What is this?

[leann357]

I have a mixed little dog, about 15 lbs. She was maybe 5weeks old when we found her. That was 7 months ago. I have noticed the last couple of days her vagina seems to be swollen. Not too bad so when i did notice i wondered has it always been like this or just starting to swell My husband was petting her tonight, rubbing her belly, he sad Hailey had white stuff coming out of her. Like a womans' white discharge. Anyone know what I am talking about. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[alwaysbelieve]

I'm not sure exactly what's available by you, but here (Nashville) there are some programs available to help offset the cost of spaying/neutering. Try a search and see what comes up.

Hope your little one is doing better :)

[kbe234]

hello, sounds like she is coming into heat for the first time. if you don't see signs of blood it could be a urinary tract infection. make her a little bit of apple cider vinegar water and let her drink some. this is good for this kind of infection. she may not drink it, if not give it to her in a syringe. don't let her just drink and drink it, give it to her like medicine doses-you don't want her to dehydrate. that is what i give my little precious--minature rat terrier--when she displays tract infections, etc. if all else please take her to a VET if you are uncertain. i can only tell you from my own experience. if she is in heat her teats should start to swell and be more noticeable. i hope i have helped you in some way. god bless-kbe234

[leann357]

No, I have not had her spayed yet. It will be a few months before I can do that, financially speaking. She maybe coming into heat, I noticed this evening, after work, she is a little more swollen but not too bad. She has a slight discharge, no odor. I cannot take her to the vet now, I am struggling financially at this time. Is there anything else I can do if this is not her heat. What if it is an infection, is there something I can do here at home????? Thanks.

[Margot49]

considering the age and swelling, my guess would be she is coming in season unless (I hope) you've had her spay.  If not, I suggest you do so ASAP.  If she is coming in season, you'd better watch very closely and don't let her out alone.  Male dogs have been known to dig under and jump over fences to get at females in season.  
It may be an infection but the discharge would probably be colored and have an odor.
If in doubt, best to get it checked.  

[leann357]

She is fine otherwise, she is eating, drinking and playing. I assume she has not been spayed since she was so young when we found her. Dogs get vaginitis?  Well yea, I guess they can. Never really thought about it. Thanks!!!!

[ginger899]

(sorry, I didn't word my answer very well. I'm trying to multi-task at the moment!....What I was trying to say was if she HAS been spayed, then this couldn't be connected to her first 'heat' cycle, and is likely to be an infection.)

[ginger899]

Do you know -has she been spayed or not? If she has, it's possible she could have an infection down there. This sounds like it could be vaginitis.
And how is she otherwise? Most often unless the infection is serious, dogs show no sign of being unwell when they have this.

I would definitely take her to the vet. They may take swabs to see if this is an infection or not. If it is, antibiotics should clear it up.