dog geek Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 My five year old Afghan Hound has had pus at the opening of his sheath for almost a year now. Also, his urine is very thick and makes a smelly, sticky mess of his underfurnishings. At first the vet wrote it off as just a guy thing. After a couple of months I asked for a more active pursuit of this problem - which is when the vet first said desexing was the only option, it must be a prostrate problem. I informed the vet that since this dog had bloodlines too valuable to lose casually, I would prefer to explore other options. So he prescribed the usual antibiotics. This seemed to help - but not really; and because I other stuff happening with my life, I decided that although I didn't really like the asessment of it being a 'boy problem' and nothing to worry about, I would wait and see. Couple of months ago, I took him back and explained that he still has the pussy sheath opening, the thick urine, the more than usual licking at the area. Again, the vet insisted that desexing was the solution - I repeated that I couldn't do that, so the vet did a prostrate examination which came up as the dog having a very slightly enlarged prostrate. I then requested a swab be taken - which the vet did; the panel came back as resistant to the two common antibiotics but sensitive to three others. So the dog went on t-80 for two courses; still not cleared up so now he has had three weeks of doxcycline... and still no real result, other than the dog seems a bit livelier. Any advice? (Other than desexing; that seems to me to be unrelated to his problem and I just would like to clear up the pus and the smelly urine.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stitch Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I would be taking the dog to another vet for a second opinion. I can't understand a vet that would dismiss puss & the initial symptoms you described as 'a guy thing'. You shouldn't have to lead the vet into his diagnosis or treatment. It obviously needs more specialised treatment to try to resolve and you need to be more fully informed by a more knowledgable vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Ditch the vet and find another one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 new vet - find one that specialises or get a referral for this type of problem and area. most vets will give you the antibiotic treatment. Have his blood tested for organ function and overall health as well this should have been done first, then test his urine for kidney function. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 When I have had this issue in the past my vet said oral antibiotics were often not enough so in addition he gave me some of the mastitis cream you use on cows that comes in a syringe. I hade to squirt some up there twice a day as well as oral antibiotics and it cleared up really well. It did take a while though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyosha Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Definitely new vet time. I know some good ones about if you want to PM me. Also vitamin C. Works a treat on resistant infections, and you can't overdose. You can get sodium ascorbate at a health food shop. It has a sodium level though, so if your boy already has a high salt diet try ascorbic acid. Both are also powerful antioxidants and are good as general tonics anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 I agree ditch the vet.I have a dog who is highly pre disposed to those types of issues & the first thing our vet did was rule out prostrate issues. Medication wise the only one that worked for him was Baytril & occasionally something else. I placed him on high dose cranberry tablets which work a treat because one of the other issue is the sensitive end gets sore when they urine so they lick to soothe & it goes around & around. Like already said finding a suitable product to squirt up there is also a good start. Warm salty water can work but something with a bit of grunt is better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakway Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Sounds like what some dogs get called blanditis. (sp) Most dogs have it and just keep themselves clean. You do mean the thick creamy yellow stuff that seeps out. Just wrap his coat so he does not pee or drip on himself. I assume the dog is getting bitches in to him, and if he is getting the bitches in whelp whats the worry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 (edited) I am pretty certain there is an operation that can be done to enlarge the sheath opening. Is he being showed now? If not could you trim the fur around that area? I would probably be putting an elizabethan collar on him to make sure he isn't licking at it. Edited May 15, 2009 by puggy_puggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danois Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 We had a course of oral ABs and a topical cream and it worked well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog geek Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share Posted May 15, 2009 Sounds like what some dogs get called blanditis. (sp) Most dogs have it and just keep themselves clean.You do mean the thick creamy yellow stuff that seeps out. Just wrap his coat so he does not pee or drip on himself. I assume the dog is getting bitches in to him, and if he is getting the bitches in whelp whats the worry. No, he has never been used at stud, but his bloodlines are important enough for the breeders to want him kept entire. Blanditis, huh - so would mind giving me an idea of what this is? Is it a low grade infection type of thing? And I guess I feel that it may be the sort of thing that keeps him feeling a bit 'fluey' - tired, and a bit lethargic. Or that could just be his nature... hard to tell, he is only ever 'hyper' down at the local shopping centre, where he acts as though the Latte Crowd eat dogs for brunch... the rest of the time he is a gentle, placid boy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog geek Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share Posted May 15, 2009 I am pretty certain there is an operation that can be done to enlarge the sheath opening.Is he being showed now? If not could you trim the fur around that area? I would probably be putting an elizabethan collar on him to make sure he isn't licking at it. Interesting... but I don't think the opening is too small, certainly I keep the hair trimmed (but not shaved, I think it started from a previous vet shaving his sheath to collect a urine sample) on the sheath and I have trimmed his belly hair as much as I can get away with. I don't want to trim too much, I plan to show him (when the weather gets warmer - call me a fair weather dog devotee). I have been putting bitter drops around the part of the sheath that is a couple of centimetres back from the opening... