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Vaginal Hyperplasia

Vaginal hyperplasia is a protrusion of vaginal epithelium during the estrogenic phase of the estrus cycle. To distinguish that from, for instance, vaginal prolapse which occurs following trauma to the pelvic organs or following a difficult birth. The breeds that are most pre-disposed to vaginal hyperplasia are the St. Bernard, English Bulldog, Boxer and other brachycephalic breeds according to the text book. It is also seen frequently in the Great Dane, the Labrador Retriever and the Old English Sheepdog.

The condition really results from an exaggeration of the estrogenic response which results in excessive mucosal folding of the vaginal floor just ahead of the urethral papilla in such a manner that tissue protrudes through the vulval labia. Difficulty results from the trauma that occurs to the tissue once it is outside the body. It very quickly becomes dry and can be infected and ulcerated within a period of twelve hours. Usually the condition occurs on the first estrus cycle and continues to be a problem each time the dog cycles. On occasion, we may see it again on the 63rd day, whether she is bred or not.

To treat the condition, we need to replace the tissue as quickly as possible and perform a closure suture to the lips of the vulva. This prevents the material from being secondarily infected.

The information on this page was obtained from the site www.devinefarm.net