When the red rocket of a dog sticks out from his prepuce, it can be uncomfortable and even painful for both parties involved. Veterinary treatment should be sought immediately in a pet emergency when this occurs.
Paraphimosis is often caused by genetic abnormalities of the prepuce or penis, priapism (persistent erection without sexual stimulation), or trauma to this area.
1. Clean the area
Dogs are well known for their lack of shame when it comes to passing gas at dinner parties or exploring their litter box contents, while their penis usually remains concealed under its protective sheath called the prepuce. When your pup’s glans start poking out of this sheath, it is called Paraphimosis and should be treated immediately as it could damage the urethra and affect how they urinate.
Whenever your dog’s glans are sticking through its prepuce and fail to retract, seeking professional medical help immediately is paramount. Treatment plans aim to restore blood flow in the area, clean away necrotic tissue, and reposition its location and position – typically under general anesthesia, with surgical correction occurring as an option. However, in certain instances, this may also work without surgery.
A dog’s penis typically protrudes temporarily when excited or nervous, in particular, when engaging in “humping” other dogs or, more ominously, their favorite person. But if this protrusion lasts for an extended period or remains even after seeing their veterinarian, this could indicate Paraphimosis.
Paraphimosis requires immediate medical intervention; options range from cleaning the area with sugar paste and lubricating the glans with oil to surgical intervention. Left untreated, Paraphimosis can become severely inflamed and irritated, causing bleeding of its own and eventually leading to rupture and severe pain in, fiction, or even death over time if untreated – however, early detection makes treatment relatively straightforward: here are some key signs:
2. Apply a cold compress
Life with dogs often includes moments where their penis pops out from its protective sheath, giving it brief glimpses. Most often, these encounters are short-term; however, they may become much more serious if it stays outside its protective sheath and fails to retract on time, leading to Paraphimosis — which requires prompt medical intervention from your veterinarian.
Some dogs suffer from Paraphimosis due to congenital anomalies in the anatomy of their prepuce and penis, or it can happen during copulation. Trauma to the area, such as a fractured os penis, can also contribute to Paraphimosis; alternatively, it could result from tumor growth or conditions preventing its movement, such as urinary tract blockages or obstructions.
Pet owners can take some initial steps at home to relieve the symptoms of Paraphimosis until they visit a vet, including cleaning the affected area, applying sugar paste, and lubricating sheaths with mineral oil. While this will provide temporary relief measures, professional veterinary clinics should always seek lasting solutions to avoid future recurrences of Paraphimosis.
Your veterinarian will examine the area to identify what’s causing Paraphimosis in your dog. They may use visual inspection, ultrasound imaging, or urinalysis to pinpoint its source and devise an effective treatment plan.
Your vet may give your dog pain medication or sedation to make them more comfortable as they attempt to move the penis back into its sheath. They may use pressure, cold compresses, or gloved hands to reduce swelling and increase chances of success. If that still doesn’t work, surgery with general anesthesia may be required – this usually entails performing tension release incisions or suture techniques as needed to free areas or even placing urinary catheters while the urethra heals fully.
3. Apply a sugar paste
Pet parents shouldn’t be alarmed when their dog passes gas at dinnertime or takes advantage of litter box contents without shame; so, when his penis sticks out from his prepuce without apparent cause and doesn’t retract within minutes, most pet parents don’t take notice; most consider this normal behavior; but, if this behavior continues for too long, it could indicate Paraphimosis, which should be addressed immediately by either your veterinarian or animal hospital near you.
Paraphimosis occurs when the preputial sheath of a dog becomes tight and constricted, cutting off blood flow to that area and leading to swelling and elongation of the penis. Although not common among animals who naturally mate, manual semen collection for breeding often results in Paraphimosis; sometimes, even matted hair forms an impairing ring around its base, cutting off blood supply to it completely and creating Paraphimosis.
Sometimes the problem will resolve on its own if you can get your dog to sit still while applying pressure to the area and trying to retract its penis. Unfortunately, most pets are uncomfortable with this task and will tense their bodies further, exacerbating the problem. Furthermore, keep in mind that certain canines may have anatomical problems like narrow or asymmetrical preputial openings, which make retracting their penis difficult for them.
Paraphimosis is a treatable condition, typically resolved at home. First, it should be thoroughly cleansed with mild, non-irritating soap and water before applying sugar paste to help loosen swollen tissue. Water-based lubricants such as K-Y Jelly may then be applied. Once this step has been completed, it’s important to monitor your pup for 30 minutes post application of K-Y Jelly to make sure retraction has taken place successfully; otherwise, a veterinary professional may need to be called because severe cases of Paraphimosis can lead to permanent loss of penile tissue due to lack of blood supply.
4. Lubricate
Most of us rarely consider canines’ private parts, probably because their privates usually work just fine. Unfortunately, however, just like us humans, sometimes their rectums get into trouble too; specifically, their penis may become stuck in an outward position for too long, resulting in Paraphimosis, an emergency pet condition that requires immediate action to resolve.
Paraphimosis can affect male dogs of any age. Most often, it’s caused by “misdirected sexual activity,” like when your friend visits for coffee and the dog begins unrequitedly humping them back. But it can also happen in male dogs that haven’t been neutered, as their glans are still producing testosterone; when this happens, it often triggers ejaculation, which then leads to Paraphimosis. Physical obstructions like hair rings or tumors in the prepuce that prevent retraction, as well as trauma or neurological deficits, could also contribute to Paraphimosis.
Paraphimosis can lead to pain, reduced circulation, and even necrosis of tissue if left untreated. If caught early enough, however, your veterinarian can often reduce swelling and lubricate the area to help make retracting of the glans easier, or they can perform an aponeurosis procedure to create a larger opening that allows the glans to return into storage position more readily.
While discussing Paraphimosis with your dog may not be pleasant, you must know what steps to take if they experience discomfort in this area. Home remedies such as cleaning the area, using cold compresses, and applying sugar paste or lubricating may temporarily relieve their discomfort before their glans retracts back into its normal position; however, these are only short-term solutions, and you should seek professional advice if the glans remains stuck outward for too long; depending on its cause your vet will determine whether surgery or other forms of treatment might be necessary.
