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My dog's vulva is red and swollen after grooming. What could it be?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Female | unspayed

Hi, my pet Shihtzu has been to the groomers yesterday as her hair was really long! She's had it all cut short but today we have noticed her vulva is red and swollen, could you advise what this could be?

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 5th, 2017

This looks like a mass adjacent to the vulva, and it is probably not related to the recent grooming. This could be a benign mass like a lipoma or could be something more serious, and I would recommend taking her to your veterinarian to have it examined. They may want to take a small sample using a needle. Another possibility would be a hernia, although this is a little less likely based on your picture, but a veterinarian would probably be able to determine whether or not a hernia is possible based on an exam.

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    Answered By Dr Stafford, BVetMed, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    It is hard to see from the photo but this actually looks like a mass near the vulva as opposed to a swollen vulva. I would have it checked and tested by the vet as lumps in this area can be nasty. Otherwise it may be a reaction in the skin due to clipping or shampoo but I think this is less likely.

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