Need Help!! Black Lab has had a green vaginal discharge ever since she was spaded, running out of ideas?

Question

Black Lab 8 months old. She was spaded in 08/2006 Never have gotten a good sample of discharge until the vet opened her up. I only notice the discharge after I return home from work and let her outside. The dog is in no pain, and has no other problem other than discharge. First vet that spaded her said it was Puppy Vaginitis and gave her Ciprofloxacin for two weeks. Seemed to get better, then re-appeared a week later. Second vet said it was Puppy Vaginitis and gave her Simplicef for two weeks. Seem to clear up, then re-appeared a week later. Second vet did a bunch of tests and said the stump that the first vet had left after having her spaded was too large and it was giving the bacteria a place to grow. Second vet Surgical removed the infected stump and put her back on Simplicef for two weeks. You guess it, one week later the discharge is back. The vet were at is suppose to be one of the best in area and it seems she is running out of ideas. Thanks for taking the time in reading this.

Answer 1

First, I think it's great that you love her so much that you are willing to keep searching for answers for her. It's also great that you are diligently staying on top of this and watching her symptoms.

Since her vaginal discharge is green, I really tend to believe it is bacterially related. In which case, she does need more antibiotics. It could just be a chronic thing, which is a nuisance, but if you stay on it, you'll get it taken care of. Just like humans, some of us respond better to antibiotics than others, and some of us take longer to heal. Your lab is only 8 months, on top of it all, so her immune system is young and susceptible, yet.

Does she have a temperature? If you don't have the stomach for taking her temperature ("bottoms up, puppy"!), then cuddle her and see if she feels "abnormally" hot to you (I know dogs feel warmer than we do, generally, but you would notice the heat difference if she had a heavy duty fever). Also, is she drinking a lot of fluid? If she is running a fever, she may be drinking more (though it doesn't always work that way). Are her bowels loose? Is she as active as always? She is only 8 months, so she "should" be up to puppy stuff... playing, chewing, and generally "puppy goofy" behaviour.

I found a site that pertains to labs in particular. A lot of the info on vaginal discharge relates to females that are to be bred, however, there is interesting info in that section on bacterial infections. I will put the link for you to check it out in the source list below. Escherichia coli and Streptococcus or, less commonly, Salmonella or Campylobacter are all possible bacterial sources for her potential infection (though I guess the list is endless in our germy little world *smile*). The information I was researching all seems to suggest that it often takes a long term course of antibiotics or a multiple course of antibiotics.

Don't lose heart, please keep taking her back to the vet (the first vet, the second vet, a new vet, some vet *smile*). Personally, I might try yet another vet... sometimes a new perspective can make all the difference. Ask some friends, or just random dog owners who their vet is, and how they like them. Dog lovers will tell you up front if their vet experiences have been good or just "so-so".

Whomever you choose (vet-wise, I mean), go in and tell them that you believe it is an infection. Ask that she (your puppy) be tested for Escherichia coli, Streptococcus, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Brucellosis. If you walk in with your idea(s) to present to the vet and a starting list of what you want done in terms of testing, then you will come off as a man who has done his research and means business. I honestly don't mean that one should go in and be "rude" (because that will just tick them off). It's just that, at this point, you've been struggling to get your baby well for 5 months - that's almost as long as you've had her - and you want to get her well, so you can really enjoy her and she can feel better (she can't be feeling great, no matter how she's behaving, if she's got an infection or "whatever it is").

I'm also going to put a link below for an "ask the vet" site. I'm sure there are lots of those out there. I don't know if this one is really great or not as I haven't personally tried it out, but hey, you're here on yahoo answers, so why not try a vet site, too. ;-D

Last, but not least, (I've been searching for ages on this, so better get something else done today!), hang in there! You're a great dog parent and, obviously, you love your puppy a lot. She's a lucky pup! Let us know what you find out.

