Canine Penis Infection

Reader Question: Which Canine Penis Problem Is My Dog Suffering From?

I have a Hungarian Viszla dog (not neutered) who is a normally very healthy, active 2 1/2 year old. We have been on holiday recently and he has been in kennels for two weeks. We noticed on our return that his appetite seemed slightly diminished and that he had 'lost' his voice - i.e. his bark - but put this down to his having been barking at our absence whilst in the kennels and that both bark and appetite would return.

In his walks with us, he seemed as energetic as usual. But, over that first week back and then in the second week, we also noticed that the sheath around his penis, right the way back to his testicles and up in towards the inner leg, is very swollen and red, with what feels like many swollen glands; also his testicles are red and he is obviously sore, licking his penis quite often (which looks sore, wet and red).

Other symptoms include discharge from his eyes and his coat not seeming as shiny as normal. In the meantime, his appetite seems to have returned but his energy seems to wax and wane a bit - sometimes he mad chases a squirrel, pheasant or whatever (as normal); sometimes he stays closer to us and doesn't gallop around (less common). His bark has still not fully returned (now 2 weeks since he came back from kennels). Finally, as far as I can see, there is no blood in his urine and he is defecating and peeing normally.

Does this sound like a virus to you, requiring antibiotics? Could he have caught something from a dog at the kennel? Could it be an allergic reaction to something - or what?

Any thoughts gratefully received!

PS Photo shows mud, from recent walk, as well as the red inflammation!

Vet Diagnosis of Canine Penis Problem

Hi,

I suspect you are right that your dog’s change in bark is a result of “overuse” while he was kenneled. As for the skin problems around his sheath, it could be an allergic or irritant reaction to the cleaning solutions or something else that was present in the kennel environment. This area is especially sensitive since it is sparsely covered with hair and comes in contact with the floor whenever he sits or lies down.

If you haven’t done so already, it wouldn’t hurt to give him a bath with a gentle shampoo, paying close attention to the affected areas and rinsing them with lots of cool water. Applying a lotion containing Aloe Vera (but no alcohol) after the skin has dried and then for several days more could also help speed healing. If his condition fails to get better over a week or so, or gets worse at any time, a trip to your veterinarian is called for.

Regards,

Jennifer Coates, DVM

Phimosis and Resulting Dog Penis Infection

by Masha
(Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Reader Question: Signs of Dog Penis Infection

My 1 1/2 yr old neutered male pug has had his penis out too often since being neutered, but in the last 2-3 months it has gotten worse (been out of the foreskin very frequently). I noticed that it was out a few times while he was sitting/lying down on grass, earth, etc for long periods of time and that it had picked up some dirt.

I cleaned it, but was unable to put it back in completely. Now he urinates frequently but smaller amounts than before, seems like he is straining when he urinates, licks his penis constantly and has a whitish-yellow discharge.

Maybe it got infected from the dirt? Which tests would you recommend for a) the current infection? b)finding the underlying source of the phimosis?

Thank you so much for your help!!!

Veterinarian Suggestion: Dog Penis Infection

Hi Masha,

It does sound as if your dog might have a urinary tract infection. The best way to diagnose a UTI is for your veterinarian to take a sample of urine directly from your dog’s bladder using a needle and syringe and then examine it with a urine dipstick and urine sediment exam under the microscope.

Your veterinarian will also need to completely examine your dog’s sheath and penis (under sedation would be best) to determine why he can’t fully retract his penis. Possibilities include foreign material within the sheath, an abnormally small opening, neurologic or muscular dysfunction, scar tissue, tumors or infections within the sheath, and more.

Best of luck!

Jennifer Coates, DVM