Discharges in a pregnant dog: norm or symptom

Discharge in a dog during pregnancy and shortly after birth can be a manifestation of physiological or pathological processes. What kind of reaction of the body include vaginal discharge of a bitch, you can determine if you know how normal physiological look, and what they accompany, and which indicate pathology.

Causes of normal discharge

Discharges in dogs that appear from the loop normally accompany changes in the condition and structure of the internal genital organs. Reproduction of the dog is ovarian type. As a result of the impact on the reproductive system of a complex “cocktail” of hormones in the ovaries of a female, sex gametes, follicles, mature. During this period, the ovaries produce sex hormones - estrogens, progestins and androgens.

The inner layer of the uterus is also preparing for the introduction of a fertilized egg. There is a swelling and loosening of the endometrium - the inner layer of the uterus, the release of a large amount of mucus. In addition, spotting appears from the vagina, which indicates that the dog’s body is ready for fertilization. The estrus is a cyclical phenomenon that occurs in dogs twice a year. And the discharge accompanying estrus from the loop is the norm.

Some time after mating, a secret is secreted from the genital tract of the bitch, which indicates successful fertilization. On 20-21 days after mating from the loop, after urination, a liquid, transparent discharge or yellowish-white mucus appears without an unpleasant odor. So the bitch’s body reacts to the dog’s seminal fluid.

In addition, unfertilized oocytes come out with mucus. At the 3rd week after mating, from the vulva, the remains of the mucous plug are secreted, which “seals” the cervix. Sometimes streaks of blood are noticeable in the discharge, but this is a normal physiological reaction. At different periods of the dog’s pregnancy, it is also possible to observe mucous discharge from the loop that accompanies changes in the reproductive organs.

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Discharge during pregnancy and after childbirth

At 3-4 weeks of gestation, the female has characteristic mucous discharge. Such "snot" can hang from the vagina. They glue the hair in the perineum and form a crust. If the dog does not lick on its own, then it should be washed to avoid skin irritation around the loop.

Clots of greenish or almost black color are sometimes found in the mucus - this organism rejects embryos that died in the early stages of pregnancy. In case they did not come out with mucus, then the mummified remains will be excreted during childbirth.

Traces of blood in mucus secreted can be dangerous. In this case, you must immediately contact your veterinarian. The presence of blood in the discharge may be a sign of rupture of the uterus or other pathology.

For 1-2 days before giving birth, a detachment of a different color appears from the loop - transparent, whitish, in consistency similar to raw egg white. Greenish-lime or brown mucus can give traces of blood from bursting, as a result of the opening of the cervix, capillaries. The exit of the cork is a characteristic harbinger of the approaching birth.

For some time in the postpartum period, the dog also has a diverse discharge caused by the cleansing of the uterus and the birth canal:

discharge with greenish blotches is the norm. “Blown” proteins give the discharge a distinctive look and color;
dark, almost black discharge without putrefactive odor and lasting no more than 1-2 days should not cause concern, if not accompanied by a change in the behavior and condition of the dog.

After the stage of cleansing the uterus is over, the discharge gradually becomes transparent, and their number decreases. By the end of 3 weeks, they usually stop completely. Depending on the number of puppies in the litter and the size of the female, the smearing scanty discharge can last up to 4 weeks. If the "daub" lasts longer, then you should contact your veterinarian for advice.

Pathological discharge

Discharges that have an unpleasant odor, an admixture of blood or pus at any stage of the dog's life, are alarming symptoms of pathological processes. Allocations can indicate the following diseases of the urogenital system:

vaginitis - accompanied by secretions of different colors and consistencies, which is a sign of the inflammatory process in the vagina;
endometritis , pyometra , myxometer - with hyperplasia of the uterine endometrium, mucus accumulates in its cavity. When a secondary infection is attached, a mucous secretion with pus and an admixture of blood is secreted from the loop;
inflammation of the entrance to the vagina - sometimes mechanical injuries during mating lead to pathology, which is accompanied by the expiration of the serous secretion of a watery or creamy consistency, etc.

These pathologies are especially dangerous during pregnancy, since inflammation can affect the uterus and cause the death of embryos. A mucus with an admixture of pus and a sharp, characteristic putrefactive odor at any stage of pregnancy indicate that dead puppies decompose in the uterus or the child's place - the placenta - is rejected. If you seek medical help quickly, there is hope for the salvation of the surviving puppies and bitches.

Black discharge in the last trimester of pregnancy may indicate both intrauterine death of the puppies and the severe course of the inflammatory process in the vagina. In any case, you urgently need to contact a veterinarian, undergo a biochemical examination and do an ultrasound scan.

If the owner of the dog is inexperienced and any discharge from the loop in the bitch is alarming, you should consult your doctor to determine if the discharge is physiological or a symptom of inflammatory disease. Careful monitoring of the bitch during pregnancy, assessment of the type and consistency of detachable from the loop will help to obtain viable offspring and maintain the health of the dog.