Please excuse my lack of knowledge...Meg is our 18 month old Viszla girl who was spayed at a very early age. Over the past week or so she has been vigorously licking herself, appearing to be cleaning her vulva although there is no blood or discharge at all. She does appear to be slightly swollen. Has
anyone else encountered this, and do we just leave her to do what she thinks is natural, or is it worth a trip to the vets to make sure it isn't something treatable, any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks

She could have a urinary tract infection, so I'd certainly take her to the vet for a check-up to be on the safe side. Good luck!

Thanks, I didn't want to just leave her licking. A friend had said she may be having a "phantom" season and going through the motions of cleaning herself, but I guess it is better to get her checked. Thanks again for a quick reply.

I'm afraid I've never heard of 'phantom' seasons. She wouldn't be cleaning herself if there was nothing to clean away.
:)

This often happens with bitches that were spayed before maturity.  It is called sometimes Infantile Vulva.  the Vulva has never developed along with the rest of the bitch and becomes sunken and can cause infection and urine scalding in the groin, the liciking then makes matters worse.

the only thing I can suggest is that you wash her with a baby bath liquid or diluted Hibiscrub(an antifungal antibacterial wash used by vets and doctors to scrub up before operations and for cleaning skin) and apply vaseline to protect the area from the urine burn and the licking (as you would a baby in nappies). 

If there is definate redness and signs of infection then a trip to the Vets and a course of antibiotics may be needed.

This is another reason I advise against prepubescent spaying, as I ahve seen this problem among several bitches of people I know.

Thanks Brainless, we're off to the vets this afternoon just to make sure.