Have you ever wondered why there is a greenish to yellowish discharge at the tip of your dog’s prepuce sometimes? That may be smegma - a common preputial discharge from dogs that is made up of a combination of dead cells, dirt or debris. Let’s find out if this discharge is normal in dogs, its purpose and how to handle them.
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What Is Smegma in Dogs
Smegma in dogs is a mucus-like discharge from the tip of the prepuce which results from glycoproteins, dead cells and debris within the preputial sheath. Smegma is usually greenish or yellowish but could vary with different dogs.
As a dog parent, you might be worried if it is normal for your dog to have such discharge, research has it that smegma is normal as long as it doesn’t occur alongside a urogenital infection. Smegma serves as lubrication and protection for the penile organ and the prepuce.
Some dogs would lick off smegma from their prepuce during self-grooming even before you notice them. But when it becomes much, you could see it drop off from the preputial opening and could smear the cushion.
“Smegma production in your male dogs is normal and does not necessarily indicate an infection”, - Dr. Catherine Barnette
Smegma is bad when it occurs concurrently with an infection such as a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a urogenital condition like bladder stones. It is paramount to keep a watch out for symptoms of these infections and differentiate it from that of smegma.
This is where the Petcube Camera comes in handy, a setup that helps you keep an eye on your dog and watch out for further signs of infection that could occur alongside smegma production, they include:
- Excessive smegma production
- Smegma color change
- Smegma with a bad odor
- Frequent licking of the prepuce
- Painful urination
- Urinary incontinence
- Abdominal pain
- Lethargy
These symptoms when accompanied by Smegma should be a reason for concern, concerned pet owners should report to the Veterinarian when any of these symptoms are observed in their dog for a proper check-up and treatment.
My neighbor’s dog was once diagnosed with a Urinary tract infection (UTI) after it had excessive smegma production that comes with a very bad odor. The dog recovered shortly after receiving treatment and the smegma production reduced drastically.
How to Stop Smegma in Dogs
Smegma is completely normal and may not be stopped but can be curtailed. One way to reduce the quantity of Smegma produced in your dog is by neutering. When neutered, the quantity of Smegma produced is greatly reduced and hardly visible.
As a dog parent, you can wipe off Smegma from the preputial opening with a clean, warm cloth. You can also talk to your Veterinarian to help with recommendations on how to reduce Smegma production in your dog.
“To get Smegma off my dog, I used wet paper towels to clean the preputial opening and keep the hair around it trimmed”, - Reddit User
When Smegma production becomes excessive, there is a likelihood of an underlying concurrent infection taking place. Stopping smegma production at this point would require a proper diagnosis to ascertain what is causing excessive smegma production. A series of tests would be conducted using urine or swab samples from the preputial opening as many cases of infection from smegma have been reported in some dogs.
In case of an emergency in the course of treatment, we can help offset some emergency fees when you use our Petcube Emergency Fund. The Petcube Emergency Fund offers $3000 coverage in emergency Vet fees and a 27% discount for reading this article and subscribing through the exclusive link.
FAQs
Is Smegma Normal in Dogs?
Smegma production is normal in healthy dogs and does not necessarily indicate a medical condition.
What Does Smegma Look Like in Dogs?
Smegma usually takes a mucoid form with a greenish or yellowish coloration in dogs.
Why Does My Dog Have Smegma?
Your dog is having Smegma because it is naturally produced to lubricate the prepuce and rid of dirt, debris and dead cells from the prepuce.
Conclusion
Smegma production in dogs is normal and would only indicate a medical condition when it happens concurrently with a urogenital condition. Smegma serves as lubricant to the prepuce and the penile organ, keeping it clean and void of dead cells and dirt. Smegma production should be reported to the Veterinarian only when it becomes more frequent, unusually large in quantity and comes along with other symptoms of a likely infection.