Dog vaginitis top view

Spent the entire day looking for the easiest dog vulva dermatitis home remedies?

Thank goodness, the algorithm (or whatever they call it) brought you here!

Apart from saving so much of your precious time, you're about to discover the nitty-gritty of this illness in your female dogs.

Popularly called dog vaginitis, this is a common condition among female canines that shows inflammation or infection in their vagina.

But fret not hooman, there are easy dog vulvar dermatitis home remedies you can do at home. (More on that in a bit.)

As you move further, this article will also tackle the following important topics:

So if you come across this condition in your dogs, it's best to equip yourself with the WHATs and WHYs and how to treat it.

Let's get right into it, shall we?

dog vulva infection with vag swollen

What is Dog Vulvar Dermatitis?

Dog vulvar dermatitis refers to the infection of the skin folds around the vulva where urine and secretions can build up.

And according to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons:

“This can be due to obesity, breed conformation, or due to early neutering (juvenile vulva).”

What's more, yeast and bacteria can thrive in your dog's rear end. 

Thus, causing inflammation in your furry buddies.

This condition can occur in both puppies and older female dogs. 

And vaginal infections have many signs to look out for, but a common symptom is your dog's vagina getting swollen.

When this happens, you may observe the condition for a day or two.

However, it's best to check with your vet for a proper evaluation.

Causes and Symptoms of Dog Vaginitis

Dog vulvar dermatitis is inevitable when you have a pet dog.

So, here are a few common causes of dog vaginitis for your reference:

  • Trauma
  • Ectopic ureter
  • Yeast infection
  • Vaginal abscess
  • Bacterial infection
  • Stuck foreign bodies
  • Irritation from excess urine or feces

Meanwhile, look out for these symptoms in your female dogs if you think this is the case:

  • Swollen vagina
  • Discomfort or pain
  • Bumor rear-end scooting
  • Frequent or difficulty urinating
  • Reddish skin around the vulva
  • Excessive licking in the rear end
  • Vaginal discharge (blood or unusual color)
  • Increase in the urge of male dogs to mate with your female pooch

As a dedicated pet guardian, knowing the cause and symptoms will help you determine the most suitable dog vulvar dermatitis treatment.

Interesting Read: 5 Embarrassing Dog Health Concerns

Types of Vulvar Dermatitis in Dogs 

Dog vulvar dermatitis is classified into two types where age is a contributing factor. So, take note of your dog's age to assess which type of vaginitis it has.

Juvenile Canine Vaginitis

This type of dog vulvar dermatitis is commonly known as puppy vaginitis.

It occurs in canines from 6-18 months of age with the following causes:

This condition accompanies vulva swelling or unusual discharges.

Fortunately, there are easy home treatments for puppy vaginitis which we'll tackle below.

Adult Dog Vaginitis

Also called adult-onset canine vaginitis, this condition is more common among spayed female dogs than intact ones. 

Unlike dog vaginitis in puppies, this type is more complicated and could be a serious, underlying health issue.

If your adult female dog has vaginitis, you will see similar symptoms just like in puppies.

But, treating your adult Fidos at home may not be enough. 

In this case, you'll need to seek veterinary care immediately.

7 Easy Dog Vulvar Dermatitis Home Remedies

When you can't see a vet just yet and if you're seeing the first signs of infections, then you can give these options a try:

dog taking a bath to prevent vaginitis

1. Give Them a Good Bath

One of the causes of vaginitis in dogs is bacteria buildup.

The best and most straightforward way to avoid it is to give your pooch a good bath. 

If it's a yeast infection, it's easier to remove any wax buildup or any thick crust sticking in your dog's rear.

Tip: The most recommended ingredient for your shampoo is benzoyl peroxide.

2. Apply Apple Cider Vinegar to their Skin

To make sure you have killed any bacteria left, you can finish it off with apple cider vinegar.

You can mix it with a good amount of water and spray it on the affected areas. 

Meanwhile, white vinegar works just the same.

But what makes apple cider vinegar a great option?

It contains healing properties — something that regular vinegar doesn't have. 

3. Keep the Living Area Clean and Dry

Yeast and bacteria thrive in moist and dirty environments.

That said, one of the most basic dog vulvar dermatitis home remedies you can do is to keep your living area clean at all times. 

When you keep your surroundings tidy and dry, there are fewer chances that your pooch could develop infections.

Tip: Clean the spot where your dog spends most of its time.

This could be any of the following:

You may also want to change sheets more frequently.

4. Clean Their Bum with Unscented Wipes

If your puppy has dog vaginitis, you will see a discharge with an unusual color.

You can easily wipe it off with unscented or antiseptic wipes.

However, keep in mind that home remedies for adult dogs with vulvar dermatitis require veterinary intervention.

Unlike puppies, wiping or washing that area of an adult female dog can alter its pH level.

5. Treat the Affected Areas with Coconut Oil

Coconut oil not only soothes the pain in your dog's skin.

But, it also helps brush off any wax buildup in their rear. Plus, coconut oil is something you can easily find in local stores.

Tip: When you use coconut oil, you can roll your dog over and apply it to the affected areas.

golden retriever looking over new diet

6. Change Your Dog's Diet

Inflammation in the dog's vulva could be affected by their diet, allergies, and food sensitivities.

