I need to ask a question about boy dogs’ “bits”. :-[ Charlie has been licking his bits a bit more often lately. And gets more sort of tiny little erections (well, a bit of pink sticking out - have no clue what that's called :). Also, from time to time, he has little crystal like deposits on the fur around his penis. He is peeing normally. Maybe drinking a bit more than usual. Do you think the extra cleaning, visible deposits and drinking a bit more might be signs of an infection? I’m thinking to try get a pee sample and pop him to the vet in the morning….But this is the vet that I took Charlie to about a "terrible rash" that turned out to be a single mosquito bite, and the “swelling at the base of his penis” (this bulbous bit is entirely normal, apparently). Just wanted a sanity check before I have to watch a vet roll his eyes at me again.
Re: Possible infection? Riley's lipstick pops out most times he goes for a poo and several times through the day. In between cleans he can get a little 'ahem' crusty I figured that was usual boy stuff...... I was concerned recently as I thought his penis looked a paler colour and less smooth but a clean view has put my mind at rest it's the usual darkish pink and smooth so it was either my imagination or any problem has gone.
Re: Possible infection? Having only had male dogs it all sounds quite normal to me. However having been through a urine infection with these two I am a bit paranoid about it. From my experience if it's an infection he will be obviously drinking more and weeing a lot more wont be able to control it. If you are worried though just take a urine sample into the vet and ask for it to be tested for infection. You don't need to take Charlie or even see a vet for that and you won't have to at all if the tests are negative which I think they probably will be. Scott has a graze on his bits! I'm keeping my eye on it and hoping it doesn't get infected that conversation is not one I really want to have with the vet. : Jen
Re: Possible infection? Sounds perfectly normal to me Julie , male entire dogs can leak bits of semen which then dry and looks crusty ( lovely subject isnt it ) Havent seen Sams beastly thing for a while now, but I wouldnt worry if Charlie is peeing normally and it doesnt smell strong
Re: Possible infection? Was just typing a "thanks, I think I'll leave it for a while", when I read Kate's reply. The pee department does seem normal but I definitely thought "that's a bit pongy" this morning. I didn't think anything of it at the time, it was cold and the steam was rising a bit (this is all getting a bit :-[ sorry!) so I thought I maybe normally just didn't smell it. I'll pop him and a sample in, I think. Otherwise I won't stop worrying. Now, jam jar, male dog... :-\
Re: Possible infection? Same kind of thing going on with my Charlies' bits and pieces but without extra drinking. Hope he is ok Julie. x
Re: Possible infection? Sounds like your boy is just growing up, Julie!! Sometimes male dogs can get infections of the penis though, in which case the vet will give you a delightful solution to wash him with. Brace yourself, it's not always easy owning a dog!!! But what you are describing does sound pretty much normal. Oh, and good luck getting a sample!! Bones clearly thought I'd become a pervert when I tried to collect one from him and ran to the other end of the garden whenever he saw me sneaking up with the sample jar... :
Re: Possible infection? Julie , get something wide like a plastic container and then pour it into the jar, its much easier than trying to catch it in something small and getting pee running up your arms
Re: Possible infection? Didn't we have some discussion on this a while back.....butterfly net style with a plastic bag instead of a net sounded good I think..... as much as anything can sound good
Re: Possible infection? Both good thinking! Right....I'll have a bit of a plan for tomorrow morning's first pee! Oh, that will be at the front, because the back garden has building work in it. Overlooked by the whole suburban street....joy....
Re: Possible infection? Here's the thread http://www.thelabradorsite.com/forums/index.php/topic,2034.0.html but I'm afraid butterfly net was my hare-brained suggestion (no wonder I remembered it) so totally unproven. If Charlie still squats there were some good girl wee catching suggestions - enjoy !!!!
Re: Possible infection? I think it was Kerryn who suggested this, as soon as Charlie starts to pee put a small tray underneath to catch it
Re: Possible infection? Yeah don't even think about trying to catch it in something small. I use rectangular plastic tub you get Chinese take away in. Wait until they start stick it under quick and wait for the look of disgust your dog will give you. ;D It's even worse when you have to do two dogs especially if you forget which one you've done !! : and you can bet your life it'll take ages for them to decide to go. I spent ages following my dogs around with plastic tubs!!!!! Good luck
Re: Possible infection? Charlie squats, then remembers he is a boy and lifts one leg up. Sweeet. I've just told OH this is a boy thing, and he's got to do it. He said "no way, I'll be too busy with the video camera". : ;D ;D
Re: Possible infection? After 2 months of urine tests I'm proud to say I could get it straight into a urine sample pot. No mean feet. But I do hope none of you ever get the opportunity to develop that skill it's one I would've happily lived without.
Re: Possible infection? Julie I replied to this earlier but for some reason it's not,posted....now,as usual we've all gone off on a tangent.....all be it a very helpful one!i just wanted to,say that Dex had a bit of discharge and crustiness up until he was neutered....there is nothing at all round his bits now and I haven't seen the 'lipstick' on display with the goofy expression either since ;D Er,we've had to do a bathing of his bits early days when he first arrived.....I told Chris it was a boys job,he was horrified at the demo and opted for the head end......
Re: Possible infection? You all want to try having this conversation with 3 human boys ;D ;D Funny how it's ALWAYS my job - men!! :
Re: Possible infection? Thanks Angela, good to know. Well, I've just done his final pee of the evening (much later than normal as I went out this evening) and I reckon there was definitely a much stronger than normal smell. It wasn't cold like this morning....so I'll go down to the vet tomorrow. Helen - I know! The boys are not comfortable with boys' bits at all! Odd... :
Re: Possible infection? Julie I don't know if I've missed this somewhere else but did you take a sample to the vet? How did you get on? ???
Re: Possible infection? Hi Jen, thanks for asking. Yes, I took a sample down yesterday and just got it there in time to be collected to be taken back to the lab. £99! Results on Wednesday. He is just the same - as full of beans as ever, but peeing a little more than normal, drinking a little more than normal, and urine that definitely smells stronger than normal. The vet didn't think there was any point in examining him, but he'll see him on Wednesday anyway as we'll pop in for a general check up and teeth check plus a chat about wormers. I'm not hugely worried, the signs seem very mild, but feel better about having it checked out.
