Dogs that show signs of bleeding from the penis or prepuce are often seen to have a variety of conditions. These include injuries to the penis and prepuce, disorders of the urinary tract (infections, tumors, bladder stones), blood-clotting problems or diseases of the prostate gland.
It is very important to give your dog a regular head-to-toe health check. This will enable you to notice any significant changes.
Infection
Dogs often develop rashes on the skin-covered prepuce that covers their penis. These rashes can resemble pus and make pet parents worry that their dog has an infection of the sheath or the penis itself. However, the rash may actually be normal and nothing to worry about. The penis produces a substance called smegma that protects the area by keeping it moist and trapping germs. The smegma is odorless and can look yellow or green. It is common for dogs to lick their penis and sheath frequently, and this may cause the smegma to become discolored.
Male dogs can also experience erections that may extend beyond the prepuce, even after being neutered. This is because the male reproductive tract includes the testicles, a tube (the vas deferens) that carries sperm from the testicles to the urethra during ejaculation, and the prostate gland. The prostate gland can also produce a fluid that appears like blood when the prostate is irritated or inflamed.
If the erectile penis and sheath are bleeding, a veterinarian should be consulted. This is to ensure that the underlying problem is treated and the bleeding stops. The veterinary doctor will examine the dog to see whether the bleeding is due to wounds on the penis or prepuce, conditions that affect the urinary tract, such as infections, tumors and bladder stones, and conditions related to the prostate gland, such as benign prostatic hypertrophy.
Paraphimosis
The penis contains the urethra, a tube in male dogs that connects to the urinary tract. This tract consists of the kidneys, tubes leading from the kidneys called ureters, the bladder, and the urethra. A dog that has a problem with any part of this system can sometimes bleed from the penis or prepuce. Bleeding from the prostate gland is also a common problem in un-neutered male dogs that can cause problems during urination and defecation.
If you see blood coming from your dogs penis, please take them to the vet immediately. Your veterinarian will record a detailed history and conduct a thorough examination of your pet. A sample of urine will be taken to look for bacteria or a disease related to the urinary tract. If a urinary tract infection is the cause of the bleeding, your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics for the animal.
Blood from the penis can be caused by injury, infection, disease of the foreskin (balianitis), circulatory deficiencies and blood disorders, or a condition that causes the prostate to become enlarged, called paraphimosis. Bleeding from the penis is never normal, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms that are related to the underlying problem. If you have a routine for giving your dog a head to toe once-over, you will be better at noticing changes when they occur.
Circulatory Deficiency
Dogs with circulation problems in their penis can experience blood dripping from the area due to a lack of blood flow to this region. Generally, this condition can be resolved by ensuring that the animal is getting enough vitamins and nutrients in their diet. However, if you are concerned that the blood loss may be more serious, then it is important to take your dog to the vet immediately.
The veterinarian can determine the underlying cause of the bleeding by taking a urine sample from your dog. If the bleeding is due to a urinary tract infection, they can administer the necessary antibiotics to resolve the issue. If the underlying problem is due to a disease of the prostate gland, then the vet can treat this disease accordingly.
It is also possible that the bleeding in your dog’s penis is caused by a sexually transmitted disease, such as gonorrhea. In this case, the vet can prescribe a variety of different antibiotics to eradicate this infection.
Another possibility is that your dog’s penis is bleeding because of a blood clotting disorder. In this case, the vet will need to run a series of tests to check for other potential causes. These tests can include a complete blood count, platelet count and liver function checkup. In addition, the vet can administer natural remedies to help with the underlying cause of the problem.
Blood Clotting Disorder
If a dog is bleeding from its penis or prepuce it is usually due to an infection, injury or a condition affecting the prostate gland. This could include bacterial infections like prostatitis, tumors, and cystic developments. This condition often presents with symptoms of difficulty urinating, blood in the urine (hematuria) or a bloody discharge from the penis.
A veterinarian will usually take a full exam of the penis and prepuce to determine the cause of this symptom. This includes palpation of the prostate gland to feel if it is enlarged. A urinalysis and x-rays may also be needed to help diagnose the problem.
If the vet determines that the dog is suffering from a condition involving its prostate gland it will usually prescribe antibiotics and other supportive therapy. Some natural remedies that can be used to support the kidneys and prostatic tissue are also helpful. The most common condition causing bleeding from the prepuce in dogs is benign prostatic hyperplasia. This can be treated by neutering the male dog. This will cure most cases of BPH in dogs. If the condition is more serious then surgery may be required. BPH is a common problem that many older dogs will suffer from. It is not contagious. The symptoms are usually very mild and can be controlled with medications from the veterinarian.