Male dog bleeding from private area: beware!

A male dog bleeding from private area is definitely a sign to be concerned about and requires your immediate attention. Let’s look at a couple of conditions that may prevail in such a situation and ways to deal with it.

Prolapsus Uretral In Dogs

Urethral prolapse is an uncommon condition found in young dogs and certain breeds are most predisposed to this problem. Urethral prolapse results in a mass of fleshy tissue coming out of the end of the penis. This is usually corrected by surgery and the risk of recurrence is reduced with concomitant sterilization.

Male dog bleeding from private area: How can urethral prolapse be the cause?

The urethra is a tube that allows urine to pass from the bladder to the outside. In the male dog anatomy, this duct passes through the penis. Urethral prolapse is a relaxation of the tissue that normally holds the urethra in place in the penis and is usually observed in young male dogs.

The exact cause of this condition is not really known. Urethral prolapse appears to be attributable to a developmental disorder of the urethra and increased pressure in the abdomen as a result of breathing difficulties, problems urinating or during phases of sexual arousal, during certain affections of the urinary tract (lithiasis, cystitis) but also of abdominal strain (sneezing, vomiting).

Brachycephalic breeds are considered to have a predisposition, such as the English Bulldog and the Yorkshire.

The following clinical signs of urethral prolapse in dogs are generally observed:

• Difficulty urinating
• Abnormal licking of the penis
• Irritation of the penis
• The presence of a red mass coming out of the penis
• Intermittent bleeding from the tip of the penis, especially after a phase of arousal or urination.

How to confirm the diagnosis of urethral prolapse in dogs?

Examination of the tip of the penis by a veterinarian is usually sufficient to make an appropriate diagnosis. However, it is important to perform additional examinations (urinalysis, ultrasound) to look for a primary cause (urinary tract infection, tumor of the urinary tract, stones)

Male dog bleeding from private area: Treatment of urethral prolapse in dogs

Treatment of the root cause is essential as with most health issues. The treatment of the prolapse itself is surgical. It involves removing the exteriorized part of the urethra, while ensuring scar stenosis of the opening is prevented by carefully suturing the edges of the urethra.

Along with excision of the prolapsed part of the urethra, it can be attached to the penis with a few stitches. Vets also perform this type of intervention with a laser or with a tissue fusion system (called Ligasure®) in certain specific situations.

If the cause of urethral prolapse is sexual, the benefit of castration are considered.

What are the potential complications ?

Complications such as recurrence or stricture of the urethra are possible. Bleeding may persist for a few days after the surgery procedure. recommended post-operation care requires complete rest for a minimum of 2 weeks.

Complete recommendations and post-operation care, if any, will be explained to you in details by a veterinarian when your animal is discharged. A detailed report will be provided and in case of complications or questions, you should be able reach the clinic or the veterinarian by phone.

Post-surgery prognosis

After surgical intervention, the prognosis is generally very good and the dog can then back to normal activity level in 30 days.

Male dog bleeding from private area: it could be hematuria

If your dog has blood in his urine, the condition is called hematuria. You must urgently see your veterinarian to do tests and determine the cause. Blood in a dog’s urine is always a veterinary emergency. This can indeed be a sign of a very serious underlying disease, but also it could be a simple infection.

Why does a dog have blood in its urine?

Urinary tract infections are quite common in dogs. One of the main reasons a dog can have blood in their urine is the presence of bacteria in the bladder or kidneys. But this is far from the only one! Sometimes this situation can seriously damage your pet’s kidneys or even be life threatening. Indeed, hematuria, which refers to the presence of blood in the urine, is likely to have multiple causes: trauma to the urinary or genital tract, infectious diseases, urinary stones, tumor in the kidneys, bladder or urinary tract, coagulation disorders as well as poisoning.

Hematuria and hemoglobinuria

It is difficult to differentiate between hematuria and hemoglobinuria, the latter being characterized by the presence of hemoglobin in the urine. In this case, the urine is a dark red-brown color. The destruction of red blood cells can be due to anemia, poisoning, or a parasitic disease called piroplasmosis. A third type of blood in the urine is myoglobinuria. It is caused by heat strokes, convulsions and any type of electric shock.

Advice on how to treat hematuria

If you see blood in your dog’s urine, there is nothing you can do to fix it on your own. On the other hand, you should plan on providing answers to as many veterinary questions as possible such a: What is the color of the urine? When does blood appear? Is it staining or are there clots? Does the dog have difficulty urinating? Does the urination seem painful? Does he have any other symptoms such as fever? Write down everything you can observe.

Impact on a dog’s behavior

A dog suffering from the conditions described above may develop uncommon behavior and dog owners may, for example, ask why “why does my dog pee on his bed?”.

If you own a dog experiencing issues discussed in this article you have to be aware of possible side effects on the peeing or pooping habits of your canine friend.

Male dog bleeding from private area: When to consult?

Indeed, faced with this problem, it is always necessary to consult your veterinarian quickly. Only he can make an accurate diagnosis and decide on the appropriate treatment. Urine and blood tests will be performed, the former sometimes under cystosynthesis where the bladder is punctured directly through the abdomen using a needle and syringe. Bacteriological tests may also be necessary, as well as imaging to detect a possible lesion or tumor. A simple urinary tract infection can be treated with antibiotic treatment (which can take quite a long time), while stones or a tumor will require surgery.