Private parts and cleanliness for doodles

[Nancy and Georgia Brown]

Okay, I'm sure this has been brought up, probably countless times, but after a few searches my issue didn't come up. Maybe I just didn't type in the right words.

My pup is perfectly healthy (but maybe that is an assumption on my part) and potty training is going well. She's 9 weeks old yesterday and I have had her for a week.

She licks her pee pee constantly. There are hairs that are long in that area and they get wet when she pees. It's dried and crusty when it isn't wet. There are stains on her bedding. She's not peeing in her crate, I just think is residue from the hairs and/or licking.

The questions are: What is the proper way to keep that area clean and healthy? Do I trim those hairs even at this young age? Do I have to wash that area a couple times a day?

My last dog was a short haired dog and this was never an issue. So this is all new to me.

[Nancy and Georgia Brown]

Thanks.
Sounds like if it is vaginitis it will clear up on it's own as long as I practice proper hygiene. So that is good.
I do take her out about every 2 hours during the day. If she's out of her crate I keep an eye on her at all times. Sometimes more if I'm heading out.

[Nancy and Georgia Brown]

I just wanted to follow up with this post.

She did have puppy vaginitis. I took her to the vet 2 weeks ago when I noticed yellowy discharge instead of just the crustiness. They put her on Clavamox. I took her in again today and it hasn't cleared up. We have a couple days left on the Clavamox, but he gave me an antibiotic cream to apply once a day topically as a different approach. 

They didn't do any other extensive tests. I'm happy because all those tests can be expensive. But I also wonder. I told the vet that I felt lucky because she seemed like such a calm mellow puppy and every one that meets her comments on that. I just hope it's not because she's sick. She seems pretty healthy other than that. She does scratch and chew a lot but no fleas or obvious irritation in any one area.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks for the update. I hope it clears soon.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Thanks for taking the time to update us. Hoping she is able to some relief soon.

[Pam & Trixie]

Hi Nancy,   Thanks for the update.

With Trixie we did not use anything to treat it.  (except the baby wipes)   If you look up Puppy Vaginitis (not Adult) 

Most say it needs time & patience.

Trixie probably had it off & on (symptom wise) for 6 months.

From the research I did back then.  I decided to spay her after her 1st heat cycle...Some said that would 'cure' the vaginitis.

Trixie was a very mellow puppy- I dont think because of the vaginitis.  She is also a very mellow- even lazy adult dog :)

[Nancy and Georgia Brown]

Thanks, I did look it up and let it go for maybe too long after my internet reading. This might be the case of a little knowledge and lack of experience being dangerous. I was washing her in that area daily because it was so dried and crusty all the time. I trimmed the hair. I also used the baby wipes. But it didn't seem to make much of a difference.

The vet said my case was a little more serious than what he felt comfortable letting nature take it's coarse.

I mostly want to post this because it may be helpful for others in my situation.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

our prior dog was a female lab and got vaginitis frequently.  so much fun getting the cream in there!  of course it was my job as the nurse/mom!  even a girl dog has her dignity! 

good luck and hope it clears up soon.  

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Thank you for the update... Its good to hear she's getting the medical attention she needs.