Inflammation and cleaning of the foreskin in dogs
Written by Anne |
Inflammation of the foreskin, also known as balanoposthitis, occurs fairly regularly in non-neutered male dogs. Sooner or later, almost every non-neutered male dog will experience it once or more often. It is usually not serious, but it can be unpleasant for both people and animals.
Inflammation of the foreskin
Stimulated by their sex hormones, non-neutered male dogs regularly extend the penis from the foreskin. This can allow bacteria from the outside world to enter the foreskin and cause a bacterial infection. In most cases, the bacteria are killed naturally by the body, preventing inflammation from developing. Male dogs begin extending the penis once they have reached sexual maturity, which is usually between 6 months and 1 year of age. Some dogs also have an opening of the foreskin that is too wide, for example, allowing bacteria to settle there easily and cause symptoms.
Inflammatory discharge
If the body’s natural defences are insufficient for any reason, inflammation can develop. During this type of inflammation, a smaller or larger number of drops of inflammatory discharge, such as pus or coloured fluid, may form. This discharge can remain on the penis or fall into the dog’s surroundings. The latter in particular is a reason for many people to do something about it, even if the inflammation is mild.
Minor irritation or an inflamed penis
If you suspect that something may be wrong with your dog’s penis, it is very important to visit your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will examine whether there is minor irritation for which washing with a foreskin cleanser such as Prepusol is sufficient, or whether the penis is genuinely inflamed. This is the case when clear drops of pus come from the foreskin, the penis itself is visibly red and there may even be bloody areas. In these more severe cases, foreskin cleansers alone are no longer sufficient. It is important to use products that can also kill the bacteria present so that the dog can recover.
Determining the cause
In practice, some dogs have inflammation of the foreskin more often than others. Regular cleaning with foreskin cleansers produces good results in many dogs, but it must be repeated regularly because the underlying cause is not removed. If the dog still experiences inflammation too often or too severely despite cleaning with a foreskin cleanser, removing the influence of the male sex hormones can be a highly effective treatment. This can be achieved by neutering the dog, as dogs no longer extend the penis after neutering. Unfortunately, this is not a permanent solution for every dog. A wide foreskin will naturally not become narrower after surgery. Your veterinarian will therefore examine your dog thoroughly to determine the cause of the foreskin problems before simply deciding to neuter him.
