Balanoposthitis in dogs - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

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The diseases in the dog's penis are very frequent and cause a lot of discomfort to the individual who suffers them, so if we observe that a dog licks the penis more than usual or that there is a secretion of pus , among other symptoms, means that something bothers you and/or hurts.

There are many causes that can cause injuries, from bacterial infections to the presence of a tumor, in fact, there are dozens of possible pathologies that they can affect the penis of the dog.One of them is, mainly in non-castrated individuals, balanoposthitis in dogs, an inflammation of the penis and the foreskin.

In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will discuss in detail the balanoposthitis in dogs, their causes, symptoms and treatment .However, if you suspect that your dog may suffer rla, you should know that the 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).of the cases, the agents responsible for this infection are naturally present in the foreskin ecosystem, without causing problems.

However, when these microorganisms proliferate excessively in relation to others, the infection known as balanoposthitis.This inflammation can occur in any phase of the dog's life , even in puppies, but it is more common in adult or advanced animals.

Causes of balanopostite in dogs

There are different factors that may be involved in balanoposthitis in dogs.The most common cause is the presence of opportunistic bacteria that cause an infection.In most cases, the bacterium responsible for balanoposthitis the 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 in the foreskin of the dog but, when they have the opportunity, it reproduces and the excess causes different health problems.

There are other microorganisms that may also be involved in balanoposthitis in dogs, such as Mycoplasma or species of Ureaplasma , although it is less frequent.But in addition, there are other health problems that can lead to the development of balanoposthitis, such as the presence of a body of tin in the penis, trauma, atopic dermatitis, cancer, canine herpesvirus, phimosis, paraphimosis, etc.

Symptoms of balanopost 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 may be yellow or green and there may be presence of blood.It is important to note that the dog normally produces a yellowish discharge, which functions as a lubricant, which we can easily observe when sleeping.It should not be confused with the pus of an infection.

Other symptoms of balanoposthitis are the fetid smell in the dog's penis , in addition to the presence of follicles and ulcers.Also, it is common for the dog to lick the penis excessively, due to the discomfort he feels.In some cases, the dog may have swollen foreskin .

Balanopostite treatment

In general, the veterinarian will make the diagnosis of balanoposthitis based on the physical examination and the observation of the dog's genital organ, followed by a culture of bacteria aerobic and mycoplasma of 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 cause underlying the problem.However, in general, it implies the administration of antibiotics for dogs orally or topically.

In cases where there is an excessive production of pus in the dog's penis, it may be very advisable to wash the area with hot water and diluted iodine , although dilute chlorhexidine may also be an option.The veterinarian will prescribe the most appropriate solution and the number Repeats 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 balanoposthitis is due to a problem of topical dermatitis, the veterinarian may prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids .Also, some studies claim that castration can decrease the amount and frequency of secretions, even if it doesn't end with n them.

In the most serious cases, when necrosis (tissue death) or when there are lacerations or abscesses, it may be necessary to perform penectomy , that is , surgically remove the penis .

This article is purely informative, at Animals and Pets Online we have no power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in the event that he presents any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Balanoposthitis in dogs-Causes, symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our section on Diseases of the reproductive system.

Bibliography

• Kustritz, R.(2001) Canine penis disorders. Veterinary Clinics of North Ame rica: Small Animal Practice, 31 (2), 247-258.
• Davidson.AP Balanoposthitis in Small Animals.Msd Veterinary Manual.
• Volpato, R.et al (2010) disorders of the penis and foreskin of dogs: literature review. Veterinaria y Zootecnia.v.17, section 3.p.312-323