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog geek Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share Posted May 15, 2009 Thankyou, all, for the advice! Food for thought - guess I am reluctant to go to another vet because I have been going to this one for twenty years, and so he is well used to my little quirks and crankinesses! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 I have been putting bitter drops around the part of the sheath that is a couple of centimetres back from the opening... I don't know anything about "bitter drops" nor about whatever it is that could be causing this to be a continued problem for you, but my boy had excessive discharge (don't think it was puss but holistic practitioner did think he was licking too much causing an irritation ... kind of like a catch 22 situation) and I was advised (by the holistic practitioner) to use some colloidal silver on a tissue - squeeze the sheath to open it and wipe just inside and around the outer area of it. Don't know if "bitter drops" would be the better, or colloidal silver, but the latter helped us. I acknowledge that my boy's issue sounds considerably more mild than what your boy is going through though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog geek Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share Posted May 15, 2009 Definitely new vet time. I know some good ones about if you want to PM me.Also vitamin C. Works a treat on resistant infections, and you can't overdose. You can get sodium ascorbate at a health food shop. It has a sodium level though, so if your boy already has a high salt diet try ascorbic acid. Both are also powerful antioxidants and are good as general tonics anyway. Hiya Nattynatnat what do you do with the Sodium/Ascorbic? Do you drop tablets of it down their throat? Or is it a food additive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog geek Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share Posted May 15, 2009 I have been putting bitter drops around the part of the sheath that is a couple of centimetres back from the opening... I don't know anything about "bitter drops" nor about whatever it is that could be causing this to be a continued problem for you, but my boy had excessive discharge (don't think it was puss but holistic practitioner did think he was licking too much causing an irritation ... kind of like a catch 22 situation) and I was advised (by the holistic practitioner) to use some colloidal silver on a tissue - squeeze the sheath to open it and wipe just inside and around the outer area of it. Don't know if "bitter drops" would be the better, or colloidal silver, but the latter helped us. I acknowledge that my boy's issue sounds considerably more mild than what your boy is going through though. Bitter drops are the disgustingly bitter formula used to discourage pets/children from licking or chewing stitches/fingernails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 (edited) Bitter drops are the disgustingly bitter formula used to discourage pets/children from licking or chewing stitches/fingernails. Ahhh .... thank you. Then in the absence of anything else being used to 'wipe' it with, I don't think the Colloidal Silver would do any harm. I also gave my boy a capful of it to swallow each day. Apparently it is quite therapeutic and also acts as a mild disinfectant, from what I can gather, without ill effects to the dog's skin. Edited May 16, 2009 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocolate Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Hi Dog Geek, I think your vet's first diagnosis of it being just a guy thing was spot on. The creamy stuff that comes out of the willy is normal. It tends to go a bit yellow (pussy looking as it dries) but it is just male secretions. Some male dogs you hardly ever see it but some can be terrible for it and it's just a biological difference between males on how much they discharge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Agree you should seek a second opinion from another vet. Topical treatment may help. Panalog ointment sqirted up into the sheath once a day may be one option your vet can prescribe (use the long applicator). Alternately a solution of betadine and water applied with a syringe into the sheath once a day (suggested by my own vet to help with a similar problem). You can use a saline solution too, but the betadine may be more use at the moment. Make sure you disinfect the syringe in boiling water between applications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyosha Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 (edited) Hiya Nattynatnatwhat do you do with the Sodium/Ascorbic? Do you drop tablets of it down their throat? Or is it a food additive? You should be able to get either as a white crystalline powder which is the best way to buy it - about $10 for 100g. A teaspoon twice a day might just help out. It will disolve in liquid or you can sprinkle in food easily enough - especially something a bit sticky like raw mince. Sodium ascorbate is pretty much tastless so is the easiest. Ascorbic acid has an almost citrus-like flavour and is harder to disguise. My old Affie was entire for his whole life (12 years) and his coat used to get pretty dark and sticky between baths when not tied up out of the way of any urine. And some gooby drops at the end are normal - especially when the testosterone is raging (your boy is only a few years old isn't he?) when they're young and full of the joys. Edited May 17, 2009 by Nattylou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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