Why Your Pregnant Dog Has a Discharge

It is normal for pregnant dogs to have some clear jelly-like vaginal discharge early throughout the pregnancy. First the discharge is to help form a mucus plug to protect the puppies, but then it comes out before labor.

  1. Fun Fact

    • A transparent, odor-free discharge means that the dog is pregnant and forming a mucus plug. This is one way to diagnose pregnancy in a dog as soon as two weeks after breeding, according to PetEducation.com.

    Dilation

    • One week or less before labor begins, the mucus plug will come out of the dog's vagina in order to widen the cervix. This may look like a long ball of ear wax or like long strings of mucus streaked with blood, according to Dog Breed Info Center.

    Labor

    • While in labor, yellow discharge comes before the puppy because the membranes around the puppy burst open. Sometimes a green fluid will come out as well, which is filled with the puppy's stools while in the placenta, but normally green discharges comes out after the puppy.

    Warning

    • If it's been three to five weeks after breeding and there's a foul smelling, pus-filled or very bloody vaginal discharge, she could have a potentially lethal infection of her uterus called draining pyometra, according to "The Veterinarians' Guide to Your Dog's Symptoms."

    Misconception

    • All throughout the dog's pregnancy, some light pink discharge is normal but may be mistaken for pyometra or abortion, according to Hilltop Animal Hospital. When in doubt, check with a vet.