What is the smell coming from my female dog?

Dogs are not necessarily known for smelling like roses, but if your unspayed female dog suddenly gives off a fishy or unpleasant smell, they could have a pyometra. Pyometra is an infection of the uterus, which can be fatal when not treated promptly. If you notice a foul, horrible smell coming from your dog or pus-like vaginal discharge, it's important to learn more about the signs of pyometra so you can give your pet the care they need.

Pyometra (pyo- meaning "pus," and -metra meaning "uterus") is a life-threatening infection of the uterus. It can affect any unspayed female regardless of whether they have been bred. However, it is most common in dogs between the ages of 6 and 10 years who have not had a litter. Studies suggest that approximately one in four intact female dogs under the age of 10 years old will develop a pyometra.

Canine pyometra is most likely to begin between two and eight weeks after a dog's heat cycle. This happens because relaxation of the cervix during estrus can allow bacteria to enter the uterus. Additionally, hormonal changes in a dog's body during heat prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy, which creates an ideal environment for these bacteria to grow. The infection will progress until the uterus fills with harmful pus. You may not notice any apparent signs of the condition until a few months after the heat cycle.

Based on the origin of the infection and presenting signs, there are generally three types of canine pyometra.

The term "closed pyometra" refers to the condition when the infection develops inside the closed uterus. The cervix remains closed and traps pus within the uterus. This type of pyometra is especially dangerous, as it often takes longer to notice signs of illness. However, dogs with a closed pyometra may become sicker more quickly than if their pyometra is open.

The term "open pyometra" is used to describe the condition when the cervix is slightly open, so some pus is able to escape from the uterus. Even though the infection is not completely trapped within the uterus, this type of pyometra is still life-threatening to dogs. An open pyometra is easier to diagnose because there are visible signs of infection, such as a foul-smelling discharge released from the vulva.

Unfortunately, pyometra can occasionally occur in dogs who have been spayed. This type of infection is called a stump pyometra. It can develop when residual uterine or ovarian tissue is left after a spay or as a result of a reaction to the internal suture used during the spay surgery. This type of pyometra can happen as soon as days after the procedure is complete, or even years later. While stump pyometra is relatively uncommon, the signs of this condition are similar to a true pyometra.

Signs of canine pyometra can be difficult to spot, depending on which type of the infection a dog is suffering from. It's important to seek emergency veterinary care if you recognize the following symptoms.

• Vaginal discharge - Discharge from the vulva is only be seen in cases of open pyometra. It may be a green/yellow color, appear white, or look blood-tinged.
• Foul odor - Many people complain of a fishy odor or other unpleasant smell coming from their dog before they are diagnosed with pyometra.
• Distended abdomen - You may notice your dog's belly is rounder or more bloated as a result of pus build up from the infection, and it can cause tenderness in the area.
• Lethargy - A dog with a pyometra will appear to be sluggish and sleepy as all their energy becomes directed at fighting the infection. Some dogs may become so weak that they collapse.
• Loss of appetite - This is a common sign of many illnesses, and a case of canine pyometra is no exception. An animal that doesn't feel well for any reason may not feel like eating, so always take this as an early warning sign that needs to be paid the proper attention.
• Panting - Affected dogs may pant as a result of nausea or pain.
• Fever - As with any infection, fever develops as the immune system attempts to fight off the invaders.
• Increased thirst and urination - You may observe excessive thirst in an infected dog as a response to the fever, but their body will also increase urine output as it tries to flush out the infection.
• Vomiting - This can also be observed with a case of pyometra as well as many other illnesses.

Although you may begin to suspect a uterine infection has developed if you notice one or more of the symptoms listed above, you'll still need your vet's help to make a proper diagnosis and administer life-saving treatment. In addition to looking for the symptoms, your veterinarian will perform a full physical exam.

Part of this examination involves gently palpating the abdomen to feel for an accumulation of fluid. Generally, an ultrasound and/or X-ray is needed to reach a diagnosis. Blood tests are also important to identify any organ damage or sepsis, and these should be performed before your dog goes under anesthesia for treatment.

Treatment is necessary for dogs with pyometra. Otherwise, if they do not receive the necessary care, they will not survive. Surgery to remove the infected uterus and effectively spay the dog is the preferred method of treatment. However, dogs who are very ill, in shock, or septic may need to be stabilized before it is safe for them to go under anesthesia. Post-surgical monitoring is often necessary.

Depending on the severity of the infection, it's possible medical management may be an effective treatment option. Medical treatment for pyometra involves hospitalizing the pet and administering medication to promote contraction of the uterus in order to expel the pus. This is generally only pursued in breeding dogs with open pyometra.

You can help prevent pyometra by having your dog spayed at the appropriate age. However, early detection can help a dog survive pyometra, as they will die without proper treatment. If you have an unspayed female, you must remain vigilant after each heat cycle ends to monitor for signs of this life-threatening infection. Prompt action will give your beloved pet the best chance at a positive outcome.

