Observation while grooming

Kimkc

New member
Hi everyone! Our 4 year old spayed Newfoundland is our first female dog. While I was grooming her today, I noticed that the area around her girl parts is "sticky." I cut some hair away and used a washed cloth and cleaned the area, but wonder what this may be? Is this normal for a female dog? We haven't noticed any discomfort. She is eating, playing and urinating normally. We have only had her for 3 months and this was the first time I groomed her more thoroughly so I don't know if it recurring. I will add that she has had several hot spots recently and wears "the cone of shame" constantly, other than walking, grooming and being loved on. On occasion, she has tried to bite/and or lick herself in the area, and we put the cone right back on. Any thoughts and advice would be much appreciated!
 

R Taft

Active member
Not sure.... I know that all my dogs (6) lick their private parts and unless they are obsessed with it we just let it happen. i think it is a natural way to keep clean. So maybe the fact that she canot get to it has caused this
 

wrknnwf

Active member
I think it's probably normal. Since she is spayed, it's unlikely to be pyometra. Probably just urine. If you are worried, let the vet take a look. And keeping the hair clipped short around her vulva should help.
 

shellyk

New member
Our female Newf licks herself after every urination - she keeps herself clean. This time last year our male got a hot spot on his tale from excessive licking and chewing from what we found out was due to flea allergy. He is extremely sensitive to fleas! We thought that we had our flea situation controlled but had to re-evaluate and double/triple our efforts. You say she is licking/biting and that doesn't sound like just cleaning so I would check to make sure she doesn't have any flea issues. We are in the Pacific Northwest and our flea issues are somewhat seasonal as they ramp up in Spring and Summer. I don't know what area you are in but controlling fleas is a much easier fix than environmental or food allergies. Please don't take offense that I mention fleas because I sure did when my Vet mentioned it and was surely red in the face when they found fleas on my dogs!
 
This is the first long haired dog I ever owned. How on earth do you see fleas on a Newf? Ella is on flea prevention, but I also noticed her biting at her back end. I use Nextguard because the topical flea meds are hard to get on a Newf's skin. This is also my first time using Nextguard, so I was wondering if there is anything else I can do to prevent fleas?
 

shellyk

New member
The Vet Tech used a very small flea comb on his back. These can find either fleas or flea dirt. Hopefully the Nexguard is working for your Newf. I only brought that up because it was a surprise for us last year when we had a hot spot issue.

One other thing that comes to mind about a sticky patch is that she could have lied rolled in something. Our dogs roll around in our back yard and sometimes hit a yucky spot.

You might try bathing her and see if the stickiness returns. Our Vet did recommend bathing when we had the hot spot on our Newf. We used a medicated/soothing shampoo and he really seemed to like it. We use a self washing place near out house that has raised tubs big enough for our Newfs and powerful dryers too.
 

Kimkc

New member
Would I see any other symptoms for a UTI? I am new to the Newfoundland breed and also a female dog.
 

mrs big dogs

New member
I would think that if the area is sticky that something is going on, I have a pup right now and she was sticky down there and I took her to the vet and she did have a very bad UTI, I would take her to the vet before it gets out of control if it is a UTI, better safe than sorry .
 

Kimkc

New member
I just saw your reply today- I took the cone off of Clara Bell last week and checked a few days later and she isn't sticky anymore. I will continue checking to see if it happens again and if it does, I will certainly make an appointment. I think she wasn't able to groom herself while she was wearing the cone.
 
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