Hence, make sure your dog eats quality dog food rich in protein.

Also, avoid dog food with any fillers or additives.

Tip: You can opt for supplements with omega-3 fatty acids to reduce skin inflammation or allergies.

When you're in doubt about your puppy's diet, you can consult your vet about it.

Or you can try our vet-approved homemade puppy food recipes, too.

7. Add Probiotics to Dog's Meals

You can give your dogs a dose of probiotics to balance their gut bacteria and maintain the pH at a healthy level.

This also helps prevent dog vaginitis from occurring. 

Note: Another thing you should keep in mind is whether your dog is sensitive to dairy or not.

If your dogs are, then it's best to give them non-dairy probiotics.

But if you're uncomfortable giving any form of probiotic to your pooch, you can opt for the natural alternative: olive leaf.

It has oleuropein that helps boost the immune system and fight pathogens.

Other Dog Vulvar Dermatitis Treatments You Can Try

Home remedies are ideal if the condition is mild or occurs in female dogs before puberty or on their first heat.

So, here's a list of other dog vulvar dermatitis treatments that you can give to your puppy:

Topical Medication

You may want to put some ointment on affected areas to relieve pain, discomfort, or itch.

Remember: Make sure to use topical medications that are suitable for dogs.

Don't use any human ointment or over-the-counter options that your vet doesn't recommend.

Otherwise, this might add up to the problem.

Elizabethan collar to prevent licking dog vaginitis

Elizabethan Collar

Nobody likes putting an Elizabethan cone on their pup. But if it helps with the healing process, then it's worth a try.

Although it doesn't directly help with dog vaginitis, putting this cone prevents your dog from licking the affected areas.

This works best when you're putting cream on the rear end, allowing the infection to heal quickly.

Antibiotics

If the cause of dog vaginitis is a bacterial infection, your vet will administer antibiotics to your dogs.

This applies to much older pooches with worse, persistent cases.

Other medical prescriptions include anti-inflammatories, hormone therapy, or glucocorticoids. 

Spaying

If vaginitis in dogs is chronic, topical medications and home remedies may no longer be effective. 

But spaying can be a beneficial procedure for older female dogs, which involves removing the uterus and ovaries.

Also Read: 14 Benefits of Spaying and Neutering Your Dogs

Surgery

As one of the last options for dog vulvar dermatitis treatments, surgeries can be done depending on the cause.

If there's an anatomical anomaly or a foreign body in the vagina, surgery is the best treatment.

This may be a risky, invasive procedure for your pooch, but it saves them from the chronic pain of dog vaginitis in the long run.

vet holding dog with vulvar dermatitis

When to See Your Vet

In cases when dog vulvar dermatitis home remedies don't seem to work, then head to your vet immediately.

That's because this condition is a bit tricky to identify.

So, a series of tests must be done to diagnose canine vaginitis properly, including an assessment of your dog's medical history. 

In other cases, the vet may express the anal glands and assess for signs of tumors, excess skin, or other abnormalities.

dogs vag swollen with dog vaginitis

Common Questions About Dog Vulvar Dermatitis

Check out this list of frequently asked questions from dog owners alike:

Can I Apply Hydrogen Peroxide to My Dog's Vagina?

If you see that the dog's vag is swollen or bleeding, you can clean it up with warm water and a cotton ball. Refrain from using hydrogen peroxide.

You might be tempted to use over-the-counter medication, especially if the dog's vagina appears dirty or bleeding.

However, some human ointments don't work or are dangerous to dogs.

What are the Other Terms for Dog Vulvar Dermatitis?

Dog vulvar dermatitis is often referred to as dog vaginitis. They mean the same and can be used interchangeably.

In other cases, this condition is confused with dog vulva yeast infection. They can be related, but the two are different things.

Yeast infection could result in dog vaginitis in the long run.

That's why it's important to have dog vulvar dermatitis diagnosed by an expert since the symptoms are very similar.

Can I Put Vaseline as an Ointment?

It's not advisable to use over-the-counter or human creams for your dog. However, Vaseline is an exemption.

Make sure that it's fragrance and paraben-free.

Other exemptions include A&D and zinc oxide ointment. 

Apply a small amount of these canine creams into your dog's vulva to protect the skin and ease the discomfort. You can use olive or vegetable oil if you want a natural alternative.

Does Vulvar Dermatitis Go Away on its Own?

Dog vaginitis is common among prepubescent female dogs about to have their first heat cycle. So, you shouldn't worry too much if your teenage pooch has dog vulvar dermatitis.

Once the heat cycle is over, vulvar dermatitis tends to go away on its own.

But in cases that it doesn't, it's best to check with your vet on what caused vaginitis in the first place.

Dog Vulvar Dermatitis Home Remedies: Before You Go…

In today's article, we learned that dog vulvar dermatitis home remedies are basically first-aid and preventive measures.

And it's vital to know that there are ways to help your pups enjoy a healthy life.

However, we recommend seeking your vet's help, especially in severe cases of infection.

Chances are, a simple swelling could mean a serious underlying condition, such as tumors.

This will involve more invasive treatments like surgeries.

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Cheryl Howell