Rash & sores near her labia / vulva

[unrequited]

Hi, sorry this has to be the first post, but I'm at a loss and won't be able to get to the vet for at least a week. Bailey's about 2-years old and has always had some matted crud near her vulva, that I've cleaned softly with a wet paper towel, but recently she's been biting at it, and has opened rashes / sores. The crud's been cleaned in this pic, and I was careful not to rub off the scabs, but they came off easily. She's been licking herself all day because of this, and I'm wondering if this is temporary, or has the ability to get a lot worse. Any help would be much appreciated, and I have a picture of what it looks like here:

(be aware, this is my dog's naughty-bits)
http://i.imgur.com/pdHan.jpg

Thanks!

[khanis]

All that I can say is OUCH!

I would make the time to get to the vet..
it isn't fair for her to be dealing with this kind of thing.

It actually looks like bug bites to me.
If you can't get her in, I would call them and ask wha tyou could do in the mean time.
Have you tried any benedryl to help with the itchiness?

[unrequited]

Nope, haven't tried benadryl, and I only noticed it today upon coming home from work.

[YodelDogs]

It does look a lot like she may have sat on an ant hill or something and got bit multiple times. I agree with Kathy about using Benedryl. It works wonders on itchiness.

[Patty]

I'm a bit disturbed about the 'matted crud' that you say she always has around her vulva. That seems quite unusual to me - a bitch normally keeps herself very clean - there should be no reason for it and I think it could be that she has some internal infection. Has she had this ever since you had her?

Please do try and get her to the vets as soon as possible and in the meantime use whatever has been suggested to stop the itching.

[DebraDownSouth]

@Patty:

I'm a bit disturbed about the 'matted crud' that you say she always has around her vulva. That seems quite unusual to me - a bitch normally keeps herself very clean - there should be no reason for it and I think it could be that she has some internal infection. Has she had this ever since you had her?

Please do try and get her to the vets as soon as possible and in the meantime use whatever has been suggested to stop the itching.

Patty, have to disagree. Sayblee and MOST my dogs have kept self clean. Arwen and Cara and one of my Rotties consider that my job. The Rottie only got crud if she gained weight, making her vaginal area "fluffier" and kept moisture. But Arwen is actually on the thin side now and just the way it folds I have to use a baby wipe and clean at least weekly, ditto for Cara.

Benedryl will help the itching, but I have to agree with the rest… vet asap unless you can put something on her to stop her from continually licking (like an eliz collar). Some cortizone ointment on the area might help, but you'll need to keep her off it for an hour and then wipe off to prevent her from ingesting it.

[tanza]

I would think Yeast infection…. and I agree with all others, need to make time to take her to the Vet. And watch using Benedryl before you go to the Vet as it may mask the real problem

To clean it I would use an antibacterial product

[Marie Heidebrecht]

Definitely looks like something you want checked out ASAP. That's got to be very uncomfortable for her. Your vet might want to check a urine sample - if there are crystals or an infection they can cause vulvar irritation. Licking excessively only makes matters worse. E-collar or a diaper for sure to prevent further self-trauma. A diaper will be better if she's also scooting. I use a diaper rash type cream called Calmoseptine on Jigsaw when she's looking a bit irritated. After everything else is ruled out, that kind of thing might help to settle it.

[Lenora]

That looks like yeast to me.