My sister has a small puppy and it has a yeast infection, the poor thing is itching severely and cannot rest, can we use vagisil on the pup?

Not without a vet approving it. It might be something else (allergy? For instance), not a yeast infection. Be careful about diagnosing yourself or someone else else. (I did that to myself and could have died.)

Why not take the dog to a vet?

Because it's 11:30 at night and there are no vets available at this hour where we live

The dog just started itching tonight?

Yes, that we noticed, she is also red and has an oder, she has been kept from other dogs because of an illness and we just assumed it could be that because the mother dog is not with her, we aren't sure what to do until we can see a vet, do you have any ideas?

Definitely do not use human meds for a dog unless the vet has okayed it. I'll whistle for a dog expert to see this thread.

This was on a site --

"The numbing agent,(benzocaine) in Vagisil could make your dog sick with a form of anemia!"

Don't use vagisil, just wash the area with warm water (no soap) and wait until morning.

It may not be a yeast infection so you can't diagnose without seeing a vet.

How old is the puppy? Is she spayed?

oh ick :( that would be terrible! I had read to not use it in their ears but I also saw sites that people had posted that you could use it, I wouldn't want to use anything that would harm her =(

Hi Diane.

I need to ask a few questions.

How old is the puppy? Is it weaned yet? Are any of the other puppies itchy? You said she's red. Where?

This isn't necessarily a yeast infection, and I really would be weary about using vagisil. Is there an emergency vet you can call? I'm not suggesting you take the pup to the emergency vet, but many of them will answer questions like this over the phone.

she is almost 3 months old, she has not been fixed, no other puppies are sick, her vagina is red and there looks to be a white mucus discharge also, we do not have an emergency vet, I wish we did =(

I have washed her and that seemed to help for as long as her bottom was in the water

She is almost 3 months old, she has not been spayed yet

Poor little girl.

Tea tree oil is supposedly great for dogs with itching problems, it's also supposed to be a natural way to cure yeast infections in dogs. I myself have never tried it, I only have male dogs. :)

If you choose to try this please know that this isn't something that I've tested, I've only heard of other people that have used it. The best bet is still the vet, and I would get her there tomorrow. In the meantime tea tree oil might help soothe the itching enough to get you through the night.

You might also try oatmeal. It won't help the yeast infection (if that's what you're dealing with) but it may soothe the itching.

Mix plain oatmeal with warm water, into a paste. Apply to the itchy area, leave it for 10 minutes, and then rinse. You can put a bit of vitamin E gel on it afterwards. It should soothe the itching, but it won't cure the problem.

Would we just apply the oil to the area or mix it with water?

Here's the cat lady again. I'd dilute it with equal amounts of water, although I'm guessing full strength would be okay too. Be sparing in the use of it, and do not think you have cured the problem. Please still follow up with the vet.

we called the vet this morning and all he said to do was use warm water to wash her and that was it, no other recommendations =/ He did however say to NOT use Vagisil on her, I'm glad we didn't!

This is a downside to living in a small town, we have but one person that we can take our pets too and to be honest he isn't very good.

Why don't you try calling a more reputable vet from a larger town nearby?

I would imagine that they would at least give advice over the phone, even if not for their own patient (even though it depends on the vet as an individual).

If your vet's recommendations and the oatmeal don't clear it up, take her in to get diagnosed. I could suggest several things that clear up yeast infections in canine ears, but if that would work on a canine vagina or if that's even what's up with your pup is still unclear.

I hope she gets relief soon!

This is a downside to living in a small town, we have but one person that we can take our pets too and to be honest he isn't very good.

I totally understand, because I grew up in a farm town of 500, so the only vet was for large animals. Are there any other vets in the area? (And at least this "not very good" vet knew to avoid using Vagisil!)

That is very difficult to kill. The vet needs to see what type of yeast it is and give you a some type of rinse.. The rinse has to be modified in order to manage the yeast.

I would say no on vagisil. Vagisil is typically an at home treatment for ringworm when it comes to dogs. Yeast in dogs is a different type of yeast that grows in the human vagina.

Going to have to contact your vet on this one... Maybe if your vet is nice, he can diagnose over the phone.. However, white discharge seems like an infection to me..

Either bladder or vaginal infections are not uncommon in young female puppies. This would also help explain the odor. Best have a vet exam, and get a more specific medication.