You may notice your female dog leaving small puddles of clear fluid where she sits or rests and be confused and concerned by this occurrence. The question you’ll ask yourself is; why is my female dog leaking clear odorless fluid? A female dog can leak clear odorless discharge for different reasons. These can include vaginal discharge, urinary tract infections, spay incontinence, and recessed sexual organs, among other reasons.
This article will fully answer and explain why your female dog is leaking clear fluid, and what to do about it.
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Why Is My Female Dog Leaking Clear Fluid?
It’s recommended that you visit a veterinarian to get expert advice and help as to why your female dog is producing a clear odorless discharge. However, there are ways for you to get an understanding of what’s happening with your dog, and actions that you can take to help your canine friend.
Establishing Where Your Female Dog Is Leaking Clear Odorless Fluid From
Your female dog can produce a leak from three different parts of her anatomy; her urethra, her vagina, or her anus.
Establishing exactly which part of her anatomy is producing the leak is crucial in understanding what’s happening with your dog.
To do this, take a clean cloth, a paper towel or tissue, and press it against each of the three areas in turn – urethra, vagina and anus. Doing this will allow you to determine which area your dog is leaking from.
Vaginal Discharge In Female Dogs
Any fluid or liquid that comes from your dog’s vulva is considered vaginal discharge.
The appearance of the vaginal discharge indicates whether it’s healthy or if there is a problem. If your dog is producing a discharge from her vulva, it’s important you get in touch with a vet for expert advice.
Symptoms of vaginal discharge in dogs can be very varied, and include the below:
- Frequent urination
- Watery discharge
- Bloody, purulent or mucoid discharge
- A house trained dog having urine accidents in the home
- Blood tinged or cloudy urine
- Decreased appetite
- Behavioral changes
Causes of vaginal discharge in dogs:
- Trauma or injury to uterus or vagina
- The dog recently lost a fetus
- Prolonged estrus cycle
- Cancer of the pelvic area
- Urinary tract infection
There are various causes of vaginal discharge, some can be serious and others can be more benign. It’s important you don’t panic, and instead get help from a veterinarian. There are lots of effective treatments available to deal with the underlying causes of vaginal discharge in dogs.
Spay Incontinence
As the name suggests, this is a type of incontinence that appears in female dogs after they’ve been spayed.
When a female dog is spayed, her ovaries are removed. As a result, her estrogen levels are reduced and can become too low to ensure properly functioning urinary tract tissues. This can result in incontinence. You may notice your dog leaking during her sleep, or where she sits or rests. She will not typically leak when she’s awake and active, although this can happen for some dogs.
Since your dog will be leaking urine, it will not be a clear odorless discharge. However, if your female dog is leaking urine after being spayed, then you should book an appointment with your veterinarian to get advice and treatment options for your dog.
It’s not possible for veterinarians to predict whether your female dog will develop spay incontinence. However, some dogs are more at risk than others. This includes dogs who are overweight, and dogs that are spayed when under six months of age.
Recessed Sexual Organs In Dogs
A recessed sexual organ is also known as juvenile sexual organs, or hypoplastic sexual organs. The condition can be observed as where the skin surrounding sexual organs on a dog fold over the sexual organs, thereby partially or entirely covering the sexual organ.
Recessed sexual organs in a female dog can make the risk of contracting other conditions increase. For example, when the dog urinates, the skin folds can trap droplets and moisture. Increased moisture coupled with the dog’s body heat can result in harmful bacteria growing.
This bacteria can cause the dog to develop dermatitis, vaginitis, and possibly an infection in the bladder.
A dog leaking clear odorless fluid or discharge could be a symptom of recessed sexual organs. You may also find them scooting their bum along the floor. Whether you suspect recessed sexual organs or not, it’s recommended you take your dog to see a veterinarian.
Urinary Tract Infections In Dogs
A female dog, whether young or old, leaking a clear odorless fluid could be a symptom of a urinary tract infection (UTI).
