Like a Sir: Movember for Dogs

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Movember has gone to the dogs.

It’s Movember and Koly is sporting a fine lime velour mustache in support of mens (and male dogs) health. Now, I know that Rule No. 3 specifically prohibits faux mustaches, but try as he might, Koly’s top lip is chronically bare (beside, he woofing ridiculously adorable does he look there? C’mon?? C’mon!!)

OK, so nobody really wants to talk about their dog’s boy business. Funnier bloggers than I have addressed the issues of health problems involving their boy dogs and their *ahem* nether regions. Imagine trying to wrassle a newf to address his delicate “chicken nuggets”…if you catch my drift. *wink wink* Try not to laugh while you read Mrs. Taleteller explain exactly why they have so many female dogs or as you read about her close encounter of the testicular kind.

Still, keeping your male dog healthy is no laughing matter and I “mustache” you to make sure you’ve got your dog covered and talk to your vet about keeping those mysterious boy parts healthy, since many many male canine health issues have very subtle symptoms – or no symptoms at all. In fact, before I researched this post, I didn’t even realize some of these things could even be problems. The more you know, right? We’ve rounded up some info on common male health issues your dog might face, plus some of the cutest mustache-y awesomeness out there to celebrate Movember like a sir.

For many years, neutering your pet has been hailed as the best way to keep them safe from men’s health problems, but recent studies may be challenging this notion.

• Some studies suggest that early neutering may increase the risk of canine cancers later in life.
• Neutering can also affect your dog’s future joint health according to other studies, as the absence of some hormones affects how bones and joints grow and form.
• There is even evidence that the procedure affects different breeds in different ways. 

Don’t get it twisted. We believe in neutering your pet. We just think that the choice of when and how to desex your pet should always be well informed and made based on the facts and what’s best for your individual dog’s health. 

 

On the flip side, unneutered males are believed to have a higher risk of prostate issues.

It is estimated that about 50 percent of intact male dogs will develop BPH (in layman’s terms: an enlarged prostate) by the age of five, 60 percent by the age of six, and 95 percent by the age of nine.  Not all cases of BPH require treatment, but when they do, neutering is the quickest and easiest way to treat this condition.

Can you imagine an infection…in your nether region?

The canine prostate is susceptible to bacterial infection (yuck) or worse, an abscess. Signs of an infection may start very subtly, perhaps with something as simple as straining to go to the bathroom. Left untreated, an abscess can develop. Ouch.

Boys will be boys and that means marking their territory.

Who knew that urine could tell you so much? There is so much you can learn about your dogs health, simply by knowing their urination habits and what is normal for them. Frequency, colour, cloudiness…it’s all a clue and your dog is counting on you to read it.

Cancer is a growing concern. Some cancers, like testicular cancer, can be prevented by neutering, but others, like prostate cancer are not hormone dependant. This means that all male dogs are at risk.

 

 

Um, that’s going to be awkward in front of company. 

Can you imagine explaining to your neighbours or in laws that your dog can’t put their boy bits away? In some dogs, physical features, an injury or a neurological problem may prevent them from fully sheathing their penis. That just sounds painful.

 

Your dog can’t tell you when their boy bits are bothered.

So frequent visual checks for irritated skin, sores, lumps, bumps and other problems are totally awkward, but also a great way to catch problems early. Teaching your dog to roll over and play dead is a great way to get them to lay still for a quick look.

 

How do you take care of your dog’s male health?

And…can you convince them to take a mustache photo for Movember for dogs? I’d love to see!