Preputial Discharge

Preputial discharge is common in the male dog. In health, it is referred to as smegma, and represents an accumulation of sloughed cells and glycoproteins within the preputial sheath. Its amount and color vary between individual patients. Preputial discharge is considered normal when it is an incidental finding on physical examination and when patients do not present with concurrent urogenital complaints. However, it is important to recognize that preputial discharge can be pathologic. Most often, abnormal preputial discharge in dogs is the result of balanitis, inflammation of the glans penis, or balanoposthitis, inflammation of the glans and prepuce. Mild cases can self-clear; however, they may require at-home care to manage hygiene and to prevent recurrence. Moderate cases may be triggered by foreign bodies within the preputial cavity, penile or preputial trauma, and neoplasia. Pathologic preputial discharge may also result from lower or upper urinary tract disease or prostatic disease. This chapter emphasizes the most common causes of preputial discharge, including hemorrhagic discharge as well as a preliminary, basic approach to case management.