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My dog is leaking brown discharge from her vagina. What's wrong?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My dog is leaking brownish liquid from her vagina. I don't know what it is or what is causing it.

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4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Christie Long, DVM

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on October 19th, 2015

If your dog isn't [spayed](https://www.petcoach.co/article/spaying-ovariohysterectomy-the-benefits-in-dogs/), this could be a heat cycle. Or it could be a very serious condition known as [pyometra](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/pyometra/), which means infected uterus. Especially if she had her heat cycle a couple of months ago, and if she's lethargic or has a fever you need to take her in to a veterinarian to be examined tonight. If she is spayed, this could be several things. She could have a [urinary tract infection](https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-signs-of-urinary-tract-disease-in-dogs) and you're seeing her leak blood-tinged urine. I hope not, but depending on her age there could be cancer in the urinary tract that's causing bleeding (blood doesn't always look bright red). Very occasionally spayed dogs will continue to bleed if a piece of an ovary was left behind. Get her checked out by your veterinarian as soon as possible to figure out what's going on.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 10th, 2016

    This could be old blood or discharge from an infection. If your dog is not spayed, then this is very concerning and she needs to be seen by a veterinarian ASAP, especially iof she is drinking mire than usual. She may have a uterine infection, which can be life threatening .

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    Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on December 21st, 2018

    Brown discharge can occur with pregnancy or a life-threatening infection in the uterus. I would recommend that you have Tara evaluated by a vet. They will do an exam and may recommend diagnostics to determine if either is the case. If she has an infection, spaying is the best and safest treatment.

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    Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 21st, 2018

    Pyometra is not possible as she does not have a uterus. Did they just spay her at the shelter or was she spayed already before she got to the shelter. If they spayed her there (just recently) and she was in heat when they did the surgery then this discharge would be normal. A stump pyometra is possible but I don't think it is very likely - this is where the part of the uterine body that is left over when the uterus is removed becomes infected. An ovarian remnant may be the case. Is she showing any signs of being in heat? Is she showing any signs of illness at all? Remember, discharge from the vulva could also be from the urinary tract and not the reproductive tract. Did your vet run a urinalysis? She could have a UTI or bladder stones. I suggest you talk to your vet about these possibilities. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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