Dog penile infection: Balanoposthitis in Dogs
Balanoposthitis in dogs, also known as a dog penile infection, is an uncomfortable — and let’s face it, pretty unpleasant — condition that affects a dog’s penis and the surrounding sheath (prepuce).
While it might sound like a serious condition, balanoposthitis is usually treatable and often preventable with good hygiene and prompt veterinary care.
But what actually is balanoposthitis? Let’s dig into the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery process, so you can help your pup get back to being their happy self.
What is balanoposthitis?
In dogs, a small amount of clear discharge from the penis is normal. But if you notice pus-like or bloody discharge along with swelling or redness, it’s a sign something isn’t right and needs a vet’s attention.
This inflammation, called balanoposthitis, can happen for lots of reasons: bites, injuries, infections, or even small objects like grass or sand getting trapped in the sheath (prepuce). While treatment is usually straightforward, it’s super important to figure out what’s causing the issue to stop it from coming back.
This infection is essentially inflammation of the penis and prepuce, often with a discharge that looks like mucus or pus. It’s pretty common in sexually mature male dogs and is usually mild, often clearing up on its own.
But if it sticks around or gets worse, it can cause bigger problems like pain, infections, difficulty urinating or mating, fever, and in extreme cases, tissue damage.
Symptoms of a dog penile infection
Catching the signs of balanoposthitis early can save your dog a lot of discomfort, and even spare you from dealing with worsening symptoms.
Here’s what to look out for:
- Unusual discharge: Look out for mucus mixed with pus, bloody discharge, or even just pus coming from your dog’s penis or foreskin.
- Excessive licking or biting: If your furry friend is obsessively licking or nibbling at their genital area, it’s a big sign something’s wrong.
- Swelling and redness: Inflammation in the penis or foreskin can cause noticeable puffiness or irritation.
- Ulcers or blisters: Keep an eye out for sores or blisters on the foreskin or penis, these can be signs of infection.
- Bleeding: Any bleeding from the penis or foreskin is definitely a red flag.
- Cuts or tears: Small injuries or tears in the genital area can lead to bigger problems if left untreated.
- Pain or discomfort: If your dog is sensitive when you touch the area, they may be in pain.
- Abnormal growths: Bumps, lumps, or unusual tissue growth on the penis should always be checked by a vet.
- Urination troubles: Difficulty urinating, dribbling urine, or signs of incontinence could indicate more than just balanoposthitis, like a urinary tract infection or even kidney stones.
- Scaly patches: Dry, scaly skin on the penis or foreskin may point to atopic dermatitis.
- Raised follicles: Sometimes, hyperemia (increased blood flow) can cause raised follicles on the penis.
And if balanoposthitis goes untreated, it can lead to more serious issues, such as:
- Abscesses: Painful pockets of pus can form on the penis or foreskin.
- Stenosis: This happens when the foreskin becomes too tight to fully retract, restricting the penis.
- Phimosis: The inability to extend the penis at all, which can cause discomfort and hygiene problems.
- Lethargy: Your dog may seem unusually tired or low-energy.
- Fever: An infection can cause your pup’s temperature to spike.
- Loss of appetite: If your dog isn’t eating, it could be a sign they’re feeling unwell.
- Scarring: Long-term infections can lead to permanent scarring of the penis and foreskin.
- Pain during mating: Discomfort during copulation might reduce your dog’s interest in mating altogether.
- Reduced libido: Your dog may show less interest in normal reproductive behaviors.
- Tissue necrosis: In severe cases, untreated infections can cause tissue death in the affected area.
When to call the vet
If your dog is showing signs like lethargy, fever, or loss of appetite, the infection might have spread or become more serious, possibly also tied to a dog urinary tract infection.
Don’t wait — call your vet ASAP to get help and prevent further issues down the line.
