My puppy's vulva and nipples are swollen after heat, plus hair loss?

It is not unusual for the vulva to remain swollen for a period of time after the "heat" cycle is over. In dogs, there are [4 stages of estrus](https://www.petcoach.co/article/anatomy-and-function-of-the-reproductive-system-in-dogs). The combination of proestrus and estrus, which is often referred to as "heat" by breeders, lasts approximately 21 days. "Heat" is followed by diestrus and anestrus. During proestrus, the vulva swells and has a bloody discharge. During estrus, the vulva softens and becomes pliable in preparation for mating. It can take several weeks following estrus for the vulva to shrink back down in size, but it will never go back to the size it was before the first heat cycle. The same is true of the mammary glands, which enlarge slightly in preparation for [pregnancy](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/pregnancy/).

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It is possible that Harley could be going through something called 'pseudo-pregnancy'. Dogs can develop mammary glands, produce milk, and will sometimes even start to nest and collect small stuffed animals to nurse. This is normal and will subside in a few weeks. However, it is recommended to get her spayed before her next heat so she doesn't have to go through that stress again. The other possible cause is something called a pyometra. This is an infected uterus and is life-threatening. If you notice any discharge from her vulva, if she is weak, not eating, drinking more, or acting abnormally at all, I would have her seen by your vet right away. Best of luck with Harley.

Yes if she didn’t get bred she could be having a false pregnancy. If you don’t plan to breed her I do recommend having her spayed. Dogs that have irregular heat cycles and false pregnancies can get uterine infections that can be very serious and need emergency treatment and spaying. Also the constant hormonal ups and downs make dogs moody and may be a factor in developing breast cancer sometimes later in life. A false pregnancy can last the nine weeks of a normal pregnancy then she should get over it a week or two after that. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Lily.

I would recommend that you have Chowper examined by a veterinarian. It is hard to see the pictures since they are a little dark and blurry. I am seeing areas of hair loss, and possibly bruising in the third picture. A common cause of hair loss in young dogs is demodectic mange. This would require treatment with a veterinarian. Other possible causes for hair loss include fleas, lice, infections (bacterial or yeast), ringworm, allergies, among others. A vet can examine the skin and determine what is the cause so that she can be started on the best treatment. A swollen vulva with red discharge can be caused by a dog being in heat or in labor. If her mammary glands are enlarged, then it is possible that she is pregnant, since this does not normally happen in dogs in heat. While it is not common in younger dogs, it is still possible that she has an infection in her uterus (called a pyometra), which would require emergency vet care.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to see that Skye is having some problems. A skin rash can be caused by many things including a bacterial skin infection secondary to fleas, ticks, mites, allergies, contact irritants in her environment, drug reactions, reactions to flea/tick products, skin reactions to intestinal worms, nutritional problems etc. I see she is not spayed but don't have an age. The swelling near her vagina/vulva looks like the beginning stages of her heat cycle. Swelling occurs first then they will develop the bloody discharge of the heat cycle. I would advise a good Oatmeal shampoo without detergents/soap and a good Oatmeal conditioner for her, a good flea/tick product, and a good diet. If the rash continues or she becomes very itchy, I would advise taking her to your veterinarian and let them evaluate her and possibly recommend some tests to diagnose what the problem is. There are skin tests that can be performed if mites or fungal organisms are suspected. Once a diagnosis is made, they can advise a sound treatment plan. Monitor her for signs of heat- swelling, bloody discharge, decreased appetite, wanting to roam, odd behavior, etc. You can talk to your veterinarian about spaying her also. Good luck with Skye.

Hello. This is nothing to be overly concerned about. Manakoa is old enough that there are hormones circulating & this nipple just seems to be a little more sensitive to the effects of estrogen at this point in time. If you were planning on spaying her, this is a good time to consider doing so, but otherwise, as long as the nipple does not continue to show further hormonal influence, it should not significantly affect her. If it does continue to enlarge & seems to bother her, do see your vet. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I don't think the spots are connected to her heat cycle. If Tammy is otherwise acting completely normal I think you can take her to your Vet in the morning. You can also post a picture of the spots here and we can try to give you more ideas on what they could be. Possibilities are bruising, a skin infection, hot spots, etc. The full mammary glands are likely connected to her heat cycle. Sometimes dogs can even experience a false pregnancy after they are in heat. This is a hormonal imbalance that makes the body think it is pregnant when it isn't. The mammary glands can become engorged and even produce milk, the dog can nest and carry stuffed animals around like babies, be anxious and clingy. It does go away. I wish Tammy the best!