Hi
I've always had spayed females so please forgive my ignorance. I have a 10 month old bitch who finished her 1st heat 3 weeks ago. There is still a foul smell coming from her vaginal/vulva area. It improves after a bath but is back in 4 days. Don't know if this is normal or if there is a possible infection. No discharge or other symptoms and she feels great. This only started after her heat.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
Lynn

Have you taken her to the vet to rule out infection?

I would make an appointment with the vet.

Good luck!

Thanks. Will do!

Breed white shepherds for a while and I never remember a foul smell. Time ti bite the bullet and go to vet

Lynn,
Also too, I had a female years ago with that problem , come to find out she had a tucked vulva, and would get urinary tract infections from it and especially after her heat cycle.She had to be on meds often.I ended up spaying her but have your vet check for that cause a lot of vets don't bother to look at that.
Good luck at the vet and I hope it's nothing major.

Thanks Angelique, I'll have them check for that too. Poor doggie, I'm sure it's not serious but I'd feel better having her all checked.

 Quote: Lynn Ballard 2

Thanks Angelique, I'll have them check for that too. Poor doggie, I'm sure it's not serious but I'd feel better having her all checked.

Hi Lynn. I hope your vet visit went well and all is OK.

After getting through a bout with an Open Pyometra this summer with our intact female, I will personally NEVER take any sign of infection shortly following a heat cycle lightly. We're lucky she's 1) still alive and 2) still intact. The symptoms you describe do not match what we saw exactly. But what we did learn was a whole lot about how the standard female immune system goes through a period of being weakened during the hormonal changes following a heat cycle where a breeding does not take place. (at least that is the best explanation I think I heard - in cliff note version - of how Pyometra occurs)

We hope we are strengthening our position against future recurrences by 1) breeding her on this cycle (pregnancy not confirmed yet) and 2) feeding her a raw diet including the recommended supplements to help strengthen her immune system generally and 3) reading up / researching newer info on how over-vaccinating contributes to problems.

While I'm not suggesting this particular problem is your problem, I would certainly be wary of any infection symptoms shortly following a heat cycle after having gone through this.

Best wishes - hope it's something simple!!

Beth

Hi all,
Just thought I'd give you an update. No problem with her. The smell is the just the remainder slough off of tissue that happens after the heat cycle. He said as long as her vulva is still swollen, then there is a chance for this smell. If it continues then we need to recheck her but so far no problem.
I have a lot to learn.
Thanks for your comments.
Lynn

Beth,
Our doc told us about Open Pyometra and is does sounds scary. I'm glad your female is doing well.
Thanks again.
Lynn