My dog's vulva is black after her first heat. Should I be worried?

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/).

She is going out of heat and you will Roxie the swelling start to decrease. If there is no mucous vaginal discharge and she is acting normally, then I would not worry about the skin changing colors. There is not a known condition that causes this, but it is normal and usually will turn back with time. You may notice this happen on her belly too and it does not have to be related to a heat cycle

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. Her swollen vulva and the blood tinged discharge are consist with her heat cycle starting. However, the lesion in the pictures is abnormal. She could have traumatized herself by licking. If there is tissue protruding from her vagina, then I worry about a prolapse. If the area enlarges or seems to bother her, then she will need to see her veterinarian. I hope this information helps!

It could be pigmentation, but I would want to be certain that she doesn't have a heart condition that is compromising her circulation. Blue/grey coloring of mucous membranes (which the vulva is) suggest low oxygen states, as can be seen with certain heart conditions, many that are present from birth. Please ask your vet to make sure that he listens to her heart very closely and is sure that everything is normal. If her heart is normal, he should consider whether she has a mild case of vaginitis that is causing the sensivity.

Yes, this is normal to see a swollen vulva during a dog's heat, and in this picture, Stormy's vulva does not look abnormally swollen. Thank you for providing a picture, as it really helped with my answer. So to answer your question, yes this is normal!

Yes, swelling of the vulva is normal during a heat, and it can get large especially if Poke already has a relatively large vulva. It can also be caused by an allergic reaction or an infection. It's always good to have it checked out by a vet just to be safe. I hope this helps!

It does not appear raised or the tissue inflamed. I would monitor the area for any changes. Some pigment changes can be normal in dogs. If it starts to have an odor or seems to bother her or get bumpy then I would have it checked