My dog's vulva skin is dark after heat bleeding stopped. Is it normal?

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

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Skyler. The vulva will stay larger after the first heat cycle and can change in appearance. The mammary chains will also stay larger as compared to before her first cycle. The vulva still looks normal to me, but she should see her veterinarian if you are concerned. I hope this information helps!

Sometimes the genitalia can experience hyperpigmentation after a heat cycle. Some sort of infection is also possible and a physical exam is needed to tell the difference. I recommend to call your veterinarian who is most familiar with Zoe. They may recommend an exam. Best of luck.

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.

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 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/).

Vaginal swelling is itself a sign of estrus/heat even without discharge. If it is the first season it may be that you won't notice any discharge at all. It is actually possible that the estrus is over already and vaginal swelling will go down in the next week time. 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.