If you’ve got a furry female friend, they might experience vulvar dermatitis — a skin irritation surrounding their lady bits. Excess urine and secretions can cause a dog to have vulvar dermatitis, but are there any home remedies? We’ve got you covered.
If you notice that your dog’s vulva looks larger than normal, it could be a sign of a vaginal infection. Keep an eye on it for a few days, but if things aren’t improving, it’s time to talk to a vet.
Dogs can develop vaginal infections for all sorts of reasons, and it’s not always easy to determine the root cause. But as a pet owner, it’s important to be aware of this issue and how to respond to the symptoms.
With care and attention, your dog can get back to feeling happy and healthy again in no time.
Before reading this guide, “Home Remedies for Dog Vulvar Dermatitis,” check out: Why Is My Female Dog’s Private Area Swollen? (2023) and Is Sudocrem on Dogs Safe? (2023).
Symptoms of Vulvar Dermatitis
If you’re worried your dog is suffering from vulvar fold dermatitis, keep an eye out for some telltale signs. Look for redness, swelling, and heat in the affected area, which could cause a lot of discomfort.
Your dog might even lose their ability to move around comfortably. If things have progressed to an outright infection, you may notice a yellow or white discharge seeping from their skin.
Since this condition can be nasty, it’s vital to you get in touch with a vet right away.
Offer Probiotics
If you want your dog to be healthy, you should consider adding probiotics to their meals.
These tiny organisms can help fight off harmful diseases and protect your furry friend’s body. Probiotics are especially helpful for female dogs suffering from vulvar dermatitis.
By introducing beneficial bacteria into their system, you can suppress the growth of harmful bacteria and keep your dog healthy and happy. So go ahead and give your dog a boost with some probiotics!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can kick harmful bacteria to the curb and heal things up in no time.
Just mix some apple cider vinegar with water, spray it on the affected areas, and watch the magic happen. It will provide a cooling relief and help kill bacteria that may be present.
Your pup will thank you for it! Plus, apple cider vinegar is a natural, safe, and effective way to treat your dog’s discomfort. Don’t believe us? Give it a try and see for yourself.
Improve Your Dog’s Diet
Your dog’s diet plays a big role in its overall health.
Some dogs can get inflammation down there if they’re chowing down on food with fillers and additives. If your dog has recurring vulvar dermatitis, this could be due to its diet.
It’s best to steer clear of any foods that have all sorts of added junk. And if you’re not sure what to feed your dog, be sure to chat with your vet. They can help you figure out the right balance of protein and fiber to keep your dog’s diet on point and free from vulvar dermatitis.
Clean Regularly
Germs are the root cause of vulvar dermatitis in dogs? Yup, it’s true!
And the best way to keep your fur baby safe from this uncomfortable condition is to give them a good, thorough bath. Trust us, it’s worth it to keep your pup healthy and happy down there.
Use Cleansing Wipes
If your dog shows signs of vulvar dermatitis, you might notice unusual discharge. But don’t worry — you can easily clean it off with gentle, unscented wipes. Be careful not to wipe too hard, as the area may be painful and you could cause harm.
It’s important to remember that adult dogs with this condition require a different approach than what you might use to treat a small puppy with the same issue.
In the case of mature dogs, it’s actually better to leave that area alone, as cleaning it can mess with their pH levels. So, if your lady pup is dealing with dog vulvar dermatitis, it’s best to take her to the vet.
There are many reasons why female dogs might experience vulvar swelling, such as infections in their bladder or vagina. However, taking precautions like a nutritional diet, regular bathing, and addressing any sensitivities can help minimize the chances of your pup experiencing dermatitis.
What Causes It
Different dog breeds have varying levels of susceptibility to skin fold dermatitis, with British Bulldogs, Boxers, Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Shar Peis being the most prone. However, any dog can be affected by this condition, especially if they’re overweight.
Lip fold dermatitis is common in Spaniels due to a skin fold present in their bottom jaw that harbors saliva, providing a warm and moist environment for bacteria and yeast to thrive.
The frequency of symptoms varies depending on the triggering factor, which could be environmental allergens such as grass and tree pollen, dust mites, or mold, causing a seasonal or year-round reaction.
Additionally, food allergies are often responsible. Dogs can be allergic to various foods, including meat, fish, dairy, and soy, so we recommend consulting with your vet if you suspect your dog’s diet is causing adverse reactions.
What Are the Symptoms
If you ever notice your dog showing signs of irritation and discomfort such as red, smelly, and swollen skin between their folds, there may be an underlying skin issue that needs to be addressed.
Keep an eye out for any weeping sores inside the folds and if you observe your furry pal constantly licking or scratching their skin, it’s definitely time to take action.
To ensure your dog stays happy and healthy, it’s a good idea to regularly check their skin for any abnormalities. However, if you do happen to notice any of the aforementioned symptoms, it’s important to reach out to your veterinarian for professional advice as soon as possible.
How Is It Diagnosed?
To make sure nothing serious is going on with your dog, the vet will perform a thorough examination. They’ll check for this particular condition during the physical exam, but they also need to see if there are any other health problems.
Blood screenings, such as a complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistry, and urine tests will help them check the kidneys and look for any infections. Additionally, a urine culture might be necessary. If there are any infections on the skin around the vulva, the vet might do a skin scrape, cytology, or culture.
They’ll also check for other causes of urination problems using an ultrasound to look for things like tumors or other issues with the bladder. Overall, the vet needs to be thorough to make sure everything is taken care of.
How Do Vets Treat It?
When your dog is suffering from vulvar fold dermatitis, it can be a frustrating condition to manage with medication and topical treatments alone.
