The phone call started in an ordinary way, “Dr. Randolph, I need to make an appointment for Gus.”
A quick glance at Gus’ file in our computer system showed he wasn’t due for a routine visit, so I inquired of his owner about possible problems as a reason for the visit.
“He has a yellow-green discharge from his penis.”
I closed the appointment book, and pressed F1 on the keyboard, sending the computer software back to the Main Menu.
“No appointment needed,” I explained to Gus’ master. All male dogs have a yellow-green discharge. It’s actually coming from the sheath, not the penis. Quantity can vary from undetectable to a drop, but it’s all normal.”
The material, which looks much like pus to the naked eye, is actually made of cells and lubricant fluid in the prepuce that surrounds the penis inside its protective sheath. It has a pungent, acrid smell and will sometimes be noticed where a male dog has lain.
Discharges from the sheath with other characteristics, such as blood, or a large volume of material that resembles pus, would be a cause for concern.
As for me, I’ll just have to wait for a big, sloppy Gus-kiss until another day.
See you tomorrow, Dr. Randolph.
Your comments are very helpful. Bomber our 2 1/2 yr old Rottweiler has not been fixed yet but I was also wondering if when we stud him out will it stop?
Sorry, unrelated. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
My 2 year old unaltered golden retriever is leaving drops of this discharge everywhere in my house. I had another male dog prior that would only have a few small drops occasionally when sleeping. This is completely different, he is very active and paces around the house all day long, when scrubbing the floors I notice hundreds of these drips everywhere, I have to wash my floors often but he still manages to cover the floor in it within a few days. Its also somehow on the walls of a hall way, possibly from him turning fast while running? I know he is not urinating in the house since I am home with him and he is crated when alone. What I am getting at is that, while I know this is normal in male dogs, it does seem that he is producing an excessive amount. Is there a reason? Could it be how active he is, or that he isn’t fixed? I really would like to keep him unaltered but would having him fixed slow the production of this discharge? Its been like this since he was around 8 months, but seems to be getting worse. Also he doesn’t have any of it on his fur surrounding the area and there is no noticeable smell, he keeps himself clean so I am not thinking this could be an infection of any sort.
I agree with you. It sounds excessive. Make an appointment to have him examined. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
I have the same exact thing with my intact male golden..He’s 2 1/2 years old and I thought it was normal, but I guess Ill be taking him to the Veterinarian.Thank you!
Please re-read the article. Unless there is a foul odor or a particularly large volume of discharge, it IS normal. However, it can never hurt to have his doctor check him over. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
Reading the comments on this article have been helpful. My one year old male (neutered) lab has had discharge since he was 4 or 5 months. Vet hoped neutering would solve it; it did lessen somewhat but still present frequently, and he does not lick it much like I think other dogs do. My partner is unwilling to keep him if we can’t resolve the discharge (ruins the furniture, etc). Our vet wasn’t familiar with the issue like you seem to be; they had us try elimination diet, Benadryl, Cytopoint injection, none with lasting effect. He went on doxycycline for kennel cough in the fall and the discharge disappeared! … until about 2 weeks after the abx course ended. The vet did a culture on the discharge and found staph, E. coli, all sorts of bacteria; said doxycycline wasn’t enough and had us do a course of cefpodoxime ($$$!!). Again, discharge all but disappeared until about 2 weeks after course ended. Vet’s last idea was to have a scope done to check for foreign object; went to the specialist for that but she didn’t think we should waste our money as she didn’t think that was the issue. She did an ultrasound and found nothing. Questions for you: based on the history, is there anything you would recommend? And is it safe to have a dog on an antibiotic like doxycycline long term (perhaps 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off for instance)? Our vet mentioned having dogs on it long term for gingivitis, but they don’t want to approve a prescription for our dog’s issue.
This is a fascinating case, and, I’m sure, quite frustrating for you and your pet’s doctor. There is no way to justify using systemic antibiotics for this condition, the risk of creating antibiotic resistance is just too high, and indefensible. However, I’m thinking your veterinarian could make you a topical wash to flush the sheath cavity, maybe weekly, or every other week, or monthly (try various intervals and do it only as often as you have to in order to control the discharge). Please write back and let me know if you try that and how it works. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
My dog has the same exact problem. We have treated him multiple times to the point where the vet said,”it may just be who your dog is”. It’s fine with my if it’s not harming him. What solution can I use to flush him out regularly at home? Will just warm water do the trick?
It doesn’t sound like it’s a “problem.” In the article, I’ve described what normal discharge looks like. If it looks like that, you can just leave it alone. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
My 6 month old mixed breed pit has the same issue except he has a bad odor. When I got him 3 months ago he had tape worms. Is this related in any way? He is on meds for the tape worms..
