Ask Dr. Paola – Help! My Dog Has An Oversized Penis! (February 2, 2026) – Dogster

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we carry skilled recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their canine’s well being and well-being.

Whether or not you’re a brand new pet mum or dad or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that may maintain your furry pal glad and wholesome. Keep tuned for skilled steerage on a variety of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable choices and supply the absolute best care in your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Assist! My Canine Doesn’t Take pleasure in Having His Tooth Brushed!

“What’s the greatest dental cleansing product for a canine if he doesn’t need his tooth brushed? Thanks in your assist.

Variety regards, ” – Bobby

Expensive Bobby,

When a canine resists tooth brushing, it’s very similar to making an attempt to maintain a kitchen counter clear with out ever wiping it. Plaque continues to build up and, over time, hardens into tartar. In these conditions, there are dental care alternate options supported by veterinary dentistry that may assist sluggish this course of. Treats particularly formulated for dental well being have been proven in managed research to cut back plaque accumulation by offering a mild mechanical cleaning action throughout chewing. As well as, water additives and oral gels that comprise enzymatic techniques similar to glucose oxidase and lactoperoxidase may help restrict bacterial development within the mouth when used constantly, even when brushing will not be tolerated.

It is very important understand that no product totally replaces common tooth brushing, which stays the gold commonplace for preventive dental care. That mentioned, merchandise accepted by the Veterinary Oral Well being Council have demonstrated significant reductions in plaque and tartar when used as directed. If a canine reveals indicators similar to persistent dangerous breath, reddened gums, or oral discomfort, a veterinary analysis is crucial, as periodontal disease is extraordinarily widespread in canines over three years of age and sometimes requires skilled dental cleansing to revive oral well being. I hope this helps!

– Dr. Paola

Assist! My Canine Penis is Unusually Giant!

“My canine is a 1-year-old She/Poo who I simply obtained at Christmas. Is it regular for a canine that’s not neutered to have an outsized penis? I used to be shocked when Mookie was humping his canine mattress, and it got here out. It actually dragged the ground. I’ll be getting him neutered quickly, however this was stunning, and I wish to make sure that he’s okay. “ – Elizabeth

Hey Elizabeth,

I perceive how alarming that second should have been, particularly with a younger canine you might be nonetheless attending to know. In an intact male canine, what you described might be regular, notably throughout sexual arousal or pleasure, similar to humping a mattress. What’s protruding is often the penis together with the bulbus glandis, a standard construction that swells throughout arousal and might make the penis seem a lot bigger than anticipated. The dimensions change is momentary and might look dramatic, particularly in smaller or younger canines.

At one yr of age, hormones are very lively, and behaviors like humping and visual penile swelling are widespread in intact males. So long as the tissue is pink, moist, and retracts again into the prepuce inside an affordable period of time, that is thought of inside regular limits. It is very important monitor for indicators similar to extended publicity that doesn’t resolve, discoloration similar to darkish purple or purple tissue, swelling that doesn’t go down, or discomfort, as these may point out paraphimosis or irritation that may require immediate veterinary consideration.

Neutering typically reduces hormonally pushed behaviors over time, though it’s not a right away swap, and a few habits could persist if they’ve change into realized behaviors. Till his neuter appointment, maintaining him calmly redirected throughout humping episodes and making certain the realm stays clear and moist may help forestall irritation. If something like persistent swelling or problem retracting happens, looking for veterinary care promptly is essential, and if you’re not sure whether or not what you might be seeing is pressing, our Pangovet service is only one click on away that can assist you resolve the following acceptable step at once.

Finest,

– Dr. Paola

Assist! MI Witnessed a Canine Assault!

“I witnessed a canine assault earlier at present between two neighbors’ canines. I didn’t see the way it began, however I noticed the proprietor of the attacking canine and the proprietor of the one being attacked working collectively to get the attacker off the opposite one. But it surely was fairly confronting; they had been beating it with sticks, and the canine didn’t care. He was a giant bully breed, and the opposite was a sheepdog mix-looking factor and outdated, very harmless-looking; it was so terrible. The canine walked away trying shaken up, however no blood, so it appeared like the larger canine had latched on after which simply wasn’t letting go.

I’ve obtained canines myself, and I used to be horrified to see that the canine didn’t take heed to the proprietor when she mentioned cease, and that even two folks hitting it didn’t even part it, as each of my canines can be fearful of me if I mentioned STOP to something, and so they’re each large canines. Questioning, not that I hope to ever see a scenario like this once more, but when a canine is ever in ‘assault’ mode, is there any protected and good approach for an individual to cease it, apart from coaching their canine within the first place? I’m feeling fairly offended about this entire scenario on so many ranges. It was deeply unsettling. I’m simply glad each canines obtained out alive and seemingly with out life-threatening accidents.”  – Mia

Hello Mia,

What you witnessed was genuinely disturbing, and your response is totally legitimate. When a canine enters a sustained assault state, the mind is not utilizing the areas accountable for listening, studying, or responding to acquainted cues. As a substitute, the nervous system is flooded with adrenaline, and conduct turns into reflexive quite than considerate. I typically describe this as an accelerator being pressed to the ground with no entry to the brakes. As soon as that threshold is crossed, verbal instructions, ache, or shouting steadily don’t have any impact. This helps clarify why the canine didn’t reply to its proprietor and why bodily blows didn’t cease the conduct, though many canines would usually retreat underneath much less intense circumstances.

From a security and animal welfare standpoint, there are very restricted choices as soon as a struggle is in progress, and lots of well-intentioned actions can truly improve hurt. Hitting, grabbing collars, or reaching towards the pinnacle generally ends in extreme redirected bites to folks. Safer approaches concentrate on distance and safety quite than power. Utilizing a bodily barrier similar to a trash can lid, chair, massive inflexible object, or thick merchandise held in entrance of the physique may help block entry, interrupt visible fixation, and create separation whereas maintaining human limbs out of the hazard zone. That is much like inserting an object between your self and a shifting machine quite than making an attempt to cease it along with your fingers. Other interventions generally mentioned embody strategies that interrupt stability with out inserting fingers close to the mouth, similar to lifting the hind finish with a leash if somebody is educated to take action, or sometimes utilizing water or a sudden environmental interruption, although none of those strategies are predictable or really protected.

It may be useful to consider occasions like this as extra akin to a automobile accident than an ethical failure within the second. As soon as it occurs, management is basically changed by harm limitation. The truth that each canines walked away with out apparent life-threatening injury is lucky, however veterinary analysis for the older canine would nonetheless be advisable, as crush accidents and puncture wounds might be hidden beneath intact pores and skin. Feeling shaken and offended after witnessing one thing like this can be a regular response, and your concern displays considerate, accountable guardianship.

Variety regards,

– Dr. Paola