The etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of vulvitis and vaginitis in dogs

Vulvitis is inflammation of the vulva and vestibule. Infection is often caused by vulvar trauma during delivery, lax disinfection of hands or instruments during midwifery, and bacteria brought into the tail. During mating, vulvar mucosal injury can also cause the disease; vaginitis is vaginal inflammation. Primary vaginitis is more common in some large dogs before sexual maturity, such as German shepherds, boxers and so on. Secondary vaginitis is more common in adult dogs. It is induced by prolonged estrus, unclean mating, infection during childbirth, and secondary infections in the uterus, bladder, urethra and vestibule. Vaginitis is often complicated with vulvitis.

[diagnosis]

(1) the symptoms of vulvitis and vaginitis are similar. The symptoms of vulvitis include purulent secretions from the vulva, restlessness, arched back, frequent urination and moaning in sick dogs. The labia is swollen and most sick dogs refuse to examine the vulva because of pain. The periphery of the vulva is often contaminated by secretions and causes dermatitis. Primary vaginitis is characterized by continuous discharge of a large number of purulent secretions from the vagina before sexual maturity, while secondary vaginitis often licks the vulva and has symptoms of frequent urination and oliguria. Vaginal examination showed that the vaginal mucosa was congested and swollen, and other systemic symptoms of vulvitis and vaginitis were not obvious.

(2) microscopic examination of the secretions in the laboratory showed a large number of pus cells and epithelial cells, as well as β-hemolytic streptococcus and Escherichia coli. Vaginal cytology showed a large number of denatured neutrophils. Hemogram and biochemical indicators are generally normal.

(3) in order to rule out urethral infection, bladder puncture can be performed in front of the pubis, and urine can be taken for analysis and culture.

[prevention]

(1) for vulvitis, clean the tail and vulva first, open the vulva fissure, rinse the vestibule with 0.1% potassium permanganate or 0.1% Rivnauer solution, wrap the tail root with a bandage on one side, so as not to excessively stimulate the vulva. Apply anti-inflammatory ointment to the vulva after cleaning.

(2) vaginitis before sexual maturity does not need treatment and generally dissipates spontaneously during the first estrus.

(3) for vaginitis in adult dogs, bacterial infection should be cured. For this reason, the following solution can be selected for vaginal irrigation: 0.1% potassium permanganate, 0.1% Rivnaur, 0.2% furacillin, 0.5% polyvinylpyrrolidone iodine, 0.05% chlorhexidine, etc. Vaginal flushing should be stopped one week before mating. After washing, you can apply antibiotic ointment, fill the vagina with chlorhexidine suppository, oral metronidazole and so on. If necessary, antibiotics can be used all over the body, but it should be based on the results of drug sensitivity test made by vaginal culture. If not cultured, choose antibiotics that are effective against Escherichia coli, such as trimethoprim.

Note: systemic antibiotics and vaginal irrigation should continue until about 1 week after vaginal discharge disappears.