PROLAPSE OF THE URETHRA

The prolapse of the urethra in the English bulldog usually occurs in the pubertal period, during the so-called "hormonal storm" that causes so many annoyances to our dogs. Bulldogs with a strong sexual charge are most affected, those in which sexual manifestations are very evident, up to the point of masturbation. Prolapse of the urethra is often associated with genitourinary infections and stones. In the bulldog there is a strong breed predisposition to this pathology, which seems to be caused by the increase in abdominal pressure, due to the inspiratory effort typical of their breathing. Urethra prolapse is noticed because the bulldog loses blood from the penis and tries to lick itself frequently. Examining the penis, at its apex, a very red, sometimes even purplish, donut-shaped swelling is noted. Veterinarians usually prefer to proceed surgically by also suggesting the dog be neutered to prevent the dog's hormones from continuing to procure it. In my personal experience, I have noticed that it is not always necessary to operate a bulldog (indeed it is very little) nor to sterilize it: you need to be careful in treating the disease and a little patience. None of the dogs I followed needed surgery or relapsed. Treatment: it is extremely important to prepare a systemic antibiotic therapy, an accurate local disinfection, but above all to keep the penis greased with petroleum jelly. When the hormonal storm is over, in most cases everything will return to normal.