Do female dogs have discharge after being spayed? What to Know

Treatment of Estrus Signs After Spaying in Dogs

Treatment of Estrus Signs after Spaying in Dogs

Surgery is the recommended treatment for ORS. The surgery is called an exploratory laparotomy. This surgery is similar to the ovariohysterectomy that is performed during spaying, although the remaining tissue may be more difficult to locate. Your dog will likely be released the next day. You will need to check the incision for signs of infection and the veterinarian will schedule a two week follow-up appointment.

Some dogs with additional medical issues may not be good candidates for surgery. If this is the case, the veterinarian may still be able to treat your dog’s signs with medications that prevent her from going into heat, including megestrol acetate and milbolerone. You should discuss any medication with your veterinarian as these drugs often have significant side effects.

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Overview of Vaginal Discharge in Dogs

Vaginal discharge is a common symptom in dogs with vaginitis, a uterine infection, or urinary tract infections. Vaginal discharge is the appearance of liquid material (other than urine) from the labia of the vulva (the external female genitals). Vaginal discharge may be clear and watery (serous), bloody, thick and gray (mucous), yellow/green (purulent), or dark green/black (after giving birth). The discharge may or may not have an odor. Licking at the vulva may also be noted.

Vaginal discharge, depending on the type and circumstances, may be considered normal in some cases. However, its presence may also signify a disease process of the urinary tract or reproductive tract in dogs.

Causes of Vaginal Discharge in Dogs

Vaginal discharge is a normal part of the heat cycle of the intact female dog. Bloody discharge occurs for several days when the bitch is in heat (in estrus).

Vaginal discharge is also a normal finding in the immediate postpartum (after birth) period. A dark green to black discharge is often present for several days, and traces of discharge may persist for up to 3 weeks.

When the placental sites do not recede in the bitch after birth, then a persistent watery and sometimes bloody discharge may occur. This type of discharge is abnormal.

Any discharge that occurs during a pregnancy is potentially abnormal.

Urogenital tract infections, such as a urinary tract infection or an infected uterus (pyometra), may result in an opaque purulent discharge from the vulva.

Neoplasia (cancer) of the urogenital tract may cause bloody, mucousy, or purulent vaginal discharge.

Vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina) may give rise to watery or mucousy discharge.

Coagulation (clotting) disorders that result in abnormal bleeding may produce a bloody discharge that can be difficult to distinguish from blood in the urine (hematuria).

Trauma or the presence of a foreign body in the vagina may result in bloody, watery, or purulent discharge.

Urinary incontinence (inability to hold urine in the bladder) secondary to an abnormal location (ectopic) of the ureter, or a problem with the bladder sphincter (the muscle that acts like a valve at the opening of the bladder) may result in pooling of urine in the vagina and secondary irritation and discharge.

A defect and open communication (fistula) between the rectum and vagina may lead to the passage of watery fecal material from the vagina.

Do female dogs change after being spayed?