My female dog has spots on her vulva and a urine odor. What's wrong?

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!

This presentation could be due to a localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.

I would recommend that you have these spots examined by a vet. It could be a small pyoderma or skin infection, which is common in young dogs, or could be related to urine pooling in the area (especially if she has a recessed vulva). Or it could be something else. The vet will examine it and may take a small sample to be examined under a microscope.

Hi, she is probably suffering with incontinence, do you ever see any urine after she lies down or in the morning after her sleep ? I would also rule out a urinary tract infection with a simple urine test. The incontinence can be easily cured with some medications from your vet. Those areas around her vagina that have turned black are likely secondary to the incontinence and the care from your other dog. I don’t think you should worry about these signs before your holidays but the sooner you get her seen and started on the meds and the more comfortable she will be.

Those black specks are basically blackheads (comedones) and the bump is likely a follicular cyst. Nothing is too worriesome. I would use a Benzoyl Peroxide product like for acne. NOT hydrogen peroxide. I suggest this one. The ones you buy over the counter for humans are not the correct strength. This product is more concentrated. ( http://www.allivet.com/p-7689-benzoyl-peroxide-gel-5.aspx ) If no improvement in about 7-10 days then you should get her to your vet for an exam. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Based on the photos you provided, it appears as though Kahlua may have a skin infection with the red bumps on the abdomen and near her vulva. I would recommend having her examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate treatment can be recommended. She will likely need an oral antibiotic as well as topical therapy to treat this. The vulva can be assessed more closely on examination as well. Please let me know if you have any further questions and I would be more than happy to help you further.

This looks like pigment around her vulva. If it is new then it could be from skin irritation or licking. If you haven’t seen her licking and there is no redness it may not require any specific treatment. If there are other skin lesions or she seems itchy or you see licking I’d recommend having your vet examine her.