Why is my female dog having a pus-like discharge from her vagina?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! What you are seeing is likely mucous. It could be a urinary tract infection of puppy vaginitis. They tend to grow out of puppy vaginitis. Sometimes they need antibiotics if they are urinating small amounts frequently. I would set up an appointment with your Vet for an exam. I would try to collect a urine sample for the appointment. First wipe the vulva with a baby wipe or a slightly soapy towel (rinse) before collecting. I hope this helps!

Delilah is too young to be going into heat, so this discharge could be caused by juvenile vaginitis. This is inflammation of the vagina in puppies who have not yet reach puberty. I would have Delilah seen by a vet first thing tomorrow for this. The vet can examine her, determine if she does have juvenile vaginitis, and can prescribe a treatment for it. Typically, it involves daily cleaning of the vulva if it is a mild case with no complicating infection.

The discharge pictured is a greenish-yellow, so I'm concerned that Athena may have [pyometra](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/pyometra/), which is a potentially deadly infection of the uterus that can happen in dogs. A tiny bit of white vulvar discharge can be within normal variations for puppies (called a "puppy vaginitis"), but a greenish-yellow discharge is never normal. I recommend having Athena evaluated by her vet or an emergency vet right away. Your vet will likely [recommend spaying](https://www.petcoach.co/article/spay-and-neuter-basics-for-dogs-and-cats/) Athena right away if they [diagnose a pyometra](https://www.petcoach.co/article/pyometra-infections-of-the-uterus-in-dogs/), as this removes the pus-filled uterus and ovaries. Spaying stops the heat cycle, eliminates the risk and cost of unwanted breeding, reduces the risk of breast cancer, and prevents the a pyometra from developing.

Uh-oh, this is quite concerning. This could be vaginitis, but probably is a uterine infection (pyometra, open). This is an emergency and she needs to be seen by a vet preferably today. Your vet will give Daisy a thorough exam, and then probably will want to do an x-ray to verify his diagnosis. Treatment is surgery to remove the uterus with all the pus contained. Antibiotics sometimes work, however that would only delay the surgery as she will have another uterine infection when she has her next heat. Please take her to your veterinarian ASAP.

If your dog isn't [spayed](https://www.petcoach.co/article/spaying-ovariohysterectomy-the-benefits-in-dogs/), this could be a heat cycle. Or it could be a very serious condition known as [pyometra](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/pyometra/), which means infected uterus. Especially if she had her heat cycle a couple of months ago, and if she's lethargic or has a fever you need to take her in to a veterinarian to be examined tonight. If she is spayed, this could be several things. She could have a [urinary tract infection](https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-signs-of-urinary-tract-disease-in-dogs) and you're seeing her leak blood-tinged urine. I hope not, but depending on her age there could be cancer in the urinary tract that's causing bleeding (blood doesn't always look bright red). Very occasionally spayed dogs will continue to bleed if a piece of an ovary was left behind. Get her checked out by your veterinarian as soon as possible to figure out what's going on.

Your poor pup! If she isn't spayed, I would be very concerned that she has a pyometra. This is an infection of the uterus that is fatal without treatment, and it would cause a white discharge as well as vomiting. It sounds like your vet may have been suspicious she had a pyometra and tried treating it medically with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Unfortunately the medical route often isn't successful, and surgery is needed to treat it. This means spaying her. I would take her back into the vet immediately, as this is a medical emergency. Best of luck.

Some discharge is normal but it is generally clearish or slightly opaque. Vaginal discharge can indicate an infection in the uterus. I recommend to have her examined today in case this discharge is related to a uterine infection. Uterine infections can lead to a life threatening septicemia so it's best to play it safe. Best of luck.