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Funny Smell

20 9:29:08

Question
Hi, I have a Jack Russell puppy bitch called minnie, she's only 6 and a half months old, but for the last 3-4 weeks she seems to occationally get a fishy smelling discharge from her valva. It's very smelly and i'm quite worried. she hasn't had her first season yet, i thought maybe it may be something to do with having her first season?? she doesn't have it all the time, but every now and again we smell it. It is a clear discharge. Please help.

Answer
Hello Steph,
You are not smelling anything from her vulva - what you are smelling is most likely her anal glands - it is a very profuse and almost metallic smell. Some dogs have more active anal glands than others, you just might have a puppy with more active ones (meaning they express themselves more often). Unfortunately there is nothing at all you can do about this, but as she gets older the incidence may happen less often. You'll notice when you smell it, she will be actively licking and cleaning herself back there.
When she does go into heat, her vulva will swell to twice it's size and start to bleed. I have three female dogs and I have never smelled anything while they were in heat. The males ejaculate however is HIGHLY profuse.
You would be smart to have her spayed NOW before her first heat cycle.  Good luck.