Dog penis diseases are very common and cause a lot of discomfort, if your dog licks the penis more than usual or if there is an exaggerated discharge, it may indicate that something is bothering him.
Your dog may have been injured, have a bacterial infection, or even a tumor.There are dozens of possible diseases in the dog’s penis.One of the most common problems with a dog’s penis, especially in unsalted dogs, is balanopostitis, an inflammation of the penis.penis and foreskin In this peritoAnimal article, we will explain everything you need to know about canine balanopostitis: causes, symptoms and treatment.
- Balanopostitis is characterized by inflammation of the penile gland (balanitis) and inflammation of the foreskin lining (postitis).
- In most cases the agents responsible for this infection usually exist in the ecosystem present in the foreskin.
- Without causing any problems.
- These microorganisms proliferate more than others.
- An infection called balanoposthite appears.
This inflammation can occur at any stage of a dog’s life, including puppies, but is more common in older animals.
There are several factors that may be involved in balanopostitis in dogs, the most common cause is the presence of opportunistic bacteria that cause infection, in most cases the bacteria responsible for balanopostitis in dogs is Escherichia coli; however, there are reports of cases in which other bacteria were responsible, for example: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphulococcus aureus and Klebsiella sp.These bacteria are naturally present in the dog’s foreskin but when they have the opportunity they reproduce and an excess causes problems (that’s why they are called opportunistic bacteria).
Other microorganisms commonly involved in balanopostitis in dogs are Mycoplasma.Ureaplasma species may also be involved, although they are less common.
In addition, there are other problems that can lead to the development of balanopostitis in dogs, such as the presence of a tin body in the penis, trauma, atopic dermatitis, herpes viruses, neoplasms, phymosis, etc.
The most common clinical sign of balanoposthitis is the presence of pus on the dog’s penis; Depending on the cause, the pus may be yellow, green, and there may be blood; It is important to note that the dog normally produces a yellowish discharge, which acts as a lubricant and is often seen primarily when sleeping. This lubricant is normal and should not be confused with pus caused by an infection.
Other symptoms of balanopostitis include the foul smell of the penis, follicles and dog ulcers.In addition, it is common for the dog to excessively ingest the penis, due to the discomfort it feels.In some cases, the dog may have a swollen foreskin.
Generally, the veterinarian diagnoses balanopostitis by physical examination and observation of the dog’s genitals, followed by a culture of aerobic bacteria and mycoplasmas of the foreskin and lining of the penis, to confirm which microorganisms are involved and define the most appropriate therapeutic approach.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the problem and usually includes the administration of systemic or topical antibiotics.
In cases where there is excessive production of pus in the dog’s penis, it may be advisable to wash it with warm water, diluted iodine or chlorhexidine.Your veterinarian will advise you on the most suitable solution and the number of wash repeats to be performed, as well as the most suitable syringe.Please note that your dog cannot lick the penis and foreskin, otherwise treatment may be delayed.The most effective way to prevent your dog from ingesting your genitals is to put on an Elizabethan collar.
If balanopostitis is caused by topical dermatitis, the veterinarian may prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids.
Some experts say castration can decrease the amount and frequency of secretions, even if it doesn’t end them.
In the most severe cases, in case of necrosis, lacerations or abscesses, a penectomy, i.e. surgically removing the penis, may be necessary.
This article is merely informative, at Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis, we suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read articles similar to, we recommend that you visit our section Reproductive system diseases.