The Dog Owner Club

This is quite common, even in health, and there is, of course, the periodic flow of blood seen in the “in season” bitch. Maiden bitches often have a slight discharge and provided this remains scanty, and the bitch is well in herself, there is no need to worry.It is normal for a bitch to have a discharge after whelping, but this usually dries up in a couple of weeks or so. When it persists for four weeks or longer veterinary advice is advisable. Such a discharge may be weakening and could be associated with a low-grade local infection. Excessive haemorrhage after whelping may be due to lacerations resulting from a difficult birth. Whatever the cause, professional attention is needed.

A slight greenish vaginal discharge, unaccompanied by any other symptoms, is probably due to some localised infection. If it persists it should be reported; it may be due to streptococcal or staphylococcal infection which can cause “missing” in mated bitches or “fading out” of puppies. This infection, which is fairly common, is usually amenable to treatment by a veterinary surgeon, but as it is contagious it should be treated as soon as possible.

When the discharge is offensive, brown or greenish in appearance, and there is a rise in temperature to 103F. or over, immediate veterinary assistance should be sought. In a mated bitch it may mean one or more dead puppies or, after whelping, a dead puppy which has not been expelled, or a retained placenta.

With pyometra a pinkish or brownish vaginal discharge occurs about 4 to 6 weeks after the season in elderly bitches (usually maidens). This, too, requires immediate veterinary attention.

Sometimes a bitch seems perpetually in season, with or without the coloured discharge, but when mated she has no puppies, although she is very keen. Such a condition (known as nymphomania) is usually due to ovarian cysts. The ovaries may be surgically removed but as this naturally precludes breeding many veterinary surgeons prefer to try hormone treatment. Sometimes this is successful; the bitch resumes her normal oestral cycle and can then be mated with a reasonable chance of producing puppies. Hormone treatment is likely to succeed only if the cysts are not very large, so obviously there must be prompt professional consultation if this condition is suspected.

To sum up. If a vaginal discharge is slight, it can usually be ignored if the animal is otherwise well. If excessive, offensive, or abnormal in any way a veterinary surgeon should be consulted, and if in addition the bitch is feverish and refusing her food it is a matter of some urgency.

Unless otherwise advised, the parts should be kept clean with warm water. If swabs are to be taken to test for the presence of a streptococcal infection the parts should not be touched and no antiseptic preparation used.

Whelping
This is a common symptom in many diseases gastritis, nephritis, pyometra, etc. or it can be purely transitory (for example, travel sickness or over-eating). The cause should be found and dealt with. Withholding food for a few hours can do no harm if the cause is over-eating. In other cases, white of egg and milk should be given by mouth,. This helps to soothe the inflamed digestive organs. Vomiting is often accompanied by thirst, and water should be withheld, barley water, flat soda water or ice to lick being substituted. Chlorbutol in capsule form (from 3 to 10 grains) has a mildly analgesic and sedative effect on the stomach. It should be given every 2-3 hours. During convalescence Brand’s Essence, Benger’s Food and similar preparations are easily assimilated and put no strain on the digestive system.

Except in mild cases, it is wise to obtain veterinary advice as vomiting, if frequent, is often a symptom of some serious disorder.

Filed under: Dog Care, Dog Health