Vulvaplasty: Generically Called the Vulva Tuck
Everyone has seen people after they lost considerable amounts of weight where they have excess areas of skin hanging on their body. After substantial weight loss, people will then go in and have cosmetic procedures to get rid of this extra flab. With female greyhounds to some degree it is similar but to a greater degree it is significantly different.
Over the years, we have seen many female greyhounds that have extra skin over their vulva area and this will often create a problem where they get yeast infections, the area becomes irritated and they often have topical infections. As one adopter said, "she had to use more wipes on her greyhound than she did on her child".
The procedure to correct this problem is not cosmetic at all but therapeutic and truly ends the problem forever. Every adopter that we had done this procedure to their dog has always been thrilled. What we are basically doing is removing the extra skin and eliminating the flap.
It can often be a very bloody procedure because the area is very vascular or has many blood vessels that can create significant bleeding.
This last procedure was done with our new Biolase MD, and there was almost no bleeding at all, the area may be sore for a short period of time but the long term is extremely beneficial. We do not consider it a high risk surgery and suggest greyhound adopters that have greyhounds with this problem have it taken care of.
Using the laser significantly reduces the bleeding because as you are cutting, you are also cauterizing. Additionally, you are sterilizing the area immediately surrounding where you are cutting. The photos below show a procedure, step by step and the ultimate result.
We know a few veterinarian facilities aware of the procedure and have done it. But with proper techniques it is very safe and certainly worth while.
