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Why won't my senior dog's recurring vaginal infections clear up?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My pet has had a vagina infection since June every month for the last 3 months she's been put in antibiotics. Amoxi/clan 3 times and. Convenia injection It never gets cleared up. They did blood work and it showed nothing. What can be going on , they don't have any answers. She will be 12 next month. I need your advice

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Amber W

Answered By Amber W

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on August 15th, 2017

Hello and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry to hear your pet is having an issue. By vaginal infection, I am unsure if you mean she is having vaginitis, a urinary tract infection or even a uterine infection (also called a pyometra). If she is having repeat UTIs it is a good idea to have her urine cultured and also to do some imaging diagnostics like X-rays and even an ultrasound. If she is not spayed and the infection is coming from her uterus it is very important to have her spayed as this will resolve the issue. If your veterinarian is unsure as to where the infection is coming from then the next step is urine culture and an ultrasound. In some cases a resistant bacteria is present and the culture will help rule that out. An ultrasound will help determine if there are any complicating factors like bladder inflammation, bladder stones or even cancer. More information provided by you may help us make additional suggestions. I hope this helps clear some things up for you!
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 5th, 2018

    HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

    The most common cause of UTIs are ascending infections (bacteria from stool gets on the vulva). If this is her first UTI, the prognosis is good. This is not contagious to you or your other pets.

    To prevent relapse, follow the course of antibiotics and do the recommended follow up from your Vet. I recommend rechecking the culture 7-10 days AFTER finishing all the antibiotics to be sure it is gone. If it isn't gone or she gets another infection I would check for bladder stones with an X-ray, do blood work that also checks her thyroid and be sure that your Vet checks her vulva. Sometimes there is an infection around the vulva or the vulva is recessed predisposing to re-infection and chronic UTIs. An ultrasound can also be done to be sure there isn't a bladder tumor in dogs with chronic UTIs

    Complications of untreated UTIs are rare but kidney infections and resistant bacteria.

    I wish Val the very best!

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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I cannot give you a diagnosis over the internet just based on what you have described. She could have a yeast infection of the skin. Sometimes these things need a long course of oral antifungals to clear up along with the topical shampoo. That being said, she could have an autoimmune problem, underlying allergies, a uterine infection (if she is not spayed) or any number of other things. It is recommended you get her to a vet for an examination so you she can get a diagnosis and the proper treatment.
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The question is, is it an vaginal infection or a uterine infection? if she is lethargic, drinking a lot, seems bloated and in pain then it is most likely a pyometra (uterine infection), this will require urgent surgery to have the uterus removed as medical treatment fail to resolve this condition in the vast majority of cases. if she is suffering from a vaginal infection this can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by your vet. either way you will have to take her to a veterinarian ASAP.
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Why is my senior dog's urine still pink/bloody after antibiotics?
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It becomes concerning when an older dog develops blood urine that is non-responsive to antibiotics. Having blood in the urine with out bacteria can mean a bladder stone or a bladder tumor. Tests I would consider next would be a urine culture, one belly X-ray to look for a bladder stone and full blood work. If the culture is negative and the X-ray doesn't show a stone then I would worry about a bladder tumor. An ultrasound of her bladder would help diagnose if she has a bladder tumor. Another option before doing more testing is to try a more powerful antibiotic for 3 weeks. But if the blood is still present with out the presence of bacteria then I would go forward. I hope this helps!
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Yes, this can be due to a problem in her uterus. It could normal but since it’s been so long since she bled before there could be an infection or mass in the uterus or vagina. I recommend an exam and they may want to do an X-ray to make sure her uterus is normal size. I do recommend spaying her if you can so they can remove and examine the uterus and prevent her from getting a uterine infection or cancer. Also unspayed females have a higher incidence of breast cancer so that’s another reason for having her spayed soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care Lily.
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Why does my dog's smelly discharge keep coming back after antibiotics?
I am sorry to hear about Izzy. Some dogs can suffer from repeated vulvar/vaginal infection if they have what we call a “recessed vulva” where they have extra skin around the vulva creating an environment with excess moisture. I would ask your vet if they think Izzy has this. There is a surgery to correct this problem and many dogs do amazingly well after the surgery. If your vet does not think this is the issue the next step might be a bacterial culture because it is possible a resistant bacteria is present.
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Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach if Izzy has a pyometra or uterine infection she needs to be spayed ASAP. This can be a fatal turn right on Rio Grande St. infection leading to sepsis turn left on superior and death if left untreated. While antibiotics can decrease signs It will typically not fully clear the infection, which will cotinue to recur and worsen. If Izzy has a foul smelling bloody discharge she needs to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
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