While you might expect any leaking associated with a UTI to be obviously identifiable as urine, it might not be obvious if your dog has been drinking lots of water. This is because drinking lots of water can make a dog’s urine relatively clear. In other words, not a clearly yellow color.
A dog with a UTI may drink high volumes of water, while others may avoid drinking at all to reduce how often they urinate. This is because having a UTI can make passing urine painful.
It’s best to monitor whether your dog has a urinary tract infection by looking out for symptoms of UTIs. These include:
- Increased water intake
- Leaking urine unaware
- Frequent urination
- Fever and shivering or shaking
- Licking the area around their urinary opening
- A house trained dog urinating in the house instead outside
- Cloudy or bloody urine
It’s crucial you get your dog checked by a veterinarian in order to get a proper diagnosis. Urinary tract infections can be very unpleasant for dogs and cause them discomfort and distress. However, there is safe and effective treatment available for UTIs in dogs. This typically includes a course of antibiotics.
Vaginal Discharge When Dog Comes Into Heat (Estrus Cycle)
Depending on the size and breed of your dog, she will go into heat between 1 – 3 times per year. Large breed dogs like Irish wolf hounds and Great Danes may only go into heat once a year. While small breed dogs may go into heat three times a year.
When a dog begins her estrus cycle she will produce a vaginal discharge. However, this discharge is very blood tinged, so there’s no way to mistake it for clear odorless fluid.
Vaginitis In Dogs
Vaginitis is when the vagina or vestibule is inflamed. Vaginitis can occur in a female dog even if she’s been spayed.
The two forms of vaginitis are:
Juvenile vaginitis – this occurs in puppies before they’ve had their first estrus cycle.
Adult vaginitis – this occurs in female dogs who are older and who’ve been spayed.
If your dog is a very furry or fluffy breed, then the occurrence of vaginitis may not be as noticeable. Symptoms of vaginitis include:
- Inflamed, red, swollen vaginal area
- Increased licking of the vaginal area
- More frequent urination
- Irritated genitalia
- Vaginal discharge
The type of discharge produced by your dog if she has vaginitis can range from a clear color to a yellowish green color.
This means if your dog is leaking a clear odorless fluid, then it could be a sign of vaginitis.
The best course of action to take is to book an appointment with your veterinarian. Most cases of vaginitis aren’t very serious and can often be resolved with a course of antibiotics.
See Also: What cream can I put on my dog’s sore bum? Some conditions that result in your female dog leaking clear fluid could potentially be remedied with a cream or ointment.
Pyometra In Dogs
A pyometra is a medical emergency. Get help from a veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has pyometra.
A pyometra is a condition that can affect the womb of unneutered female dogs. The dogs most at risk of developing a pyometra are dogs over six years old. The biggest risk period for your female dog to develop a pyometra is four to eight weeks after she goes into heat.
During a female dog’s heat season, the hormone levels in her reproductive tract change. After her heat season is over, the hormone levels typically return to normal naturally. However, in some instances, the dog will develop complications which leads to the womb becoming infected – a pyometra. The developing pyometra will fill the dog’s womb with pus.
A pyometra is classified as open or closed. An open pyometra is when the entrance to the womb is open. This means you likely observe blood and pus discharge leaking out of your dog’s vagina. A closed pyometra is when the womb entrance is closed. This means you’re not likely to see any discharge leaking. In the case of a closed pyometra, your dog will likely develop a bloated or distended abdomen.
A pyometra can cause kidney failure, blood poisoning, and can be fatal. Get help from a veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has pyometra.
Symptoms of a pyometra include:
- Drinking more water more frequently
- Pus leaking from the vulva (if it’s an ‘open’ pyometra)
- Bloated or distended abdomen (if it’s a ‘closed’ pyometra)
- Panting, weakness or lethargy
- Increased frequency of urination
- Collapse
Pyometra is an emergency and you should seek an emergency appointment with your vet is you think your dog may have pyometra. The good news is that a pyometra can be successfully treated and resolved. Your vet will be able to diagnose the infection and carry out the most effective treatment.
