Dog Hymen

Before copulation can be started, it is sometimes necessary to insert an instrument to break the hymen. This is not often present in bitches, but in certain strains of most breeds it is a constant feature. If a male cannot insert his penis far enough to become tied, an examination should be made. About two inches inside the vagina vertical web of tissue across the opening can be felt and ruptured by cutting.

The presence of intact hymen in dogs is quite but some dogs do have them. The hymen is actually a membrane which separates the vestibule and the vagina. In fact if the hymen is intact no fluid can reach the uterus. The hymen of the dog breaks after a session of copulation. But in many dogs the hymen gets torn due to physical exercise. There are many diseases that can occur in the region of hymen. The following are the types of diseases that can develop near the hymen of the dog.

Dog Hymen Diseases

The differentiation of the diseases occurring in the vagina, vulva and the vestibules is extremely difficult.

Vaginitis – The disease is characterized by inflammation of the vagina. You also find vaginal discharge apart from the estrus. The discharge would also be seen with increased level of neutrophils. The affected vagina would also undergo some developments that would be easily recognized. Recent studies have also revealed that the abnormalities in the urinary tract are also due to the occurrence of the vestibulovaginal stenosis. The potential causes behind the development of vaginitis are infection, immaturity of the bitch, urine chemical irritation, feeling of mechanical irritation due to the development of the polyps or the tumor in the region. The vaginitis can also develop due to birth defects like anatomical abnormalities.

Primary Vaginitis – The primary vaginitis quite rarely occurs. In mainly occurs among puppies or pubertal female dogs. It is actually produced due to the natural defense of the vagina. This disease actually gets disappeared with time. Just before estrus the intensity of the disease gets reduced on its own. The exact cause behind the development of the disease has not been medically determined but it has been found out that the disease takes place because of the colonization of certain type of bacteria in the vaginal area causing inflammation. The bacteria get destroyed when the protective factors of the vagina develops.

Bacteria and Virus in Vagina

There are number of bacteria that colonize and grow in the vaginal area and cause several diseases. The bacteria like the Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, beta-hemolytic streptococci and intermedias are the common types that are found in the vagina of the bitches. The bacteria known as the Brucella canisis causes the disease called bacterial endometritis and vaginitis. Aerobic bacteria in vagin cause reproductive disoders. The diseases like the candidiasis though rare among dogs occur due to the intrusion of fungus. The secondary vaginitis or the post pubertal vaginitis is due to the result of the many conditions. Some studies have showed that abnormalities in the vulva may also lead to the development of the secondary vaginitis.