, including antibiotics and anti-inflammatories

• Surgery, such as spaying (removing the womb and ovaries)

• Prescription diet to dissolve bladder stones and crystals

Are some dogs more at risk of having vaginal discharge than others?

Vaginal discharge can affect female dogs of any size, age, and breed, whether neutered or not. However, certain groups have particular risks:

• Unneutered adult female dogs: normal seasons and pyometra

• Older dogs: tumours, inflammation, and infections

• Female dogs who have recently given birth: postpartum metritis

• Female puppies before their first season: juvenile vaginitis

Postpartum concerns: During the first few days following birth, your dog may experience bloody vaginal discharge. However, vaginal discharge during this time is also a sign of some serious health problems. Always speak to a vet to make sure there are no concerns. Look out for other signs such as:

• Smelly discharge

• Lack of energy

• Low appetite

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea