Blood and Pus at the Tip of a Neutered Cavalier's Penis
by A reader
Reader Question
My 5-year-old neutered Cavalier had some pus and blood at the tip of his penis, which my vet thought was a hygiene issue. She shaved and flushed the area. Now there's a little discharge at the tip of the sheath, and last night he seemed uncomfortable, panting, with swelling where his testicles once were. His penis doesn't come out of the sheath even when I try to retract it. He urinates and passes stool normally, walked fine, and doesn't react when I press his belly. I applied warm compresses and the swelling is gone this morning. What should I do?
Answer from Our Team
Discharge with blood and pus, plus swelling in the scrotal area, can be an infection of the sheath, a urinary infection, or a problem with the prostate. A sheath opening that's too tight for the penis to come out (phimosis) can trap discharge and lead to infection.
Please take him back to your vet. Ask about a urine test and culture, an exam of the prostate, and whether the sheath opening is narrow. Panting and swelling can be signs of pain or fever, so go the same day if they return.
Go to an emergency vet if he strains to pee and little or nothing comes out, or the swelling becomes large, hard or discolored.
See dog penis problems.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
