Penile Discharge in Dogs

ArticleLast Updated May 20151 min readPeer Reviewed

Determining the cause of a male reproductive discharge is directed first by the nature of the discharge—but then what? Use this algorithm to resolve these cases.

How to Perform Prostatic Wash

1. Allow the patient to urinate2. Sedate the patient3. Empty the dog’s bladder via catheter and flush with 5–10 mL of saline. Save sample for urine cytology and culture.4. Pass a polypropylene or red rubber catheter over the pelvis rim. With a digit in the rectum, position the tip of the catheter just caudal to the prostate5. Vigorously massage the prostate per rectum with the inserted digit6. Occlude the urethral opening and inject 5–10 mL sterile saline7. Advance the catheter forward a few centimeters while aspirating as much sample as possible8. Perform cytology and culture on the recovered sample and compare to urine sample.

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CHERYL LOPATE, DVM, MS, DACT, is owner of Reproductive Revolutions in Aurora, Oregon, and veterinarian at Wilsonville Veterinary Clinic in Wilsonville, Oregon. She specializes in companion animal and equine reproduction. Dr. Lopate completed a residency in comparative theriogenology at Purdue University after receiving her MS in reproductive physiology and DVM from Ohio State University.