FAQs About Female Dog Leaking Clear Odorless Fluid And Pyometra
Do Dogs Leak Fluid When In Heat?
Yes, dogs leak fluid when in heat. At the beginning of your dog’s estrus cycle she will produce a vaginal discharge. The fluid or discharge will be very thick and heavily blood tinged. Some female dogs will have heavy vaginal discharge, while for other dogs it will be much lighter.
As your dog’s heat season continues, her vaginal discharge will change from being heavily blood tinged, to being a thin watery pinkish tinged fluid.
Young Female Dog Leaking Clear Fluid
If a young female dog is leaking clear fluid this could a be a sign of different conditions. Some may be benign, and others may be more serious. For example, it could be the sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or it could be a sign of vaginitis. If the young female dog has been spayed, then it could also be spay incontinence. On the other hand, it could be a very minor issue that resolves itself in a few days. The most important thing to do is take your dog to the veterinarian and have her expertly examined.
Old Female Dog Leaking Clear Fluid
If an old female dog is leaking clear fluid, this may seem concerning and confusing. But it’s best not to panic. There are a few reasons why she could be leaking clear discharge, and these range from harmless issues, to more serious health conditions. Including spay incontinence, vaginitis, or a urinary tract infection among other things.
Take your dog to see a vet and get expert diagnose and treatment. Clear leaking fluid from an old female dog is more likely to be a minor issue than a serious one. And it’s possible that it can be resolved with a course of antibiotics. But don’t delay seeing a vet and getting advice.
Do Pregnant Dogs Leak Fluid?
Yes, pregnant dogs leak fluid. If you notice your pregnant dog is leaking fluid then it could be a sign that the puppies are close to being born. Pregnancy in female dogs lasts nine weeks on average, but it’s been known for female dogs to give birth up to 7 days before they’re due.
The fluid that a pregnant female dog leaks is typically a clear discharge, as in when her waters break.
Why Is My Female Dog Leaking Clear Fluid From Anus Or Back End?
Anal glands on a dog secrete fluid. This fluid is released and emptied from the glands naturally when a dog passes stools. However, if the dog’s stools are too loose to apply enough pressure to the glands when the dog defecates, then the glands will not empty their secreted fluid. This is known as impacted glands.
Impacted glands can result in a female dog leaking fluid from her back end (anus). However, the fluid is rarely clear or odorless.
If your female dog is leaking clear fluid from her anus, then you should take her to see a veterinarian. There’s a high chance it’s a minor issue that might even resolve by itself, or with antibiotics. Your vet will be able to diagnose and treat your dog as appropriate.
What Are The First Signs Of Pyometra?
The first signs of pyometra include; vomiting, your dog or pet drinking more water at more frequent intervals, weakness or lethargy, loss of appetite, urinating more frequently. Pyometra is an infection of the womb that can affect unneutered female dogs (and cats). That is, dogs and cats that have not been spayed.
Pyometra is an emergency that can be life threatening. If your dog or cat is exhibiting any of the above symptoms then take her to see a veterinarian right away.
What Does Pyometra Discharge Look Like?
Pyometra discharge will be a mix of blood and puss leaking out of your dog’s vulva. You will be able to see this discharge if it’s an open pyometra. An open pyometra means the entrance to the womb is open, thereby enable the blood and pus mixed discharge to runs out of your dog’s or cat’s vagina.
If your dog or cat has a closed pyometra then it means the entrance to the womb is shut. Therefore, you would not see any discharge leaking from your dog’s or cat’s vulva. In the case of a closed pyometra, your dog or cat will likely develop a bloated or distended abdomen. This is because the pus that is filling up her womb is not able to be released through her vagina, due to the womb entrance being closed.
A pyometra is a medical emergency. Get help from a veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog or cat has a pyometra.
Final Thoughts On Female Dogs Clear Odorless Fluid
Many female dogs can leak clear odorless discharge and fluids. In the majority of cases it’s not an indication of a serious condition. However, it’s recommended that you take your dog to see a veterinarian to get expert advice and guidance.