Dogs suffer from several health conditions from time to time. Whenever you find your beloved Fido under the weather, it could be a stressful time for you as an owner. Now, has it ever been that you spotted a huge pinkish mass hanging from your dog’s vulva, anus, or penis?
Did it send a chill down your spine? Well, for your understanding, let’s explain that there are several reasons why your dog could be suffering from such a condition. As an owner, it is important to understand what that pink thing is that you see hanging out of your dog. Read on to know more.
Understanding the Pink Thing Hanging out of Your Dog
Do you see a huge mass of tissue hanging out of your dog? Now the question is, where does the tissue hang out from? Is it the penis, the vulva, or the anus? How does the tissue look? Is it a pink or red inflamed protruding tissue? Well, there could be three different reasons or rather conditions for the same.
It could be a case of vaginal prolapse or vaginal hyperplasia. If the pink mass is protruding from your dog’s anus and has a cylindrical or tube-like shape, then the reason could be rectal prolapse. If the protrusion is from the penis, then it could be a case of paraphimosis.
Causes and Symptoms of the Pink Thing Hanging Out of Your Dog
The causes of the pink thing hanging out of your dog could be attributed to three different conditions. Let us take a look at each one of them and also understand the causes, symptoms, and treatment for the same.
1. Vaginal Prolapse
Vaginal prolapse is a condition where the vaginal tissues swell and protrude from the dog’s vulva. The protruding vaginal tissues look like a huge mass, replicating the shape of a donut.
Because of the size of the mass, one could even mistake it for a tumor. The breeds which are more susceptible to the vagina; prolapse include German Shepherds, Boxers, Weimaraners, English Bulldogs, and Labrador Retrievers. The young females who haven’t been spayed are more prone to this condition.
Symptoms of Vaginal Prolapse
If your dog has vaginal prolapse, then she will:
- Lick her vulva excessively
- Experience pain during urination
- Have a pinkish inflamed mass protruding from the vulva
- Will not show interest in mating even if she is in heat
- May have some amount of vaginal discharge
Causes of Vaginal Prolapse
One of the main causes behind vaginal prolapse could be genetics. Estrogen stimulation is another reason for vaginal prolapse that occurs when there is an overproduction of these hormones.
Moreover, another reason why a protruding mass may grow from the dog’s vulva is vagina hyperplasia which occurs when the vaginal lining is inflamed and enlarged.
2. Rectal Prolapse
The rectum protrudes from the opening of the anus. The tissue appears in the shape of a tube or cylinder and is pinkish. The prolapse could either be complete or incomplete.
When it is a complete prolapse, the structure that protrudes from the anus of your dog is solid and tube-like. If it’s a partial prolapse, it will resemble a donut-shaped ring.
Symptoms of Rectal Prolapse
When your dog has rectal prolapse, he is likely to show any one of these symptoms or a combination of a few of them.
- Protrusion of a pinkish cylindrical mass from your dog’s anus
- Pain in and around the anus
- Straining during a bowel movement or while urinating
- Scooting quite often
- Bleeding in and around the anal area
Causes of Rectal Prolapse
One of the main reasons why your dog may develop rectal prolapse is if he strains a lot during defecation. He’ll do so more if he has frequent episodes of diarrhea or constipation. Of the several causes of diarrhea, one is intestinal parasites, which will irritate the dog’s anus and make him strain while eliminating.
The reason may even be that he has ingested a foreign object and is making an attempt to eliminate the same.
If your dog has a prostate disease or colon or rectum cancer, that will make the muscles around his rectum weak. It could lead to a rectal prolapse eventually.
Moreover, when female dogs have had trouble delivering and had to strain a lot, then they could develop rectal prolapse in the future as well.
3. Paraphimosis
It’s a condition where male dogs aren’t able to retract their penis. Though this can occur in any dog, long-haired breeds are more prone to this condition than their short-haired counterparts.
This is because there is an increased possibility of the penis getting entangled in the hair. Paraphimosis is a medical emergency, and dogs suffering from such a condition should be taken to the vet at the earliest.
Symptoms of Paraphimosis
When your male dog is affected by paraphimosis, he may have one or many of the symptoms mentioned below:
- Swollen penis that appears pinkish or purplish
- Difficulty in urinating
- Penis may appear dry, inflamed, or discolored
- An overall feeling of discomfort
Causes of Paraphimosis
One of the causes of paraphimosis is chronic licking of the penis by the dog. It may even happen if foreign objects like your dog’s hair get entangled on their foreskin.