Any bad odor should be checked by his veterinarian. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
Hi,
I’ve noticed that my male dog has discharge. I have wood floors and it looks almost like a mint green. I’ve seen conflicting information on whether or not that is a sign of a UTI and I really can’t afford an unnecessary vet bill. I’m considering buying an at-home uti test kit to find out. Does this sound normal or do you think it warrants a vet visit.
Thank you,
Melanie
If I knew what test results were going to be in advance, I’d never need a laboratory again. If he’s not having any symptoms and only discharge, you COULD take a wait-and-see approach, but examination and testing is the only way you’ll know for sure. Sorry I couldn’t do more remotely. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
hi my husky puppy so active playing running ..like all normal’s dogs but i have problem …from hes penis going out some sometimes white…sometimes yellow staff…and a lot!!!!and its going about few month..its was stopped for some time but after few days again starting …dnno what to do!!! please help
If it seems to be more than what we’ve described in the article he will need to see his doctor. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
My 11 year old GSD mix was at the vet yesterday when I noticed that the tip of his penis looked…. odd. It was out because he was excited, and he has no problem putting it all the way back in. Our vet said that his actual penis had turned inside out, rolled up like a sock. He wasn’t bothered by it in the least. The doc fixed it, sent him home with preventative antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory. I noticed a few minutes ago that it was out, and rolled again. Like I said before, he has no problem putting it all the way back into the sheith, but the penis itself is still rolled. At this point, I can’t get it back out to check it again. I’m about to take him for a car ride, see if that…. works… just so I can see if it is still rolled. I can not remember what our vet called the condition, was wondering if you would be able to give me some additional information.
Your pet’s doctor probably used the term “priapism,” but, I’m afraid I can’t picture what an inside-out penis looks like, rolled up like a sock, so I’m afraid I’m not much help. Your local veterinarian should be able to guide you. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
Hi, my Labrador Chad, is about 8 years old. The last week or so he has been licking his genitals way frequently, to where we noticed he had licked all the hair off around his genitals. This was a wk or so ago. After that his licking slowed down, until the last 2-3 days, & he now has started licking again not as frequently, but enough to notice. I noticed today a milky green pus coming from his genitals. Is this normal? Or should I take him to the vet. He just got off his antibiotics about 20 days ago because he had a toenail that was infected…other then that full check up went great. But he just seems like he’s not feeling good, lethargic also, other family members noticed also, but we chalked it up to 4th of July fireworks & that’s why he was hanging out in his room all night which is abnormal…just worried about the boy any suggestions? Should I take him to the vet, or if not any thing I can get him medicine OTC stuff that could help?thank you for your time!
Your description of the discharge sounds normal, but the licking is not. He should see his doctor again. Thank you for reading, Dr. Randolph.
Hello, 2 weeks ago my dog seemed to have blood in his sheath, which is usually yellow and without smell. I though he might hurt his penis because he fell down to a ditch, and it was just one time the discharge looked red. However today he had more of this pinkish/redish discharge and it has a bad smell, he seems fine otherwise, eating, walking and playing. But he has been licking more than usual, should I be concerned ? I am booking a vet appointment however I wanted to know your experience. Thanks in advance
Being unable to examine him it’s impossible for me to say. Please write back after he has his examination and let me know what was found. Thank you for reading, Dr. Randolph.
The vet told me he has a UTI, started treatment but he still has some yellow discharge and keeps licking. Will take a urine sample next week to see if it clears up.
Thank you for the update, please let us know that he clears up and is fine. Thanks again for reading, Dr. Randolph.
We just got. 10 week old Great Dane. He is producing the yellow pus. Is this normal at such an early age?
If it is, indeed, pus, it is not normal. However, to the naked eye, normal sheath discharge can look like pus. If there is any discomfort, or if your pet begins to be ill, he should see his doctor right away. Otherwise, take him in when his next regular puppy vaccination visit is and be sure to inquire of his veterinarian then. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
Hello and thank you in advance for your response. My 13-year-old beagle/Jack Russell Oscar had been licking for a day or two. We thought maybe he got tree sap on his belly, so we started to wipe him off with a damp towel. My wife noticed some thick, off-white substance that had the consistency of toothpaste. Using her fingers on the outside of the sheath, she squeezed as much out as possible and removed it with a damp paper towel. Overall, I estimate there were about one to two tablespoons worth. I’ve read about sheath discharge and wanted to make sure that it wasn’t anything more serious. Ten minutes later he seems to have stopped licking, so I’m hoping this has relieved any discomfort he had been feeling. Thank you again!
Whatever works. If it relapses I’d definitely have his doctor take a look at it. Thanks for the story, and for reading, Dr. Randolph.