Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

Traditionally, dogs have been neutered after attaining most of their adult
stature at about 6 to 9 months of age. It is now known that early neutering
and spaying does not adversely affect growth and development, although dogs
may grow a bit taller than expected. The American Veterinary Medical
Association, the Humane Society of the United States, the American Kennel
Club, and many veterinarians agree that neutering as early as 8 to 12 weeks is
safe and may be preferable, particularly when there are genetic or conformation
reasons why the individual should not be used at stud. If neutering is
done before the puppies are placed in their permanent homes, there will be no
concern about future breeding misuse. Early neutering is often practiced at
animal shelters to ensure that the dog will indeed be neutered. There have
been concerns about increases in urinary infections and incontinence with
early neutering, but so far there is no definitive evidence that this is a problem.
Some veterinarians recommend waiting until a dog has reached his adult
size before spaying or neutering, however, because this is better for the joints,
which will be stressed over the lifetime of the dog.
Diseases of the Female Genital Tract
VAGINITIS (VAGINAL INFECTION)
SEX AND REPRODUCTION • 459
Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina. It is not necessarily accompanied by
an infection. Adult vaginitis usually is caused by an anatomic abnormality of
the vagina that results in urine pooling in the vaginal canal. Viral vaginitis is
caused by the herpesvirus, which is transmitted during breeding. Mycoplasma
vaginitis may result from an overgrowth of mycoplasma organisms, which are
normally present in the vagina in small numbers.
Vaginitis can ascend into the uterus or bladder, causing endometritis or,
more commonly, a urinary tract infection. Juvenile vaginitis is seen in puppies
less than 1 year of age. It is often asymptomatic. In some cases there is a light
purulent vaginal discharge.
Signs of vaginitis are licking at the vulva and staining of the hair around
the vulva. A vaginal discharge may not be visible if the bitch keeps herself
clean. Vaginal examination is painful and may require sedation. Male dogs are
sometimes attracted to bitches with vaginitis. This can give the impression
that the bitch is in heat.
The diagnosis is confirmed by speculum examination of the interior of the
vagina. Cultures and cytology are obtained. There are normally bacteria present
in the vagina; a culture looks for an overgrowth of a particular bacteria. A
urinalysis is taken to rule out an associated urinary tract infection.
Treatment: Bacterial vaginitis is easier to clear up if an underlying cause
can be identified and removed. In the absence of an underlying cause, treatment
involves oral antibiotics selected based on culture and sensitivity tests,