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.
My neutered 9, almost 10yr old Lab mix is presenting with more discharge than usual. He isn’t straining when he peeing but his penis doesn’t come out of the sheath. The vet tried to manually expose it but was unsuccessful. Have you experienced this before and should it be cause for concern?
Ask your pet’s doctor whether urinalysis and urine culture might be appropriate. Did he express concern? He did the physical examination, he’s in the best position to know. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
Our 11 month maltipoo has the discharge but he had diarrhea last night and slept all day today. Should we see a vet?
Yes.
Hi,
My dog is a neutered, 9 year old schnauzer/Jack Russell mix. I noticed yesterday that discharge was coming out of his penis. It also looked a little pink around that area too. I noticed it again today while he was licking it. He doesn’t seem to be in any pain, his pee is normal, and his penis isn’t pink when there’s no discharge. Ive also NEVER noticed this and feel like this is a recent thing. Is this cause for concern? Thanks in advance!
A normal penis SHOULD be pink, and the discharge, if it’s like we’ve described in the article, is normal. If anything changes, be sure to see your pet’s doctor. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
Hi!
My dog had this pretty normally after he pees, however, we went on vacation, leaving him with a friend and when we picked him back up he produces this in copious amounts now. No abnormality. He just licks a lot now?
You could always have your pet’s doctor take a look at him. It would make you feel better. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
We just had to put our girl down… and I just noticed my boy had a lot of this yesterday. So, of course, I’m paranoid and want to make sure he isn’t dying too. THANK YOU for this article!
You are most welcome. We are so sorry for the loss of your girl. Thank you for reading, Dr. Randolph.
My dog had a a good amount around his penis and in the fur around the area, also there was a clump that was dried right at the pee whole. I noticed it after a hike and went home to show my mom and noticed he also had a tick sort near it. Since seeing the tick it made me think it could have been a defensive mechanism his body did? but im unsure and need to know if i should take him to the vet for this? i have a picture its not very good but you cant still see how it was if you could reach out that would be amazing. thank you so much!
The tick is unrelated to the sheath discharge. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
I clean it of each time it grosses me out! Thank you
How long can this discharge last? I noticed it for a week now. I clean him off as much as I can when I see the discharge, but at any point should I be concerned? It’s not a lot but it’s enough to get on his hair/fur found around the penis that once it has dried it hardens the hair like hair gel was applied.
Because it’s normal you can expect it to last a lifetime. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
Hey Dr Randolph, my 5 year old neutered Keeshond has been having pinkish discharge from his penis, very pungent odor, urine was tested already and no uti or anything out of the ordinary was found. Already went through a course of antibiotics and it’s still there. Sometimes it drips, but if I smell it before I see it and gently press a tissue against his penis, I’ll see the pink discharge on the tissue.
Was the discharge cultured? Your dog may be one of those whose normal penile discharge is just VERY objectionable. Some have an acrid smell that one can hardly wash off. Get that culture, if it’s negative, you probably have to learn to live with a little odor. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
So glad I found this article. I saw what is described above on my pup this morning In the car. After reading I went to take a look one more time and it was gone! Phew.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.