My Dog Is Bleeding From His Penis

Unless your dog has had an accident or been wounded, the amount you see from coming from the dog's penis will be a few drops of fresh blood. They can appear at the beginning or end of urination, but you may also observe blood dripping without urination. In the latter case, it is considered to be particularly acute canine penile bleeding.

Either way, if observe your dog bleeding from his penis and you have not noticed a problem until now, look out for other symptoms of disease such as:

• More or less frequent urination
• Signs of pain or difficulty urinating
• Listlessness
• Loss of appetite

The causes of a dog bleeding from his penis will determine the symptoms which present. They can be both physical and behavioral, so we need to be closely observant of any changes.

If your dog bleeds from the penis, take them to the vet as soon as you can. Providing the vet with as much detail as possible regarding your dog's symptoms will help in their diagnosis of the problem. We would like to stress that only a vet can determine the exact cause for the dog bleeding from his penis and prescribe the necessary treatment. Do not try to treat canine penile bleeding with home remedies.

When unrelated to trauma or injury, blood coming from a dog's penis is often related to inflammatory diseases or infections. These are caused by diseases of various origins. They include:

• Urinary tract diseases: affecting the urethra and bladder.
• Reproductive diseases: affecting parts of the reproductive system, especially the prostate gland.
• Blood disorders: a hematological reason result in penile bleeding.
• Cancers and tumors: can originate almost anywhere in the body.
• Other infections: infectious diseases not directly related to the urinary tract.

The dog's urethra forms part of both the urinary and genital systems. Disorders in one can often interact with or affect the other. Systemic diseases can also result in penile bleeding as a symptom. In the following sections we will explain the conditions in each system that can affect a dog and cause penile bleeding.

Canine cystitis is a very common cause of penile bleeding that originates in the urinary tract. Related urinary tract infctions (UTIs) or bladder stones can also cause a dog to bleed slightly from his penis. Other possible problems in the urinary system include fungal or viral infections, diseases of the kidney, urethral prolapse or the presence of tumors.

Treatment of urinary tract disease in dogs

To see whether the blood coming from the dog's penis is caused by a urinary tract disorder, the veterinarian will first take a urine sample. As in human medicine, a collection cup is used us normally used. If this method is not possible or the sample unreliable, the vet may take a direct sample from the bladder.

Infection is detected by the presence of bacteria and abundant lymphocytes (white blood cells that fight infections). If this is the cause of hematuria (i.e. blood in the dog's urine) the vet will prescribe antibiotic treatment. If the symptom is related to a different disorder in the urinary system, the vet will recommend the appropriate course of treatment.

Bladder urinary or kidney stones in dogs may pass on their own. The veterinarian may recommend a specific diet to help eliminate the stones. In serious cases which cause a significant blockage, surgical intervention may be required. It is also possible that the cystitis is idiopathic. In these cases, the problem may resolve on its own, but veterinary analysis is essential.

The prostate is a male reproductive gland that surrounds the urethra. It secretes a fluid that help with the mobility of sperm. There are three conditions that can lead to prostate enlargement, which is often the cause for a dog bleeding from his penis. These are:

• Prostatitis: this is a bacterial infection affecting the prostate that can cause pain, difficulty urinating, and blood in the urine or bloody discharge or pus from the dog's penis.
  
  
• Prostatic neoplasia: this is the abnormal growth in gland tissues, which is often cancerous. For example, canine prostate cancer can cause bleeding from the dog's penis, as well as traces of blood in urine and stools. For further symptoms and treatment options, take a look at our article on prostate cancer in dogs.
  
  
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): this is an enlargement of the prostate that is most often the cause for penile bleeding related to the dog's reproductive system. It is linked to the production of testosterone and often occurs in older male dogs that have not been spayed.

Since BPH is hormonally dependent (caused by testosterone), the disorder appears most commonly in non-neutered males of middle and old age. 95% of sexually intact male dogs will eventually develop this condition if they live nine years or more, but more serious symptoms such as penile bleeding doesn't always occur^[1]. This may be accompanied by difficulties in urination and defecation. If your dog suffers from such symptoms, the veterinarian will consider castration or sterilization as treatment.

Diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia in dogs

The diagnosis prostate conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia, begins with the vet carrying out a rectal exam. Palpation allows them to determine the size, position and consistency of the prostate. If it is enlarged, this will explain why the dog has been bleeding from the penis. To determine the exact prostatic condition the dog is suffering from, other diagnostic methods such as a radiography, ultrasound or biopsy may be used.

Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in dogs

Spaying or neutering is most often the treatment recommended for BPH that causes clinical symptoms. This is considered the most effective way to remove the stimulus that causes prostate enlargement. This helps reduce prostate size and associated problems such as bloody discharge. There are also other advantages to neutering male dogs, except in some specific cases related to behavioral problems.

It is also important to consider the risks of operations on older dogs, although this is possible if prior tests show that it is safe. In cases where castration is not recommended there are medical options such as hormonal suppression drugs. Your veterinarian will provide you with more information regarding treatment options and recommendations suited to your dog.

Other reproductive diseases causing penile bleeding

If you observe blood coming from your dog's penis, it is important to know this is not always of internal origin. It is also possible there is an external problem with the penile shaft or the prepuce (i.e. foreskin). Balanoposthitis is a relatively common issue in dogs which can result in this symptom, causing around 20% of penile lesions in dogs^[2].

Balanoposthitis in dogs is an inflammatory condition whereby the penis and foreskin become inflamed. Prolonged exposure of the penis can cause it to dry out and damage the tissues, resulting in bleeding. It has many causes, including infections, foreign bodies and trauma.

Similar conditions include phimosis and paraphimosis in dogs. In these conditions, the penis is unable to retract into the foreskin. This can be acquired or genetic. Treatment may require a surgical prepuciotomy to restore retraction of the penis.

Learn more with our article explaining why a dog's penis is stuck out.

If a dog is suffering from a blood disorder, it can cause blood to come out of various orifices. The penis is no exception. The mechanisms which allow for normal blood creation, movement and other functions can become damaged due to genetic, acquired or idiopathic factors. For example, blood clotting is an important function which can have deleterious repercussions on the dog's health if it does not occur normally.

Some blood disorders in dogs which may result in canine penile bleeding include the following:

• Thrombocytopenia: a low platelet count as a result of immune-mediatd diseases, infections or even as a side effect of drugs can interrupt the clotting mechanism. This can result in spontaneous bleeding which may occur internally, but result in blood coming from the penis.
• Vitamin K deficiency: vitamin K is essential for hemostasis, i.e. the constriction of blood vessels and forming of clots to stop bleeding. If the dog has a significant deficiency, it can result in profuse bleeding.
• Hemophilia: another condition affecting the ability to from clots. It is more common in male dogs, so it is more associated with penile bleeding than female dogs bleeding from their vagina.
• Von Willebrand disease: a genetic disorder which interrupts the mechanisms necessary for platelet adhesion. Can result in excessive bleeding of minor injuries, including those on the penis.

While these blood disorders may cause blood to come from a dog's penis, there are systemic issues which won't only affect the penis. They may also result in profuse bleeding to the penis itself, but this can equally happen on any part of the body.

If the dog has a cancer or tumor, it can result in bleeding from the penis. This can be on the penis tissue itself or associated genitourinary organs. This can happen whether it is benign or malignant, but it will depend on the location of the cancer. For example, if there is a tumor on the kidney, it can damage tissues and blood can enter the urinary tract.

One important type of tumor in dogs which can affect the penis is a transmissible venereal tumor (TVT). It is a unique type of infectious cancer which primarily affects dogs. It is venereal because it is transmitted during sexual intercourse. Fortunately, it is very rare. However, if you see any symptoms, it is important to take the dog to a veterinarian as it can be very painful for the dog and fatal in some cases.

There may be other infections which are not directly related to the genitourinary system which results in bleeding in dogs. Theses can be systemic bacterial, viral or fungal infections such as sepsis, otherwise known as blood poisoning. However, in these cases, the penile bleeding will not be a primary symptom. If the dog has sepsis, their body will start to shut down and they can do into toxic shock. These symptoms will likely be observed much sooner than canine penile bleeding.

Learn more about this debilitating disease with our article on the causes, symptoms and treatment of sepsis in dogs.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to My Dog Is Bleeding From His Penis, we recommend you visit our Reproductive system diseases category.