Another reason could be humping, which is a common behavior seen in dogs. They place their forelegs around the other canine and then indulge in repeatedly thrusting their pelvis. This creates a humping motion.
Dogs mostly do it once they mature sexually, i.e., around 6 to 8 months for small dogs and around 10-12 months for their larger counterparts. Excessive humping may lead to paraphimosis in dogs.
Your dogs may even have neurological problems or trauma that could lead to this condition.
Preventive Measures and Treatment Options for the Pink Thing Hanging out of Your Dog
When you see that pink thing hanging out of your dog, you will have to check if it is from his vagina, penis, or anus. Consult a vet as well, and he will devise a treatment measure accordingly based on the condition that has caused the same.
1. For Vaginal Prolapse
Treatment: The vet will perform a physical examination and bloodwork as well. The treatment for vaginal prolapse depends on your dog’s condition. If your dog doesn’t face problems in urinating, and the vaginal tissues aren’t damaged, then the vet is likely to suggest hormone therapy.
Sometimes topical creams are prescribed as well to give your dog relief from irritation and inflammation. However, if your dog isn’t able to urinate, then it is a medical emergency, and surgery is needed to correct the issue. A urinary catheter will also be given to your dog to help her urinate.
Prevention: When your dog has had an episode of vaginal prolapse, you will have to ensure that it doesn’t recur. For this, you should cleanse the area which has been affected regularly. Padding the affected area will also help. If your dog is licking the vulva excessively, an Elizabethan collar will help.
2. For Rectal Prolapse
Treatment: If it’s the case of rectal prolapse, immediate treatment is the need of the hour. The vet mainly prescribes surgical replacement to correct the rectal prolapse. However, before pushing the rectum back to its previous position, the vet may advise medicine to lessen swelling and pain.
Till the time you take your dog to the vet, make sure you provide him relief at home. You may apply water, saline solution, or petroleum jelly on a cloth and hold it over the prolapse. This will prevent the tissues from getting dried.
After the surgery is done, the vet will advise pain medications and antibiotics for proper healing. If your dog is prone to licking the area much, an Elizabethan collar will be prescribed as well.
Prevention: The best way to prevent rectal prolapse is to stop your dog from straining when he defecates. For this, you will have to eliminate the triggers that can result in the same. Dogs will mostly strain while eliminating if they’re affected by constipation or diarrhea.
So, when you see your dog having trouble while passing stool, talk to the vet at once. If he has recurring episodes of diarrhea, that should be treated with antidiarrheal medications or even antiparasitic drugs or antibiotics. Constipation mostly requires an alteration in their diet. Adding fiber-rich food may help to eliminate the problem.
3. For Paraphimosis
Treatment: If it is in its early stage, treatment can be started at home as well. Firstly, the part of the penis which has been exposed should be cleaned well. You must also check if any long fur or foxtail has been entangled with the penis or not.
Some owners prefer applying sugar solution to the erect penis. Sugar is said to play a significant role in lessening inflammation and pain. However, it is always safe to take the dog to the vet rather than solely relying upon home remedies. Sometimes the pain gets unbearable, and medical intervention is needed.
Prevention: One of the main ways in which you could prevent paraphimosis in dogs is to shorten the hair on their foreskin. Moreover, if your dog indulges in excessive moaning, you could eliminate the problem by training him on the ‘sit’ command. If you have multiple dogs at home, try to stimulate them physically and mentally to lessen the chances of unwanted behavior.
FAQ’s
Be it vaginal prolapse, rectal prolapse, or paraphimosis; they aren’t life-threatening. Early intervention and immediate treatment will help prevent the condition from aggravating. This will save the dog from immense pain and discomfort.
Vaginal prolapse occurs in female dogs, especially the young ones who haven’t been spayed. Rectal prolapse may be seen in dogs of both sexes. However, females are more susceptible to the same when they give birth to puppies. Male dogs are affected by paraphimosis, and the condition is more prevalent in smaller breeds.
Conclusion
The moment you see a pinkish mass hanging out of your dog’s vagina, rectum, or penis, it is sure to give you panic attacks. However, by intervening quickly, taking proper care, and giving your dog immediate treatment, you could save him or her from pain and discomfort.
Dr. Lillian is a D.V.M. passionate about promoting awareness of dogs. She shares her expertise through her blogs on canineweekly.com and provides animal care services, including internal medicine, dermatology, and emergency care. Dr. Lillian is committed to contributing to animal welfare.