There are various reproductive pathologies that can affect female dogs. Some of them can trigger the appearance of a "ball" or a mass in the vulva area as a result of an alteration at the level of the uterus, vagina, clitoris or the vulva itself. The seriousness of the case depends on the specific pathology that originates it, however, all of them require early veterinary attention to avoid complications.
If you have detected that your dog has a ball in her parts, we recommend that you read the following article on our site in which we explain what its causes may be and what to do in each case.
Vaginal hyperplasia
Vaginal hyperplasia is the overgrowth and swelling of the floor of the vagina, which occurs as a result of high estrogen levels that there is during proestrus (phase of the estrous cycle in which bleeding from the vulva begins). Generally, polypoid-like masses form on the vaginal wall, which, when large enough, end up protruding through the vulvar lips. From the outside, it is usually seen as a “ball” or mass with a rounded appearance, pink color and variable size (from a marble to a chicken egg) that comes out through the vulva.
Vaginal hyperplasia is a fairly common process in intact or unneutered female dogs, especially in brachycephalic (flat) and giant breeds. almost always appears during the proestrus or estrus phaseand, frequently, it is repeated cyclically in all heats that the bitch presents. In addition, in pregnant bitches it can appear during childbirth.
This is a benign overgrowth (ie not tumor in origin) and usually resolves spontaneously when hormone levels stabilize. However, it must be taken into account that the contact of the vaginal mucosa with the outside can cause its desiccation and irritation. In addition, bitches often lick the area and self-injure the tissue, causing ulceration and bleeding.
Vaginal prolapse
Vaginal prolapse is a process similar to vaginal hyperplasia, which is also associated with increased estrogen levels during proestrus. Depending on the amount of externalized tissue, the prolapse may be partial or total, and may even involve the cervix or the cervix. In severe cases, the prolapsed tissue can compress the urethra and cause stranguria (drip urination), anuria (not urinating), dysuria (difficulty urinating), and hematuria (blood in the urine). In these cases it is also common for tenesmus to appear, that is, the dog will try to defecate frequently, but without results.
The difference between prolapse and hyperplasia lies in the amount of exteriorized vaginal tissue:
- In vaginal prolapse, the amount of tissue that is exteriorized is much greater. Also, it often has a circular, donut-shaped appearance.
- In hyperplasia there is a “ball” or rounded mass that protrudes through the vulva.
In any case, it should be taken into account that vaginal prolapse in female dogs is a much less frequent process than vaginal hyperplasia.
Like hyperplasia, prolapse is a self-limiting process that tends to subside when estrogen levels return to normal. However, in most cases a manual or surgical correction of the prolapse is necessary to prevent desiccation and abrasion of the mucosa in contact with the outside.
Uterine prolapse
Another cause that can explain why your dog has a lump in her parts is uterine prolapse. Prolapse of the uterus occurs when the uterus inverts on itself and comes out through the vulva It is a process that occurs before, during or after prolonged labor, due to the succession of continuous contractions with the cervix dilated. It can also occur in dystocic deliveries, that is, difficult deliveries in which the contractions do not allow the expulsion of the fetus, but do produce the eversion and exteriorization of the uterus.
Uterine prolapse can be:
- Partial: if it affects only the uterine body. Generally, the partial prolapse does not become external, but remains lodged in the vagina and is not visible externally.
- Total: if it affects the body and the uterine horns. Unlike partial prolapse, total protrusion does protrude through the vulva, being visible from the outside.
Prolapsed uterine tissue appears swollen, swollen, and congested Also, due to lack of perfusion that occurs when the uterus becomes trapped in the narrowness of the vulva, in a short time the tissue begins to necrotize. For this reason, uterine prolapse is always a veterinary emergency that should be treated as soon as possible.
Clitoral hypertrophy
Clitoral hypertrophy is a rare alteration in female dogs that consists of an increase in the size of the clitoris. It can have two causas:
- Congenital malformation: This is a disorder of sexual development that results in an abnormally large clitoris, also known as a "pseudopenis". Depending on whether or not there are other malformations in the reproductive system, these bitches can be considered hermaphrodites or pseudohermaphrodites.
- Treatments with androgens: one of the side effects that androgens can produce is clitoral hypertrophy.
Bitches with clitoral hypertrophy have a bulge protruding through the vulva, which can become lacerated and infected. In addition, it is common for these bitches to have recurrent vaginitis and cystitis. For this reason, it is important to correct surgically this alteration in order to avoid the associated complications.
Neoplasms or tumors
There are various types of tumors that can cause the presence of a mass in the vulvar area. The most frequent are:
- Vulvo-vaginal neoplasms: tumors of the vulva and vagina account for 40% of reproductive tract tumors in the bitch, being the vast majority (between 70-80%) benign. They are usually fibromas, lipomas, or leiomyomas. Its appearance usually has a hormonal influence and the risk increases with age. In these bitches, vaginal bleeding or discharge, dysuria, tenesmus, and persistent estrus are common.
- Transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) or Sticker tumor: this is a benign tumor, specifically a lymphosarcoma, characterized by have sexual transmission. That is, tumor implantation is produced by contact during mating. Generally, it presents as a solitary or multiple mass in the mucosa of the external genitalia, multilobulated and cauliflower-like. Frequently, the mass appears ulcerated and infected, and a bloody vaginal discharge occurs. Currently, it is a tumor with low prevalence due to the fact that natural mating is less frequent and that breeding dogs and bitches are subject to greater he alth control.
What to do if my dog has a ball in her parts
As we have seen throughout the article, there are numerous causes that can cause the appearance of a "ball" or mass in the vulva of the bitch. However, we must know that the severity of each of them is highly variable. Some processes, such as vaginal hypertrophy, are self-limiting and usually resolve spontaneously when hormone levels normalize. However, processes such as uterine prolapse are true emergencies that require immediate veterinary care. For this reason, whenever you detect a mass in your dog's vulvar area, it is important that you go to a veterinary center without delay. Once there, the team that treats you will be able to carry out a diagnostic protocol that will allow the cause to be identified and the most appropriate treatment to be established.
Below, we summarize the possible treatments for each of the causes listed in this article:
- Vaginal hypertrophy: This is a mild process that usually subsides when estrogen levels normalize. However, while it resolves, it is important to institute treatment to protect the exteriorized vaginal mucosa and prevent it from being injured. Specifically, the tissue should be kept clean with normal saline or vaginal betadine, in addition to applying sterile Vaseline to the mucosa to prevent it from drying out. In specific cases, especially in large or ulcerated masses, it is necessary to resort to surgical removal.
- Vaginal prolapse: Manual repositioning or reintroduction of the vagina should be attempted as a first option. To do this, the area must be washed well and manual replacement by pressure, always aided by lubricating substances or even an episiotomy to facilitate reintroduction. When this method is not effective, or the tissue is severely damaged or necrotic, surgery will be necessary.
- Prolapse of the uterus: the treatment is always surgical and must be carried out urgently to avoid necrosis of the prolapsed tissue. The goal of surgery is to return the uterus to its anatomical position.
- Clitoral hypertrophy: Similarly, removal of the clitoris is recommended to prevent injury when exposed to the outside.
- Tumors: the treatment of tumors is eminently surgical. However, in the case of transmissible venereal tumor, treatment is only chemotherapy using vincristine.
In addition to the specific treatments just described, we must point out that most of these processes can be both prevented and resolved with sterilization(ovarihysterectomy) of bitches. Castration manages to reduce hormonal levels and avoid or resolve many of these homomorphic-dependent processes. For this reason, we recommend that you consider sterilization as a good option to prevent these and other multiple reproductive pathologies in the bitch. In this article we talk about all the Advantages of sterilization in dogs.