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Causes of balanoposthitis in dogs
Causes of balanoposthitis in your dog may include:
- Trauma
- Snake or insect bite
- Foreign body, such as hair, string, cords, grass, sand or other small objects
- Bacterial infection, such as Mycoplasma and Staphylococcus
- Viral infection, such as canine herpesvirus and calicivirus
- Fungal infection, such as Malassezia
- Protozoal infection
- Self-trauma, such as excessive licking
- Atopic dermatitis
- Urinary tract infection
- Poor hygiene
- Hyperemia of the penis, or an excess of blood flow
Diagnosis of a dog penile infection
If you suspect your dog has balanoposthitis, a vet visit is a must! A full exam will be conducted by your vet to determine why your dog has become inflamed in these areas.
They’ll also ask about recent behaviors, like licking or straining during urination, and whether your dog has been in potentially dirty environments.
Things your veterinarian will look for are foreign bodies lodged in the prepuce, lacerations, masses, abscesses, blisters, ulcerations, and other signs of infection.
Any changes in appetite, behavior or elimination can be important for a correct diagnosis, so be prepared to tell your vet if these have been happening recently.
Your vet might also conduct an analysis of preputial smears, infected tissues, bacterial cultures, biopsy, and papules or blisters.
If urinary issues are present, your vet may order X-rays or an ultrasound of the bladder, prostate, and genital areas. This is to check for any masses, infections or blockages that may be causing the issue.
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Treatment of balanoposthitis
Luckily, most cases of balanoposthitis are treatable with the right care. The type of treatment will depend on if it’s a mild or more severe case:
Treating mild cases
If your dog has a mild case of balanoposthitis, you may not need to do much at all! This is especially common in sexually mature dogs with slightly mucopurulent (mucus-like) discharge, and it often clears up on its own. If your vet recommends treatment, simple antiseptic flushes or topical antibiotics can help speed up recovery.
Treating severe cases
For more severe cases, treatment is a bit more involved. Your vet will start by removing any foreign objects, like bits of debris or hair, that might be causing the irritation. Next, they’ll thoroughly clean the penis and prepuce with an antiseptic solution. Depending on the severity and the cause, your dog may need:
- Antibiotic ointments to fight infection.
- Abscess care: If abscesses are present, they may need to be lanced, drained, and carefully cleaned.
- Surgery: In rare cases, surgery may be required to remove abnormal tissue growth or address structural issues.
If an underlying cause, like a bacterial infection or urinary tract problem, is identified, it’ll need to be treated to prevent future flare-ups. Your vet will likely work with you to create a treatment plan tailored to your dog’s needs.
Even with proper care, recurrence can happen if the root cause isn’t fully addressed. Keeping up with your vet’s recommendations and monitoring your dog closely can make all the difference!
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Recovery after a dog penile infection
Once treatment begins, your dog should start feeling better soon - hooray! But recovery doesn’t end when symptoms improve. Ongoing care is key to preventing recurrence.
Recovery timeline
- Mild infections: Improvement is usually noticeable within a week.
- Severe infections: Full recovery may take several weeks, especially if underlying issues are involved.
Long-term prevention
- Hygiene is king: Regularly clean the preputial area to prevent future infections.
- Routine vet visits: Regular check-ups can catch problems early.
- Watch for early signs: Excessive licking or discharge are red flags to act on quickly.
By staying on top of your dog’s care, you can help them stay happy, healthy, and infection-free.
And when they’re feeling better, why not treat them to their favorite meal? Check out some of our picks for the best dry food, high-protein food, or even some of the best plant-based dog food out there.
Balanoposthitis In Dogs Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Yorkshire Terrier
Thirteen Years
7 found this helpful
7 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Genital Licking
My Yorkie is constantly licking his penis all the sudden. He also will jump up for no apparent reason and run like he is startled or something jabbed him but without actual cause.
Dec. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
7 Recommendations
Hello, he may have a urinary tract infection causing him to lick constantly and be mildly painful. It would be best for him to see your vet. They will check a sample of his urine to see if there is an infection and start him on the correct treatment for his issue.
