My spayed dog is licking, itching, coughing, and has a swollen vulva.

Hello, I am sorry to hear about Cinammon. If Cinnamon recently had puppies it is possible that she may have some swelling and irritation secondary to inflammation in that area. Since Cinnamon was also spayed recently, I recommend that she wear an e-collar or something to prevent licking of her incision during the healing process. This will also help prevent her from licking at her vulva. Licking can predispose pets to further irritation and infection. If the swelling does not resolve or you begin to notice any colored or odorous discharge please have Cinnamon seen by a veterinarian. Hope this helps!

Licking and biting excessively at the vulva is often a sign of a urinary tract infection, vaginitis, or certain types of allergies. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do at home to treat any of these problems effectively, so I would recommend taking her to the vet tomorrow for an exam if possible - she will probably need prescription antibiotics or other medication to treat the problem.

Yes, Sadie's mammary glands will eventually return back to a normal size, although it may take several months. If you notice any swelling, discharge, or masses in the area of her mammary glands, please have her seen by a veterinarian, as she may have an infection. You can put an e-collar (cone) on her for the next week or two to help prevent her from licking at the area.

Hazel could be coughing after drinking the water if it is cold and shocking her a little when she drinks, you could try giving her water at room temp. However, it could be a sign that there is a source of irritation in her throat. For example if she had a problem with the opening to her trachea some water could be going the wrong way causing her to cough. I would expect her to show other signs though if this was the case. If it gets worse or persists at could warrant an investigation at the vets. Most dogs will have a rest after a walk. As long as she has plenty of energy when out I wouldn't worry too much. Spayed dogs can still get an infection in the vagina so if she persistently licks or you can see a wound or discharge I would visit the vet.

I'm sorry to hear that Dakota has been experiencing so much clipper burn, but I'm glad that her incision is healing well. Since Dakota cannot lick her incision (and presumably her paws too), try putting baby socks on her paws so that her nails cannot irritate her skin further should she scratch more. A small amount of hydrocortisone cream applied to the irritated skin (but not the near the incision!) may alleviate Dakota's discomfort. If this issue persists or worsens, I recommend calling Dakota's vet. I hope that she feels better soon!

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. You should clean the wound with cotton buds and warm, boiled water 2-3 times a day until you see your vet. Putting a cone back on is an excellent idea too. Your vet will likely prescribe Apollyon an antibiotic cream and maybe will put a stitch or two to close the small opening in the wound.

I am concerned that it looks like bruising, and that there appears to be a large scab over the incision. Neither of these things are particularly uncommon, but both warrant an exam by a veterinarian to ensure that there is no infection, fluid pockets, or bleeding that could occur after any surgery. Also, make sure that Sandy wears her e-collar at all times to prevent licking as this could make the possible issues even worse.