Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 5/6/2009

Question
My 8 yr old female spayed lab mix has swollen red vulva.  Initial tests, urinalysis, aerobic culture, and cytology all come up negative for problems.  Initially treated her for UTI with antibiotics.  No change in condition.  We just took blood for a total body function and a urine culture & MIC to start narrowing down the possible problems.  She has no problems with urinary incontenence.  What could be the problem?

Answer
Carta -

Is your dog licking her vulva?  If she is licking, that will cause her vulva to be swollen.  

There is a possibility that there is retained ovarian tissue in the abdomen.  A remnant of the ovary could have been left in the abdomen at the time your dog was spayed.  This was not done intentionally, but there is the slight possibility that there is ovarian tissue in the abdomen - ectopic tissue may not be where it should have been at the time your dog was spayed. A lab can determine if your dog still have ovarian tissue in the abdomen by measuring the amount of estrogen circulating through her bloodstream.

Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM