Male dog question - Vet UPDATE !

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Ok.. this is my second question about males dogs here.  I feel so clueless, Oliver is my first male dog.  I had posted a while ago about that at times I noticed that Oliver's pee-pee was very swollen and the glands on the side of his pee-pee were swollen as well.  The general DK response was that this was normal and that this happens when male dogs either have to go to the bathroom or excited. 

 

Now I have another similar question....  Several weeks ago when I was home on lunch to let the doodles out, I let Oliver out first and the just stepepd outside the door and just stood there with his back hunched like a cat and a real strange look on his face.  He kept looking in the area of his pee-pee, I stood there and watched for a bit, once he moved his head I saw his pee-pee was huge (no red rocket present) just very, very, very swollen and the glands were like the size of two golf balls (he is neutered).  He looked to be in such pain.  I slowly walked him around a bit and it finally went down and back to normal and Oliver was off running around.  I chalked it up to a fluke but kept it back in my mind to ask the vet when he goes in for his check up. 

 

So today when I was home for lunch the same thing happend, hunched back, strange look on his face, does not move, etc. so I walked him around a bit, the swelling went down and he was fine.

 

Is this normal for male dogs ???  Oliver is close to 80 lbs, he will be 2 years old in June and is neutered. 

 

My second question regarding male dogs - LOL (I feel so silly asking this).  Is it normal NOT to see his red rocket ?  I have only seen it once and that was when he was about 4-5 months old just prior to his neutering and I have never ever seen it since.  I have had many friends and family with male dogs and of course at the most unappropriate times the rocket would make a appearance.   Do you think that this all could be connected some how or is it a condition he has???  Oliver has a check up on the 28th which I will be sure to tell the vet about this but I just wanted to see if I could get some information from all you knowledgeable male doodle owners - or am I just simply nuts anking these questions ?  :}

 

UPDATE:  OK.... I took everyone's advise and took my boy to the vet - I needed piece of mind.  His vet examined him and she said that since it happend infrequently and within a minute or two the swelling is down and he is acting normal she said that it just might be his anatomy.  She asked if there was any blood, mucus, puss, or if he could not pee - to which I said there is nothing and he pees like a race horse :)  But he still does not lift his leg -lol he kind of stretches and pees.   He got a clean bill of health and off we went.   He also said that it is totally normal for his rocket NOT to ever come out - some dogs do and some dogs don't.  I now am relieved - its time to have my glass of wine - Cheers everyone and thanks for all your help and guidence - I will get this male dog thing down sooner or later ( I think females are just a tab bit easier - LOL).

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Don't feel nuts for asking questions! You have the health of your doodles on mind so I don't think anyone is going to judge you about the type of questions you are asking. You should know by now there are no secrets on DK, LOL.

In any case, I would at least call the vet's office to get their idea instead of waiting till the 28th. The swelling and hunching does not sound normal. Monty just turned 2, was neutered when he was 5 months old. I've seen his red rocked before and after the neutering on a few occasions, but not too often. No swelling or hunching. Let us know what you find out, please.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Thanks Jarka..... The past two questions I posted were about Ollie's pee-pee, I did not want anyone to think I was obsessed with the functioin of his penis - LOL  believe me I have much better things to do -LOL :)   My only concern is that my doodles are happy and healthy.  I'm not one to wait until something becomes a full blown emergency then rush to the doctor, I would rather nip it in the bud ASAP :)

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

His uncomfort only last as long as his pee-pee is swollen, once it goes down he is off and running, but for those few moments it seems as though something just is not draining???  He is crated during the day.... I'm thinking maybe since he is curled up things get backed up.  His crate is large enough for him to stretch out etc.

 

When I came home from work and went thru the same routine.... he is fine, no swelling and right now he is chasing Sasha around the back yard.  I am going to call his vet and see what she has to say.

 

I'm glad that the rocket appearance... actually the rocket non-appearance is normal --  phewww... that is one question answered.  Thanks for all your input and help guys... I appreciate it :) and will keep you posted.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Just checking on Ollie, hope he's ok!

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Thanks Janie - see my update post - he is OK.  I'm so glad because now Ollie can see you and Jack on Sunday and  get his run on - LOL :)

[L.M.]

I agree with everyone that something seems a bit off.  My Seamus is also 2 and neutered.  I have seen his "red rocket" fairly often when he gets excited, especially when he starts playing with our other dog, Stella....Even though Oliver is neutered, his "rocket" can still come out at times...(lol I'm sorry.. just laughing as I'm reading what I'm typing).

When Seamus is "excited" though, he never hunches or seems to be in pain, so I would definitely be a bit worried if Oliver seems uncomfortable.  Hope he starts feeling better!! 

[Lynda Kamrath]

I would say the hunching and swelling is not something normal.  I have had several male dogs (all neutered) and seen plenty of red rockets at various times, but no swelling.  I would think some kind of constriction that should be checked out.  Could also be some kind of irritation with his anal gland, but you should not have swelling down lower with that.  Hmmmm?  Worth getting checked.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I have not seen this in my current male dog, but I saw it often in my last dog.   A neutered male, with  huge erection, he would hunch over, walk around in circles, stand still, and it would go away.   His red rocket was not visible but the swelling was. 

I remember this so much because my young sons at the time found this hysterical. 

All was well. He lived to an old age, urinated fine, and showed no other signs of illness.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Thanks so much Joanne for your input, this does not seem to be a common thing in all dogs but a few posts to this discussion show that this has happened to other dogs as well.  I had the vet check him and my boy is fine :)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Good news.  Also, the dog I mentioned above never lifted his leg.  Good thing too, he was such a big boy I think he felt he would fall over if he did lift that leg.

He ran along side with his brother ( not related) and that dog did lift his leg.  I suppose, it is just a matter of preference.  As long as they go, and go where they are supposed to go, well then that is all we could ask for.

Again, I am glad everything is okay.  Just an FYI, the dog I mentioned swelled off an on all his life so I predict you will see this again.   Hope you don't have young boys because they just go nuts with the jokes when this happens. I think that was the worst part of it all.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Joanne, I don't have children - just my two fur kids.  I can see how the human boys would think this is funny - LOL.  And since Ollie is my first born son - I am still in the learning process of the male dog anatomy :)  Thanks so much for helping me with this.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I agree with everyone else on the hunching and swelling.  As far as the red rockets go I think it just varies by dog.  We have never seen Cubbie's but Ollie's makes a frequent appearance it sometimes pops out when he is pooping which is pretty funny and on occasion when he is just sitting there relaxing.