Discharge in puppies: causes and treatment

Author: Laura McKinney
Date Of Creation: 5 August 2021
Update Date: 1 November 2024
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Reproductive problems can arise in dogs of any breed and age. However, depending on age, lifestyle, if she is neutered or whole and in which reproductive cycle the bitch is in, it is possible to think of different differential diagnoses.

One of the most common symptoms of problems involving the urogenital system and causing much concern is vaginal discharge, seen outside the vulva by guardians. If you noticed any type of discharge in your dog, then continue reading this PeritoAnimal article to learn more about runny in puppies as we will explain what it can be, what to do, how to treat and prevent it.

Runny in bitches

Vaginitis is inflammation of the vagina and vulvitis is inflammation of the vulva. When inflammation of these two structures occurs, it is called vulvovaginitis and one of the most common symptoms is vaginal discharge.


already the bladder inflammation takes the designation of cystitis and discharge in bitches can also appear as a clinical sign of a urinary tract infection.

Vaginal discharge in dogs is any liquid that comes out of the vagina and, when it appears in abnormal amounts, outside the reproductive cycle or with changes in characteristics, it can indicate that something is not right. The discharge is produced in cases of:

  • Hormonal influence;
  • Infection (vaginal, uterine or urinary);
  • Lesion;
  • Strange body;
  • Tumors.

he can present different consistencies (pasty, mucoid or watery) and colorations (translucent, hemorrhagic, red to brown or purulent, with pus that varies between yellow and green) and, according to these characteristics, it can indicate what kind of problem the dog has.


Types of discharge in puppies and the causes

As we have seen, the characteristics of the discharge in bitches can indicate what is happening in the urogenital tract and it is very important to identify the cause. Below we will explain the possible causes of discharge in female dogs.

Runoff in puppies due to bacterial infections

The urethra ends at the vulva, and as such an infection in the uterus/vagina can cause a urinary tract infection or vice versa, ie the probability of occurring cross contamination It's very big.

An imbalance of the vaginal microflora can lead to bacterial overgrowth which leads to infection of the vaginal mucosa, further inflammation and increased discharge of discharge. Depending on the degree of infection, the color of the discharge can vary between white, yellow or various shades of green. This type of discharge is called purulent and indicates the presence of bacteria and that's when we have runny yellow bitch puppy.


In addition to cross-contamination between the urethra and vagina, there may be contamination by enteric (intestinal) bacteria because it is too close to the anal region, which can also cause infection that manifests as a yellow or greenish discharge. Furthermore, puppy with white discharge it can also indicate infection. These infections can occur in very young, adult or even old bitches.

In case of vulvovaginitis in bitches, symptoms can be added to the vaginal discharge:

  • Fever;
  • Loss of appetite;
  • Weight loss;
  • Increased water intake (polydipsia);
  • Increased urination (polyuria);
  • Apathy;
  • Vaginal licking.

Discharge in puppies due to urinary infection

In case of urinary cystitis/infection, there are other symptoms that you can be aware of:

  • Pain and difficulty urinating (dysuria);
  • Urinate small amounts and more frequently (polakiuria);
  • Bloody urine (haematuria);
  • Licking the region;
  • Blood in urine (haematuria).

If simple and detected early, it is easier to treat, if, on the contrary, it is severe or not treated in time, it can reach the kidneys and cause much more serious problems.

Discharge in puppies due to immaturity of the reproductive system (prepubertal vaginitis)

Sometimes, the bitch has not yet reached sexual maturity or had her first heat (estrus) and she expels a generally translucent, colorless discharge, similar to egg white. This one egg white runny in bitches, it is very common females among the 8 and 12 weeks old. It can last a few days and be confused with the first heat once it is observed:

  • Swollen vulva (swollen, more prominent);
  • Bitch licks the region a lot;
  • Males show interest as if in heat.

However, to facilitate the distinction, the first heat is accompanied by a bloody/hemorrhagic (red) discharge.

If it is prepubertal vaginitis, control the color and duration of this discharge, most cases are a passing situation., has no implications for the animal's health and does not need treatment.

Runoff in puppies by first estrus (estrus)

A dog has her first heat (estrus), that is, enters a fertile period for the first time, between 7 and 10 months old, however there is a variation between small and large breeds and even among individuals, it can appear as early as 6 months of age or later at 24 months of age.

While bitches of small breeds enter puberty earlier and their first heat usually occurs between 6 or 7 months, large breeds are around 10 or 12 months old and giant breeds can reach 18 or 24 months.

During heat, a bloody discharge occurs, like a woman's menstruation, which lasts for a few days (3 to 17 days). After and before these days, there may be a discharge of consistency between viscous and fluid and translucent in color, preceding or preceding this bloody discharge.

So, bitch with runny after heat it is very common, since at the end of this bloody discharge, it can continue to be expelled without coloring until the fertile phase of the reproductive cycle ends.

Usually, the bitch goes into heat twice a year. To learn more about bitch in heat, read this article by PeritoAnimal.

Runoff in puppies due to anatomical anomalies of the reproductive organs

Some abnormalities that can cause increased discharge of discharge and must be investigated through various tests and exams. In this case, the discharge can present several colors and, being an anatomical situation, is always present in the bitch until resolution of the problem.

Discharge in puppies due to anatomical anomalies of the reproductive organs caused by viruses (such as herpeviruses)

Virus infections can also cause white, yellow, or greenish discharge in young dogs.Being something contagious among dogs, be careful for the bitch not to come into contact with unvaccinated dogs until she has all the vaccinations up to date.

Runoff in bitches due to anatomical anomalies of the reproductive organs caused by pyometra

Pyometra in bitches is an infection of the uterus that causes accumulation of pus and other secretions inside it, which can be expelled to the outside (if it is an open pyometra) or accumulate inside it without expelling (in the case of pyometra closed, a more serious situation).

Although it is more common in unneutered adult bitches, over 5 years old, it is important to talk about this situation because it is something very frequent and dangerous. The only viable treatment is to castrate the dog and prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs after surgery.

Runny bitch: diagnosis and treatment

There are many reasons for a female dog to discharge, some are more serious than others. Regardless, it is important to act as quickly as possible to prevent the situation from getting worse. The veterinarian will do a set of questions about the dog's lifestyle, perform a physical exam for fever, signs of illness, and look at the vagina. Then, you can use complementary tests such as vaccine cytology, urinalysis, blood tests and biochemistry to see if it is a systemic infection.

O treatment for a bitch with runny it will depend on the cause:

  • Prepubertal vaginitis usually does not require treatment.
  • If it is an infection, treatment involves antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. For urinary infections it may be recommended to change the diet to a more suitable one that prevents infections and the formation of urinary stones.
  • Piometra only castration is advised with treatment, as this problem has a tendency to relapse and is very dangerous if not detected in time.

As prevention, castration is advised, avoiding problems such as breast tumors and uterine infections that may arise throughout the dog's life.

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Discharge in puppies: causes and treatment, we recommend that you enter our section on Diseases of the reproductive system.