Surgery is often necessary to provide lasting relief. It’s important to clear up any active infections before undergoing surgery, and your veterinarian may recommend oral antibiotics, topical antibiotics, or cleansing and drying agents to prepare your dog for the best possible outcome.
The procedure, known as episioplasty, is a reconstructive surgery that involves removing excess skin folds around the vulva. The amount of skin to be removed is carefully determined by gently pinching the area with fingers. A crescent-shaped incision is then made around the vulva, and the extra skin and underlying tissue is removed.
After the procedure, the vulva will be pulled out from the excess skin, providing a more comfortable and functional outcome for your pet. Rest assured that this surgery has a high success rate and can greatly improve your furry friend’s quality of life.
How To Tell If The Dog’s Condition Is Better
To spot any issues with your furry friend’s vagina, it’s necessary to know what it normally looks like. It’s common for your dog’s vulva to be visible.
If a female pup hasn’t been spayed, her vulva’s appearance can change significantly during her heat cycles. When a dog is in heat and open to mating, her vulva swells up and exhibits bloody discharge. This phase can spread over one to two weeks, but the span can differ as per individual dogs.
Once the dog has finished her heat cycle, the bleeding will cease, and her vulva will return to its standard appearance. Female dogs can go through this whole process yearly or even every four months.
Is It Normal for a Dog’s Vagina to Swell?
If a dog has vulvar dermatitis or is in heat, it’s common for the genitals to swell. If the swelling is caused by heat, it should get better as other heat symptoms reside. But if your pup’s down-there area still looks puffy even when she’s not in heat anymore, she might have something called vaginal hyperplasia.
Basically, it means there’s extra tissue hanging out of her vulva that should go away when her heat cycle is done. But if you don’t want to wait for that, you can always have her spayed and that’ll fix the problem.
If your dog is already spayed but still has a swollen vulva with some bloody stuff coming out, it could be that some of her ovarian tissue was left inside her belly after the surgery.
Now, if your dog’s vulva looks swollen and she’s not supposed to be in heat, it could be because of infections, injuries or even tumors. With all of these potential situations, you should talk to your vet if you notice something suspect. They can give you detailed advice on what to do next.
Does Vulvar Dermatitis Look Like a Rash?
Dogs can get rashes around their vulva just like we can elsewhere on our bodies. Since the vulva touches the ground whenever the dog sits, it’s frequently exposed to irritants, allergens, and biting insects. Even parasites or skin infections can cause rashes in this area.
To help alleviate mild rashes caused by allergens or irritants, you can give your dog a cool bath using a gentle soap. But if the rash is severe, causing significant discomfort, or persists for more than a day or two, it’s important to take your dog to the vet for proper evaluation and treatment. Don’t let her suffer!
If your dog has any strange lumps, bumps, or growths in or around their lady parts, it’s not a good sign. It could be caused by injuries, infections, weird anatomy, inflammation, cysts, or even tumors.
If your puppy hasn’t been spayed, they could develop a big ol’ mass of pink or red puffy tissue that sticks out of their vulva, which is called vaginal hyperplasia. Luckily, this should go away on its own after they get out of heat. However, if you’re concerned, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your vet.
It’s important to keep tabs on our furry friends’ bodies, and if you notice anything out of the ordinary, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice.
How Long Does Vulvar Dermatitis Last?
If your dog is dealing with an annoying case of vulvar dermatitis, don’t expect it to go away quickly. Sometimes, it gets better after their first heat cycle, but it can linger like a clingy ex. And if there’s something funky going on down there, your pup might be more prone to getting it again in the future.
One thing you can do to help your dog out is to keep their vulva area clean and dry. I mean, you wouldn’t want to wear wet underwear all the time, would you? Also, try to stop your dog from licking. You can get creative and put on a cone or e-collar to stop them from going to town on themselves.
Keep the area around your dog’s vulva clean and dry, and do what you can to prevent them from licking it. If it seems like things are getting worse or not improving, don’t hesitate to take your dog to the vet.
They’ll be able to diagnose the problem and give you some options for treatment. If they feel the issue can be resolved easily, they may just have you keep the dog comfortable until it passes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Female dogs are prone to rashes on their private area. When a dog sits down, it can come into contact with allergens, insects, or other irritants. There’s also a risk of skin infections or parasites.
If your female dog is uncomfortable or itchy, she will likely try to rub her private area on the ground.
After visiting your veterinarian, you can treat your dog’s yeast infection with topical or oral treatments. They will likely also give you something to help relieve itching and inflammation.
Conclusion for “Home Remedies for Dog Vulvar Dermatitis”
Unfortunately, vulvar dermatitis isn’t a one-size-fits-all issue. It can last for a few days or stick around for months. If your dog’s vulva is hooded or inverted, they might have a tougher time getting rid of it.
A dog with vulvar dermatitis can cause serious discomfort from itching, redness, and discharge. So, it’s important to seek treatment rather than hope the problem goes away on its own. You can try home remedies for vulvar dermatitis, but if things don’t improve, it’s wise to have your dog checked by a vet.
If you find this guide, “Home Remedies for Dog Vulvar Dermatitis,” informative, check out:
- Why Is My Female Dog’s Private Area Swollen? (2023)
- What Are the Black Spots Near My Dog’s Privates? Vet Advice! (2023)
- How to Treat Razor Burn on Dogs’ Privates? (2023)
Learn more by watching “Home Treatments For Dog Vulva Dermatitis: They A Complete Fix | Dog Vulvar Dermatitis Home Remedies” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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