What this means
What matters is the female dog's situation: whether she is spayed, when her last season was, whether she could be pregnant, and whether she has recently had puppies. A season, which usually lasts a few weeks, comes with bloody discharge and that is normal. But a discharge that appears weeks after a season, or is pus-like, yellowish or greenish and foul-smelling, needs to be examined.
Note the colour, amount and smell of the discharge, and whether it flows all the time or only at certain moments. Note too whether she licks herself more than usual, drinks and urinates more, is lethargic or vomiting, or has a swollen belly. Infection of the womb, which sometimes develops weeks after a season, can show only as lethargy and thirst even when no discharge can be seen.
A pregnant or whelping bitch also has discharge, and some of it is normal, but a greenish or dark discharge before a puppy is born, or prolonged straining with no puppy, is urgent. In every case write down when the discharge appeared and what it looked like, and tell the vet.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your dog.
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A normal season
A season usually lasts a few weeks, the bitch has a bloody or pinkish discharge and the vulva swells. It is not an illness if she feels well.
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Infection of the womb or a build-up of pus
Sometimes begins weeks after a season, especially in unspayed bitches. The discharge may be pus-like and foul-smelling, but sometimes none is seen at all and she is only lethargic, drinking a lot and off her food.
About the condition: Pyometra -
Inflammation of the vagina or genital tract
Inflammation causes a discharge, often with rubbing or licking. The bitch is otherwise usually well.
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Problems with giving birth
When whelping is not going well there may be a greenish or dark discharge, long straining or no progress with the puppies. This is an emergency.
About the condition: Birthing difficulties -
Discharge after giving birth
For a few weeks after whelping the bitch has a dark, bloody discharge. If it becomes pus-like, foul-smelling or she has a fever and is lethargic, she needs examining.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Whether she is spayed, when her last season was and whether she could be pregnant
- The colour, amount and smell of the discharge
- Whether she licks herself more than usual
- Whether she drinks and urinates more
- Whether she is lethargic, vomiting or eating less
- Whether the belly looks bigger
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit the same or the next day if you see a pus-like or foul-smelling discharge, or a discharge that appeared weeks after a season. If she is lethargic, vomiting, drinking a lot or there are problems giving birth, go straight away.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Reproductive problems General health This is an umbrella term for various conditions that make it hard for a female to conceive or carry a litter, or for a male to sire one. The causes vary: hormonal imbalances, infections, the structure of the reproductive organs or age. What is getting in the way for a particular dog is for a vet to work out.
- Birthing difficulties General health Birthing difficulties are when a female dog can't deliver her puppies on her own: a puppy is too large or badly positioned, the birth canal is too narrow, or the uterus contracts too weakly. It puts both the mother and the puppies at risk. If you are planning a litter, it is worth discussing the birth with a vet in advance and knowing where to turn at any hour.
- Pyometra General health Pyometra is a pus-filled infection of the womb that can develop in an unspayed bitch in the weeks after a season. Pus collects in the womb, and substances released by the bacteria harm the whole body. The condition can quickly become life-threatening, so the bitch needs a vet immediately.
Body systems: General health