Dog biting his penis

G
Gwendoliyne Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

I’m having a real problem with my male Chihuahua; he’s nearly 6 years old. I can’t find a solution and neither can my vet. Ever since he was a pup, about every 5 months, he bites his penis—not the outer skin, but the inside. He then ends up pissing blood, which means a trip to the vet, then meds and ointment. It usually lasts about a fortnight as long as he doesn’t start again in the meantime.

It’s just not normal for it to be so frequent (sometimes 3 times a year).

My vet advised me to have him neutered, which I’ve done, but nothing has changed...

I’m at my wits’ end. Does anyone have any idea why he’s doing this?

Thanks to anyone who can help me out.

Translated from French
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    • O
    Oursvisible6187 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi. Have you considered that it might be a parasite in the urethra?? I think it would be a good idea to get an ultrasound scan with your vet to make sure everything is okay, if you haven't already done so. I hope this helps. Kind regards.
    Translated from French
    Aiken-Ka
    Aiken-ka Icon representing the flag French
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    Evening, I’m sure you’ve already looked into what I’m about to suggest, but sometimes the causes of a behavioural issue are so "commonplace" that it’s easy to overlook them 😉 You mentioned that this seems to happen every five months... that makes me think of something recurring in your dog's environment. A change in washing powder or perfume, neighbours coming and going, or perhaps a ***** in season nearby? A change in the seasons? I know there are more than two, obviously, but maybe there's something specific about that time of year? Was there nothing in the developmental history or the case history taken by the behaviourist that might give you a lead?
    Translated from French
    ProvetoJuniorConseil
    Provetojuniorconseil Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there,

    If you’ve already seen two different vets and they still haven’t managed to get to the bottom of the problem, it might be worth speaking to a veterinary behaviourist. It doesn't really sound like it's an underlying medical issue if the first two vets couldn't find anything.

    Best regards,

    Vincent

    Translated from French
    M
    Miel clarisse Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi! Before you find the source of the problem, I'd recommend putting a little cone on him. I know it’s not pleasant for him, but it’s a way to stop him from injuring himself in the meantime. Go and see another vet to get their opinion because that isn’t normal! 🤪 Take him out more often too; maybe it’s just boredom, a bit like dogs that pace in circles or chase their tails when they want to go for a walk 😁

    Hi there,

    Thanks for the advice.

    That’s kind of you, but did you actually read my post?

    I’ve consulted several vets and even went to a specialist referral hospital.

    My dog is never alone as I’m always with him.

    He isn't on his own because he has other doggy pals.

    He used to do agility with me, so in terms of burning off energy, I think he was getting plenty of exercise 😊

    He had a serious accident because some little idiots scared him away from my house for three days. He ended up being hit by a car – broken spine and paralysed in his hindquarters.

    The surgery cost around £4,300.

    My dog is walking again now, but he’s started biting at his bits again.

    As soon as he was mobile enough to do it, he started back up, and we don’t know why he’s doing it.

    I’m not a vet, but the people I went to see certainly are.

    Even a behaviour specialist is stumped; everyone is at a loss.

    That’s exactly why I’m using a belly band on him, which stops him needing a cone, especially in this heat – at least he can drink comfortably.

    And like I wrote in my previous post, it’s at night; I’m not going to put him in a cone every single night.

    It’s a recurring issue he’s had since he was a pup.

    And no, he was weaned correctly.

    Thanks for your message 👍😊

    Translated from French
    T
    Toutoulove Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there!

    Until you find out what the issue is, I’d suggest putting a little buster collar on him. I know it’s not exactly fun for him, but it’s a way to stop him from hurting himself for now.

    - Go and see a different vet to get a second opinion because that’s definitely not right! 🤪

    - Take him out as often as possible; it might just be boredom, a bit like the way dogs pace around and bite their tails when they want to go for a walk. 😁

    Translated from French
    M
    Miel clarisse Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there, I totally understand what you're going through; my Chihuahua, who's only about 6.5 lbs, does exactly the same thing. He bites himself until he bleeds during the day. I put a bandage on him to try and stop him, but as soon as it's night-time, he's back at it again. I’ve been to see several different vets and we’ve tried pheromone treatments to calm him down, but nothing seems to work! From specialist animal hospitals to local clinics, nobody can get to the bottom of it. He’s also been neutered. It’s the same for us as it is for you: we treat it, it flares up again, we treat it, it flares up again. I really feel for you. Best of luck to you and your little one.
    Translated from French
    G
    Gwendoliyne Icon representing the flag French
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    Yes, thanks, but my dogs do get out and burn off plenty of energy, so I don't really follow what you're getting at. The issue isn't when I’m at home, it’s when I’m out. I definitely don't treat them like they're just cuddly toys. Besides, they’ve got a garden and they’re out there almost every hour. For your information, I’m already sacrificing sleep and other things for them, but I can’t survive on less than five hours a night! I’m not exactly going to quit my job, either... plus, he’s got arthritis and a heart murmur, so his exercise is limited.
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Sorry, I’m coming back to the point about exercise. I’m finding it hard to follow what you're saying. Between work and everything else, are you saying you can't really do much to tire him out during the day or night? You absolutely must get this dog out as much as possible—get up an hour earlier, go to bed an hour later, but get him out. You need to burn off that energy first before you look for any other solution. A small dog isn't a soft toy, and I don't think anyone here would agree that there's no need to exercise a Chihuahua.
    Translated from French
    G
    Gwendoliyne Icon representing the flag French
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    I’d already bought a dry food dispenser ball, but he managed to get his jaw stuck in it, so I’m going to try and find some other indoor activities to see if that helps. Yes, they’ve done several tests like blood tests, urine analysis, catheterisation and rectal exams, so he’s seen the vets quite a lot already. I really hate putting him through so much, which is another reason why I’m looking for a solution... 😞
    Translated from French
    Kikaah
    Kikaah Icon representing the flag French
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    Poor thing, he’s really done a number on himself :( You’ll need to find a way to tire him out properly (maybe hire a pet sitter, or ask friends, family, neighbours...) and give him some indoor activities at home (swap his usual bowl for treat-dispensing toys like Kongs, snuffle mats...). If it’s a behavioural issue, it should do him some good (and even if it’s something else, it’ll still be good for him ^^) What kind of tests have the vets suggested? Blood work? It could be caused by an allergy (grass, maybe? Since he’s so small, his bits must be rubbing in the grass when he walks)
    Translated from French

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