Why does my dog have gray spots/scabs on her vulva post-vulvoplasty?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks like a focal infection. You can try to use chlorhexidine containing pads (such as the Douxo chlorhexidine 3% PS pads) to clean the are twice daily for 7 days. You may find these online or at your local pet store. If there is no improvement or in the meantime this appears to be getting worse, have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!


Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the photo you provided, I suspect that Viking may have a skin infection. I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at this so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. If you are unable to get to a veterinarian right away, I would recommend the below following products which can be found online quite easily. If there is no improvement or the condition worsens, I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at it. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. 1. Douxo PS Chlorhexidine combination shampoo and bathe twice weekly until resolved 2. Malacetic conditioning spray and apply to the affected area 2-3 times per day until resolved 3. Essential 6 spot on by Dermoscent 4. Welactin omega 3 fish oil capsules for dogs.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is likely saliva staining. Often times licking usually means itchiness which in turn could potentially be due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the pictures you provided, I suspect this may be a bacterial skin infection. This may have been a pustule that has ruptured. I would recommend using the below products, which can all be found online quite easily. If these do not help, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Lalo if possible so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. 1. Douxo PS Chlorhexidine combination shampoo and bathe twice weekly until resolved 2. Malacetic conditioning spray and apply to the area 2-3 times per day until resolved 3. Welactin omega 3 fish oil 4. Essential 6 spot on by Dermoscent

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. This could be a skin infection (bacterial or fungal). I would recommend using a shampoo such as PS Douxo Chlorhexidine combination shampoo and bathe twice weekly until resolved. I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. The above shampoo can be found online. If the areas worsen or persist, I would recheck with the veterinarian for further testing and treatment options.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Maya. This looks like bacterial dermatitis, also known as a staph infection. This condition is caused by a bacteria known as Staphylococcus pseudointermedius. It is a normal bacterial resident on the skin of dogs and very commonly causes problems like this in dogs. Sometimes the cause is unknown and other times it's caused by external parasites (fleas, ticks, mites, etc), allergies to inhaled allergens/flea bite allergies/or food allergies, contact irritants or allergens, internal organ problems, intestinal parasite problems, nutritional problems, a primary bacterial skin problem, and the list goes on. Most of the time it is hard to narrow down the causative problem. This is NOT Contagious between dogs or people. this area is small enough that you could probably monitor it unless Maya is licking it and it's bothering her. If you do decide to take her (or it worsens, or other signs develop) your vet can take a detailed history and do a complete exam with diagnostics to follow if indicated. Sometimes these infections are stubborn and require oral antibiotics and medicines for itching because this condition can become rather itchy and irritating for the pet. Antihistamines or even steroids are used to calm the itch depending upon the level of itching and the suspected cause. Fish oil is also good for the skin and all organs of the body as they are anti-inflammatory. Many other strategies can be employed such as a benzoyl peroxide medicated shampoo. Good luck

It could be a bacterial infection or a yeast infection. Generally these occur just due to the nature of the skin in the area--the environment is dark in the skin folds, and there is some moisture from the skin and sometimes from urine as well. If it is not bothering her (she is definitely not licking at it, etc) it could also be just waxy secretions/plugged hair follicles, etc. You can try using just plain Witch Hazel (available at any pharmacy) on a cotton swab or pad once or twice a day for a few days to see if that helps; however if it does not help or if this seems to irritate her skin further or if she does not like it when you do this, DO NOT CONTINUE TO ATTEMPT THIS METHOD. Take her to the vet. And if you do try just cleaning it at home, take her in if you aren't seeing an improvement within 2-3 days. Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!