Diseases in the dog's penis are very common and cause a lot of discomfort to the individual who suffers from them. Therefore, if we observe that a dog licks his penis more than usual or that there is a secretion of pus, among other symptoms, it means that something bothers him and/or hurts him.
There are many causes that can cause wounds, from bacterial infections to the presence of a tumor, in fact, there are dozens of possible pathologies that can affect the dog's penis. One of them is, mainly in non-neutered individuals, balanoposthitis in dogs, an inflammation of the penis and foreskin.
In this article on our site we will talk in detail about balanoposthitis in dogs, its causes, symptoms and treatment However, if If you suspect that your dog may suffer from it, you should know that a visit to your veterinarian is mandatory, the sooner the better.
What is balanoposthitis in dogs?
Balanoposthitis is characterized by inflammation of the glans penis (balanitis) and inflammation of the mucosa of the foreskin (prostitis). In most cases, the agents responsible for this infection are naturally present in the ecosystem of the foreskin, without causing problems.
However, when these microorganisms proliferate excessively in relation to others, the infection known as balanoposthitis occurs. This inflammation can occur at any stage of a dog's life, including puppies, but is more common in older or older animals.
Causes of balanopostita in dogs
There are different factors that may be involved in balanoposthitis in dogs. The most common cause is the presence of opportunistic bacteria causing an infection. In most cases, the bacteria responsible for balanoposthitis is Escherichia coli.
However, there are case studies in which other bacteria were responsible, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphulococcus aureus and Klebsiella sp. These bacteria are also found naturally on the dog's foreskin, but when they get a chance, they reproduce and the excess causes various he alth problems.
There are other microorganisms that may also commonly be involved in balanoposthitis in dogs, such as Mycoplasma or Ureaplasma species, although it is less frequent. But in addition, there are other he alth problems that can lead to the development of balanoposthitis, such as the presence of a tin body in the penis, trauma, atopic dermatitis, cancer, canine herpesvirus, phimosis, paraphimosis, etc..
Symptoms of balanopostita in dogs
The most common clinical sign of balanoposthitis in dogs is the presence of pus in the dog's penis Depending on the cause, the pus it may be yellow or green and there may be blood present. It is important to point out that the dog normally produces a yellowish secretion, which works as a lubricant, which we can easily observe when it is sleeping. Not to be confused with pus from an infection.
Other symptoms of balanoposthitis are the foul odor from the dog's penis, in addition to the presence of follicles and ulcers. Likewise, it is common for the dog to lick his penis excessively, due to the discomfort he feels. In some cases, the dog may have swollen foreskin
Balanopostite treatment
In general, the veterinarian will diagnose balanoposthitis based on the physical examination and the observation of the dog's genitalia, followed by a culture of aerobic bacteria and mycoplasma from the foreskin and penile mucosa, to confirm which microorganisms are involved and thus define the most appropriate therapeutic approach.
Thus, the treatment will depend directly on the underlying cause of the problem. However, in general, it involves the administration of antibiotics for dogs orally or topically.
In cases where there is excessive production of pus in the dog's penis, it may be highly advisable to wash the area with hot water and diluted iodine, although diluted chlorhexidine may also be an option. The veterinarian will prescribe the most appropriate solution and the number of repetitions of the wash that should be done. Remember that the dog should not lick his penis or foreskin , so he will probably also prescribe the use of an Elizabethan collar
In the event that the balanoposthitis is due to a problem of topical dermatitis, the veterinarian may prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids Likewise, some studies claim that castration can reduce the amount and frequency of secretions, although it does not end them.
In the most severe cases, when necrosis (the death of tissue) has occurred or when there are lacerations or abscesses, it may be necessary to perform a penectomy, that is, surgically remove the penis.
