Why are my dogs balls bleeding

What is Testicular Swelling?

Testicular swelling occurs in male dogs with no preference to any specific breed. Epididymitis is most often found in adult-aged dogs. However, it can occur at any age. Testicular swelling is very easy to diagnose at home, as you will be able to identify the change in size in your dog’s testicles; however, you must bring your dog to a veterinarian for immediate attention in order to ascertain the cause and severity of the condition and seek treatment. There are several possible causes associated with testicular swelling.

Male dogs can suffer from orchitis, an inflammation of the testes in which one or both testicles become hard and swollen, or epididymitis, an inflammation of the testicular tube that contains sperm.

Testicular Swelling Average Cost

From 21 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,500

Average Cost

$750

Symptoms of Testicular Swelling in Dogs

The primary sign of testicular swelling is the swelling itself. However, your dog may exhibit more of the following:

  • Swollen testicles
  • Testicular hardness
  • Excessive licking of the scrotum
  • Irritated skin in the scrotal area
  • Pain
  • Fever
  • Lack of appetite
  • Change in gait
  • Change in behavior, as dog may prefer to sit on cool surfaces to relieve pain
  • Bite wounds

Top

Causes of Testicular Swelling in Dogs

  • Trauma
  • Bite wounds in any location on your dog’s body
  • Viral Infection
  • Fungal Infection
  • Bacterial Infection
  • Prostasis, or inflammation of the prostate
  • Cystits, of inflammation of the bladder
  • Testicular torsion
  • Scrotal hernia
  • Scrotal dermatitis
  • Twisting of the spermatic cord
  • Granuloma, or a sperm-filled mass of inflamed tissue
  • Neoplasia, or abnormal cell growth
  • Testicular cancer
  • Hormonal irregularities

Top

Diagnosis of Testicular Swelling in Dogs

Prompt diagnosis by a veterinary professional is important, as your dog will continue to lick the scrotal area, causing further inflammation and irritation, until you begin treatment. It is important for you to provide the veterinarian with an account of the onset of your dog’s symptoms and information on any recent trauma he may have suffered. As there are many possible causes, any insight you may have will save you time and your dog pain.

The veterinarian will start the visit by conducting a thorough physical examination, which will include palpation of the scrotal area to assess the extent of the swelling. Additionally, a complete blood count may be ordered to measure red and white blood cell and platelet counts. An elevated white blood cell count might indicate an infectious cause of your dog’s testicular swelling. A chemical blood profile will check for irregularities in blood sugar, blood protein and electrolyte levels. A urinalysis will test for excess proteins in the urine, and may reveal blood and pus, which would indicate possible prostatitis or cystitis as the cause of the testicular swelling. Further tests may include an ultrasound of the prostate, epididymis and testes in order to view a granuloma, scrotal hernia or neoplasia. If a neoplasia is found, a biopsy will be necessary in order to determine if it is benign or cancerous. Bacterial and mycoplasmal culture evaluation of semen may be helpful for diagnosis.

Top

Treatment of Testicular Swelling in Dogs

Treatment will depend upon the exact diagnosis. The prognosis for recovery depends on the cause. The easiest and most effective treatment for most causes of testicular swelling is neutering. For the health of your dog, neutering is the best option. However, in some cases and if you are intending to breed your dog, partial castration, or the removal of only one testicle, may be possible with a guarded possibility for success. For bacterial infection, antibiotic treatment is also necessary. Treatment will also include cleaning of any wounds or the irritated scrotal area and administration of antibiotic ointment.

Top

Worried about the cost of Testicular Swelling treatment?

Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.

Recovery of Testicular Swelling in Dogs

If you have your dog neutered, it is important to monitor the site of your dog’s incision and follow all post-surgical care instructions. Your dog may be given medication to help with the pain during the recovery process, and it is important that you administer dosage exactly as prescribed. Additionally, monitor the incision site to ensure proper healing and clean as instructed. If your dog suffered any other wounds, be sure to keep them clean and dry.

If you elect not to have your dog neutered, recovery and management will be more difficult, depending on the cause of the swelling. You will likely be advised to apply cold packs to your dog’s testicular area in order to ease swelling in the remaining testicle or testicles during immediate recovery. If swelling does not go down, you will need to return to the veterinarian for further treatment. Your dog may still suffer from permanent infertility due to a partial castration or the trauma of the testicular swelling itself, and the condition may not improve, depending on the cause.  

Top

Why is my male dog's private area bleeding?

Why Is There Blood Coming from My Dog's Penis? Blood may be seen coming from a dog's penis as a result of wounds to the penis or prepuce, conditions affecting the urinary tract (infections, tumors, bladder stones, etc.), blood-clotting disorders, and diseases of the prostate gland.

How do I know if my dog's balls are infected?

A dog with a newly acquired infection will often have an enlarged scrotum or an enlarged testicle and may have a skin rash on the scrotum. The dog may be infertile. In chronic or long-standing cases, the testicles will atrophy or become shrunken.

Why are my dogs balls red and bleeding?

If your dog's balls are red, this can mean he has an infection. Do not try to treat an infection yourself. Get him to a vet. In addition to the probability of infection, a red scrotum can also be caused by an inflammation of the bladder, a scrotal hernia, or testicular torsion.

Why is my dogs balls raw and red?

When a dog's testicles are red and raw, it's likely caused by them excessively licking them. Unfortunately, the reason why they're licking them so much is a little more challenging to find out on your own. It could be allergies, an infection, trauma, or even something as serious as a tumor.