Vaginitis is the medical term for inflammation of the vagina. The condition is more common in dogs than cats and is often seen in prepubertal (sexually immature) animals.
Causes of Vaginitis
There are many potential causes of vaginitis in pets. These include urinary tract infections, vaginal trauma, urinary incontinence, and foreign bodies within the vaginal cavity. Other underlying causes of vaginitis include vaginal tumors, feces or urine contamination, and anatomical abnormalities.
Symptoms of Vaginitis
Please visit your veterinarian immediately if your pet displays any of the following signs or symptoms of vaginitis.
- Discharge from the vulva
- Increased urination (polyuria)
- Redness or swelling of the vaginal area
- Licking of the vaginal area
- Scooting
- Pain while urinating
- Male attraction
Diagnosis of Vaginitis
Your veterinarian will evaluate your pet’s medical history and ask you a series of questions about the onset and severity of their symptoms. They will then perform a complete physical examination to check for clinical signs of vaginitis.
Routine diagnostic tests such as a complete blood count, biochemistry profile, and urinalysis will usually be carried out to assess your pet’s overall health. The results of these tests may also indicate symptoms such as inflammation.
Additional diagnostic tests may be performed to identify the underlying cause of your pet’s symptoms. These may include vaginal cultures, vaginal cytology (microscopic examination of cells), and vaginoscopy (examining the inside of the vagina with an endoscope). Your veterinarian may also use imaging techniques such as X-rays or ultrasounds to check for the presence of masses or other abnormalities.
Treatment of Vaginitis
Treatment of vaginitis will depend on the underlying cause of the condition. Vaginitis in prepubertal animals usually resolves after the first heat cycle. For this reason, young animals may not require treatment.
Potential treatment methods for vaginitis include removal of foreign bodies from the vaginal cavity, antibiotic therapy to combat infection, and surgery to correct anatomical abnormalities. Other common treatments include vaginal douches and medications to address pain and inflammation.
Follow up examinations will usually be required to monitor your pet’s response to treatment. Your veterinarian will recommend appropriate treatment methods based on your pet’s overall health and condition.
Prevention of Vaginitis
Since there are so many potential underlying causes of vaginitis in pets, the condition can be difficult to prevent. We recommend feeding a healthy, balanced diet to support your pet’s immune system and keeping them clean and well-groomed to reduce the risk of infection. It is also important to schedule regular checkups with your veterinarian so your pet’s health can be continuously monitored.
