Hi All:

I have a 7 month old GSD female and approximately a month and a half ago, I noticed a weird mucusy discharge around her genital area. She was spayed 10 days ago and this morning I noticed the discharge once again. It comes and goes in frequency and sometimes it a long stringy thing that you can see. It's kind of gross but I'm trying to figure out if it's harmful or not. It's clearish in color and has no odor. She eats normally and pees/poops regularly and without any sort of exertion or pain. I feed her Natural Balance dry food with a spoonful of wet food daily. I add a daily pet vitamin to her food along with 2 Salmon Oil supplements to her food. Can anyone provide any assistance? Thanks in advance.

 Quote:

Hi All:

I have a 7 month old GSD female and approximately a month and a half ago, I noticed a weird mucusy discharge around her genital area.

The lack of odor is a good sign, IMO. Serious infection frequently involves bad smells.

If she is scooting her bottom on the floor/carpet or licking at the area, that would probably indicate itching.

This is what I would do:

I would take her temperature, and then call the vet with that info at hand. (Fever would be a reason to see the vet as soon as possible, IMO.)

Then I would describe to the vet the discharge and the intermittent pattern, along with whether or not she's scooting or licking. The vet might then say this is likely to be mild vaginitis and will tell you what to do/look for, or the vet might say (if there is fever, scooting, etc.) to come in.

No matter what, I would SEE the vet if any inflammation, odor, straining to pee, urinary incontinence, change in the color or consistency of the discharge, blood, or fever started.

I'm not a health professional; these are just my own non-professional thoughts about it. I have found that a good description on the telephone with the vet can sometimes result in reassurance and a wait-and-see instruction with specifics about what to watch for.

Thanks very much. Talked to the vet and she confirmed vaginitis. Did not want to put her on antibiotics. She felt that would have been overkill and is overprescribed in her opinion. She figured now that she's spayed, it will start to decrease/go away and if it's excessive, to just clean it with a wet nap. Thanks again.

isn't it nice to have a vet that doesn't over-react? gotta love it... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, really like my vet. They're very professional, are strong believers in not over vaccinating a dog and they take the time to get to know the dog before examining them. If anyone's ever looking for a good vet in the Boston area, check out VCA Wakefield. Little pricey but definitely worth it.