Answer 2

I would recommend useing baby wipes to clean her down there twice a day. And it should clear up in about 2 weeks. If you would like to learn more.......read below

Many female puppies may have a vaginal discharge before their first heat. The discharge is a sticky, cloudy or yellow material. There is no odor and the puppy is usually not bothered by it. The discharge consists of mucus, bacteria, and white blood cells.
Several other more serious conditions can also cause a vaginal discharge. For example anatomic abnormalities in the vagina like a stricture, double vagina, or infantile vulva need to be ruled out. A bladder infection or foreign body may also cause a discharge.
After taking a history and examining the puppy your veterinarian can determine how serious the discharge is. The material can be colleted and examined under a microscope to help identify the cause. Has your veterinarian recommend culturing the discharge to see what kind of bacteria is involved and what antibiotic should be used. If the veterinarian suspects the discharge is due to an anatomic problem X-Rays or examination using an instrument called a vaginoscope or endoscope might be needed.
No, it can't be prevented. Some veterinarians recommend waiting until after the puppy has had it's first heat cycle before spaying if there has been a history of puppy vaginitis.The theory is that change in vulva size and position and maturation of vaginal mucosal defense mechanisms are involved. Since she is already spayed this might be a problem that you will have for awhile.

Answer 3

Sounds like she has an infection that the medicines are not clearing up. Try another vet and see what they say. How long was she on the meds? Maybe a longer time on the meds would work better. Some infections, depending on what they are and what caused them, take longer to clear up that others. You see that in people too. Antibiotics for 2 weeks, then in a couple of weeks the infection is back. IMO she should be one meds for a longer period of time.
Good luck with her.

Answer 4

OK, first a spade is a shovel or a suit in a deck of cards. your dog was spayed.

Second, maybe the dog needs to be on meds for 4 weeks and after 3 days off the meds, be re-examined. Maybe, just maybe, the vet should prescribe the antibiotic for 4 weeks, do you think she will do that? At first thought, it seems that would be the best start if the duration of the antibiotics are not working. Maybe even two antibiotics at one time.

Good luck!

Answer 5

It sounds like vaginitis. Since it clears up and then comes right back, the antibiotics are working... perhaps not on long enough, or the vet isnt treating the primary cause. Someties the vulva can be involuted and that can be a constant cause of infection. This needs to be surgically repaired. A specialist needs to do the sx, most private practices dont do the surgery. you will need a referral.

Answer 6

I believe she needs an IV drip of the antibiotic, but that is very expensive. Talk to your vet about this, and consider the expense and effectiveness of an IV drip.
I am a retired nurse, and that is what we would do for a human with same type of problem.
another approach would be holistically..to increase the function of her immune system.
This supplement may be of big help, and will certainly be beneficial to her> http://springtimeinc.com/product/88/2
I would contact Marina Zacharias. If there is anything that can be done, she would be the one to know. I have asked her permission to post contact info on this forum..She replies quickly to emails, and if you phone, she is in PST zone. Her consults are free> http://www.naturalrearing.com/how_to_contact_us.htm
She has helped me many times over the past 20 years..

Answer 7

It definitely sounds like vaginitis from the way you've described it, but the only way to be sure it to take the dog to the vet. Preferrably a different one than the one you've been seeing. A second opinion would be most useful here.

Answer 8

Goodness! Your guess is good as mine. I figured it would be an infection from the operation. If keeps continuing and the 2 different doctors can't seem to solve and you still want to continue paying vet bills, try a 3rd opinion.

Answer 9

Don't have veterinary training but I urge you to call back vet #2 and ask for follow up treatment -- maybe a different antibiotioc. Don't delay because internal infections can become serious.

And I really admire the way you are taking good care of your dog and asking questions. Good for you!

Answer 10

You need to cnontact the doctor that you take your pet goes to as fast as possible because tha is not normal at all. Possibley call other vets too because yours might not know what to do and it takes more then one vet to give you the information you need. Some vets take longer then the other.