Sticky/Crusty Genital Area

[mmbrod02]

I am not sure how to find this and I am sure someone has posted asking about this in the past, but what do I do about Scarlett's lady area? I owned a male sheltie before and did not have this problem. Scarlett's hair is crusted and sticky where she urinates (underneath her tail is fine). I called a groomer and asked them about making an appointment and this issue and he said they will shave that area. I am not getting anything else shaved, so this does not seem like the solution. What do most people do to keep that area of their female newf clean?

 

[nowhavethreebears]

I think most people shave or clip down the "poop chute" . My Hannah is extremely heavy coated and I clip a path down from the rectum. If I need to trim any of the "pants" on the inside of her legs I do that carefully with scissors.
I also have to do the bottom of Hannah's tail. It is so full and long the hair gets in everything. The side hairs fall down and cover the fact that she's trimmed there. (Unless she's chasing a squirrel with her tail straight up in the air)

Almost forgot...I also keep packs of "personal cleansing cloths" or baby wipes on hand just in case...

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

Yup, she needs a trim, just like Anita said. We clip the area all around with clippers, and the bottom of her tail and the pants a little longer with scissors. You can't tell unless she is laying on her back with her legs apart (which is actually quite common for her...very ladylike :uglyhammer

We also keep a pack of unscented baby wipes by the door and give her a quick clean after she goes.

 

[mmbrod02]

Thanks! I gave her a little trim myself and just used regular scissors. She still has puppy fur on most of her body but it looks like her back legs are getting bushier looking. Scarlett always lays on her back with her legs spread open just like Anita and that is when I notice how crusty she is. She didn't mind the trim so I will stick with doing it myself for now.

 

[mrs big dogs]

when you mention crusty what do you mean, does she pee alot?

 

[mmbrod02]

She dribbles small amounts a lot- like 3 or 4 times each time she is out for a walk. I guess the way to describe crusty would be matted and slimy.

 

[new_2_newf]

keep her trimmed and give her a wipe once or twice a day to help keep things clean. even if she has something else going on, it's good personal hygiene to help prevent infections.

 

[nowhavethreebears]

I would keep an eye on this situation. If she continues to dribble a lot and get "crusty" a trip to the vet might be in order.
Some little girls have inverted vulvas which keep them from emptying their bladders properly. It can lead to chronic UTI's and other infections.
For now just a trim and some baby wipes may do the trick...Maybe she's just a messy pee-er and she will develop tidier habits as she gets older.

 

[mmbrod02]

Thanks, I will bring it up when I bring her to the vet just to be sure there is nothing medically going on. Since trimming the hair the other day she seems much cleaner!

 

[mrs big dogs]

If it were me I would take her to the vet just incase of a UTI

 

[mmbrod02]

Yes I think I should take her in just to be sure. She has been waking up during the night to go outside and pee- she has not done that since she was a little puppy. I will try to get her in tomorrow to make sure everything is okay.

 

[Ginny]

She may have puppy vaginitis which can be secondary to a UTI. Get her checked.

 

[NinaA]

Go to the vet. Sounds like Moonlight. You may be heading for continual UTIs. We shave her close and wipe with baby wipes routinely. Have found that it is worse during pollen season. Moonlight has a short urethra and a "vaginal fold" all of which cause problems. Also, she now takes something called Proin which is a drug for the dribbling. Works beautifully. Please check with your vet as this can lead to kidney damage.

 

[mmbrod02]

Scarlett and I just got back to the vet and nothing looks inflamed. They did a couple of tests and swabbed her so I will know tomorrow if she has an infection. They said to just keep that area very clean and use wipes on her for now.

 

[nowhavethreebears]

How are Scarlett and her little girl puppy parts coming along?

 

[mmbrod02]

Sorry I did not update before. I brought her to the vet and she has a mild case of puppy vaginitis. She does not need any meds. and they said to just keep the area clean with unscented baby wipes. She loves the bath and her kiddie pool so I have also had her just lay in the bath or pool daily and not actually wash her or anything, but that has been helping keep the area clean too.
Thanks for checking in!

 

[nowhavethreebears]

Aw....That's not uncommon with the little girls. Especially if they are "low squatters". Glad it was nothing more serious.....