You've purchased your first female dog, and you've been advised to wait until after her first heat cycle to spay her. It's definitely good advice. You're being a responsible owner and keeping her contained on your property and supervised at all times to prevent an "oops" breeding. But you can't help but notice that some of the neighborhood boys have been hanging around your yard a little more frequently, and you can't help but wonder, "Does my dog give off a smell when she is in heat?" There is definitely something happening with your female dog that is attracting all those handsome boys to a party that seems to be taking place at your house. Nature has designed the reproductive process with some powerful attractors to ensure furtherance of the canine species, and intense scent at the point of peak fertility is one of them. The nose knows when something is up. Your nose may not be sensitive enough to detect it, but your neighbor's dog can! Understanding the stages of the canine reproductive cycle can help us to understand the purpose of the smell our lovely canine ladies seem to emit several times a year.     

Female dogs generally experience heat cycles up to two times annually. During these times a number of hormonal changes take place in the dog's body which can result in unique odors associated with various stages of the dog's fertility season. They are generally not obvious to human beings, but since dogs possess far more sensitive noses than we do, they are very evident to them. Nature has designed these particular smells as part of her design for canine reproduction. There are various stages of a female's heat cycle. One of the earliest stages and usually the best indicator that a female's season has begun is the presence of a vaginal discharge. In the early days of a female's cycle, the discharge is generally the color of blood and is often evidenced by little droplets found in and around the female dog's bedding or on a floor where she has recently walked or played. As her cycle progresses, the texture and color of the flow changes to more of a straw-color. It is this discharge that produces a unique smell that is quite appealing to male dogs. The discharge and the accompanying smell is nature's way of alerting male dogs to the fact that a female is fertile. Since females are only receptive to amorous male attention when they have entered the period of their cycle known as standing heat, this odor helps male dogs to detect when ovulation has occurred, and the female is ripe for conception.  

Many owners report that they have not noticed any change in smell when their female is in season, but experiences vary from owner to owner and dog to dog. Some families report that the odor is particularly strong and unpleasant. It may depend on the olfactory sensitivity of the families or the intensity of the odor of the discharge. On the opposite end of the spectrum, most male dogs are able to detect even the subtlest of hormonal changes in an intact female. Since dogs are wired with an innate need to reproduce themselves, they are equipped with sensitive nasal passages that are capable of sensing when a heat cycle is imminent. It is not uncommon to see an intact male dog crazy with lust long before there are any signs of visible discharge or swelling of the vulva. This is due to the extreme sensitivity he has been wired with to allow him to fulfill his role in the reproductive process.

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Sometimes female canine odors are a result of things other than a heat cycle. It is important to consider every potential problem that might be causing the scent as some of these issues can be serious, and even life-threatening if not identified and treated swiftly by a veterinarian. Pyometra is a very serious and hazardous health condition that can affect intact female dogs. It is an infection of the uterus which is primarily seen in middle-aged intact females. It cannot be overstated how serious pyometra is. Left untreated, it will lead to death. Pyometra will present as a vaginal discharge of a greenish hue, and it has a particularly unpleasant smell.  

Metritis, a condition that affects females after having whelped a litter, also produces an odor that is a cause for concern. Metritis occurs when the lining of the uterus swells due to placentas or unborn puppies that were not expelled at the time of birth. This serious medical problem typically only affects female dogs who have whelped a litter, so if your female has never been bred, metritis is not something that should cause you worry. Of course, there are always other issues unrelated to reproduction or whelping that could be troubling your female dog and causing unpleasant smells. Infections of the skin and ears, whether yeast or bacterial in nature, can cause a female dog to have a strong, pungent odor. Poor dental hygiene and anal glands that need to be expressed can also be culprits for offensive canine smells.  

Though it is not recommended to bathe a female who is in season, there are measures that can be taken to reduce the smell. This is particularly attractive to those who also have male dogs in the house as heat cycles can trigger some undesirable behavior in even the most solid and obedient of males.  

Many experienced breeders and pet owners recommend dosing a female dog with liquid chlorophyll at the first signs of heat. This method has proven to be quite effective in reducing the odor and even masking the scent to male dogs. It is not foolproof, however, and in order to have the most efficacy, timing is critical. It must be started at the very beginning of the female's season in order to be a viable scent-reducing option.

Pet stores and many online retailers also sell doggy diapers. They come in a variety of different styles from a basic cloth diaper in bright colors to tutus and skirts. Each diaper can be lined with a simple panty liner which can be easily removed and discarded as needed. This helps contain any odor. To further eliminate the scent, a small dab of Vicks VapoRub can be rubbed on the outside of the diaper to act as an odor repellent.

Got a stinky female dog? You're not alone! But never fear, this smell is perfectly natural for a female dog in the midst of her heat cycle. While male dogs find the smell to be very alluring, it's not such a treat for their owners. Wondering what you can do to help mask it? Follow our few simple tips to keep the odor to a minimum and the amorous neighborhood boys out of your yard!