Dec. 26, 2020
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bitchon
Three Years
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Painful Urination
Cries when penis touch
Dec. 22, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
5 Recommendations
Hello, so sorry to hear about your dog. He could have a urinary tract infection, bladder stone or something physically wrong with his penis. If the penis is not a nice pink color he needs to see your vet right away.
Dec. 22, 2020
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Maltipoo
One Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
My dog has not been able to go to the bathroom since yesterday around 2pm.. his private area is swollen with brown colored skin around his penis.
Dec. 3, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
0 Recommendations
Hello, I would look at your dog's penis to see if it also looks okay. I am very worried that he has a medical emergency and needs to be seen right away. Not urinating in over 24 hours can be life threantening. He really needs to go to the emergency vet right away. I hope he starts to improve soon.
Dec. 3, 2020
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pi
3 years
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swollen Penis
Swollen around his penis
Oct. 31, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
5 Recommendations
So sorry that your dog is having issues. This could be due to many different reasons. Some will go away and some are very concerning. Without being able to see him, I would recommend that you take him to a vet soon. This will make sure that there is nothing serious going on that needs to be addressed.
Oct. 31, 2020
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shitzu
Fifteen Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Ulcer
I think this is an ulcer on his penis? Not really sure. It looks the wrong color of red. He wears diapers 24/7. Changed 5 to 6 times per day and he is taken out for bathroom breaks 5 time a day. His regular vet knows he pees a lot and about the diapers. Clean his area when diaper is changed to prevent infections.
Oct. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
2 Recommendations
I'm sorry to hear this.
Thank you for those photos; they are really useful.
In the 3rd picture in particular it does appear that there is a skin ulcer.
This can be due to chronic 'urine scald', whereby there is always urine in that area and the skin is unable to cope with the acidity.
It is also possible that there is a bacterial infection.
This is a really common issue in incontinent dogs. It sounds like you are doing a great job and I don't believe it is because you are doing anything wrong.
Work hard to clean the area of any urine and (most importantly) to dry the skin as thoroughly as possible. The drying is very important.
We might wish to swab the area to check for an infection and, often, a cream or antibiotic tablets will help.
A barrier cream (like you would use for nappy rash for babies) can also prove useful to protect the area.
You don't mention the reason for the soiling but some dogs can have their incontinence treated with medication.
Oct. 27, 2020
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Tibetan Terrier
Dylan
11 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Leaking Disharge, Licking.
My 11 year old Tibetan Terrier boy who is neutered, was bitten on his penis by an aggressive dog & while he was in my arms. The bite was superficial, just grazing the surface of the skin & the vet said to simply bathe it with an antiseptic solution. The skin healed nicely but about a month later, a fatty type lump formed just under the skin around the front of his penis. I took him to the vet who diagnosed it as a lipoma & not to be concerned. Another month on & the lump appears to be slightly bigger, but now he has slight leaking of a colourless discharge from his penis, mainly at night & which causes him to lick the area excessively. The discharge has a metallic smell to it, but is not excessive. Do you think the dog bite is relevant & should I get a second opinion about this lump please?
German Shepherd
Mr B
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
Swelling
Our 10 year-old neutered mixed breed (mostly german shepherd/harrier with some Lhasa Apso mixed in) has had two "episodes" in as many years where he exhibits excessive licking of his penis. The first time, he had a small growth that we had removed, which turned out to be non-cancerous. This second instance there is no growth, simplicef and anti-inflammatories didn't seem to have an effect, and a biopsy of some of the tissue came back as negative for cancer, non-cancer, and deep tissue infection. A urinalysis ruled out UTI. He has licked off the outer skin of his prepuce, and it's just a tender pink area that is sensitive. The soft-tissue specialist that did the biopsy (and last surgery) suggested we talk to a dermatologist, to have him tested for allergies.
