Blue balls refer to painful and aching testicles after arousal that does not lead to orgasm. Can dogs get blue balls just like us humans? Let us find out.
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Blue balls are medically known as epididymal hypertension. It happens when you have extended arousal without release. It causes increased blood in the testicles for a temporary period.
This condition can affect the genitals of a male adult. It’s not serious, but it can cause pain, heaviness, and discomfort in your testicles when you remain aroused for a long time.
Despite what the name suggests, your testicles will not turn blue in color!. If you notice any actual blue or purple color on the testicles, it is definitely not a good sign. You need to consult your doctor immediately.
The article discusses blue balls and testicular infections in a dog. Read on to know more.
Why Do Your Balls Get Blue?
When the male sexual organs are aroused, the blood vessels in the penis and testicles expand and allow a larger blood flow. The blood causes the penis to expand and become stiff, leading to an erection.
The blood is released after orgasm or because of decreased arousal. But sometimes, you remain aroused without getting a release in the form of an orgasm.
This can cause too much blood to stay in the genital area and finally causes pain and discomfort. The condition is known as blue balls or epididymal hypertension.
Blue balls are often caused by excessive accumulation of semen without ejaculating. The backup fluid expands the epididymis causing heaving, discomfort, and pain. However, blue balls are different from other types of scrotal pain because they do not create any discomfort in sex.
Remember, despite the name blue balls, it will not cause your testicles to turn blue. But if you find blue or purple color with acute pain and swelling in your genital area, then consult your doctor immediately.
Can My Dog Have Blue Balls?
Does epididymal hypertension occur in animals with male genitals? Can dogs get blue balls?
Dogs cannot have blue balls, at least not for the same reasons as humans because their way of erection is different than human beings.
However, a dog’s balls can turn blue, purple, or red because they might have a condition such as testicular infection or testicular tension.
There are two significant testicle-related issues that can lead to blue balls in the dog. The first one is a testicular infection, and the other is torsion.
Remember, all testicular problems are 100 percent preventable, but they may require neutering your dog. Neutering a dog has both pros and cons. But the pros usually weigh more than the cons.
Testicular Infections In Dogs
Testicular infection in the balls of a dog is medically called Orchitis. It causes inflammation in either one or both the testes. If only one ball is infected, it is known as unilateral testicular infection. If both balls are infected, it is called bilateral testicular infection. Orchitis usually occurs when bacteria or fungi enter the testes through urine or blood.
Clinical Signs Of Testicular Infection
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Swollen Testes
- Pain
- Blue, red or purple discoloration
- Loss of appetite
Diagnosis
- The veterinary doctor analyses the blood and urine of your dog to determine the presence of any bacteria or pathogen.
- The doctor does Brucella Canis serum tests. B.Canis is the common cause of infection in testes.
- The doctor does ultrasonography and scrotal radiographs to check the extent of infection and determine whether one or two balls are affected.
- The doctor inserts a syringe with a needle and takes aspirate from your dog’s balls for analysis.
Treatment
Veterinary doctors use antibiotic therapy to treat Orchitis in most cases. Your doctor will perform culture testing to know which antibiotic suits your dog.
Additionally, he might prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to decrease inflammation and swelling. If your dog has a fungal infection, then your vet will give them an antifungal cream or medicine.
Sometimes the medical treatment will not completely cure the infection in your dog. So neutering is the best option to keep your dog away from testicular infections.
It will decrease the period of treatment and the costs involved. Additionally, it will prevent the infection from spreading to other organs.
Testicular Torsion In Dogs
Testicular torsion is a condition when the dog’s ball rotates around the spermatic cord. This rotation cuts off the blood supply to the testes.
Symptoms
- Vomiting
- Swollen testicles
- Increased body temperature
- Lethargy
- Abdominal and scrotal pain
- Bluish discoloration in gonads
- Scrotal pain
Diagnosis
- The doctor does blood analysis to check for infections and see your dog’s complete blood count and biochemistry profile.
- The doctor analyses your dog’s urine to detect the presence of any crystals in the urinary tract.
- The doctor does scrotal radiographs and ultrasonography to determine what is happening in the testes of your dog.
Treatment
The only treatment for Testicular torsion is surgery. When the veterinary doctor finds damaged tissue, they will recommend removing your canine’s balls. After the surgery, the doctor prescribes antibiotics and pain killers to alleviate your pup’s pain.
Sometimes the veterinarian prefers to reposition your dog’s testes. However, that is only possible in case the torsion is not at an advanced stage yet.
If your dog has developed testicular torsion, he has a chance to experience it again in the future. So the best option I can suggest is neutering your dog under anesthesia.
Why Does My Dog Have Purple Balls?
You may ignore the nether part of your dog when your furry friend is not feeling well. But remember, it is an integral part of their body, just like other organs.
The scrotum is the pouch of your dog’s balls, which contains the testes. The testes are the reproductive organs of your dog.
The skin of the scrotum is usually thin, hairless, and has no fat. The color of the scrotum is generally greyish or blackish. In younger dogs, you may find that the scrotum is pink in color.
Some dogs have slightly purple-colored testes. This is normal and nothing to be worried about. But if you notice dark purple balls, it is a sign that your dog may have testicular torsion.
Testicular torsion occurs when one or both the testes will twist and block blood flow. The scrotum of your dog will start to swell, and the dog will be in pain. If the pain and swelling are acute, your dog will have no desire for food and water and cry on movement.
You should take your pet to the veterinary doctor as soon as you notice dark purple balls because testicular torsion can be extremely painful, and it is best to deal with it immediately.
Is It Normal For A Dog To Have Red Balls?
Sometimes, a dog’s balls become red because of mild inflammation, cuts, and rashes. You can use aloe vera or any antibiotic ointment to ensure the nether region is healthy and pain-free.
Other causes of red balls in dogs are testicular torsion, tumors, and Orchitis.
#1. Orchitis
Orchitis is a condition that results in acute inflammation of testicles in dogs. It is caused by bacteria or fungi but can also be viral.
#2. Testicular Torsion
Testicular torsion is when one or both the testes inside the scrotum twist and blocks the blood flow. It is a very painful condition and makes the testicles of your dog red and swollen.
#3. Tumors
Tumors are the most important cause of red balls in dogs. I am listing below the types of testicular tumors in dogs.
- Sertoli cell tumors
- Seminomas
- Interstitial cell tumors
- Lipoma
- Fibroma
- Chondroma
- Embryonal Carcinoma
A dog can have more than one tumor. But all can be treated and removed by a veterinary doctor. For instance, if we talk about interstitial cell tumors, they are very small, and a veterinary doctor may find them accidentally during a regular checkup.
Seminomas affect the cells of your dog that produce sperms. Fortunately, they don’t spread fast and are not deadly but can cause your male dog to develop female characteristics.
Sertoli cell tumors are dangerous and spread very fast. These tumors lead to excess production of hormones like estrogen or testosterone. Tumors are a dangerous condition in dogs. It is better to take your pet to the veterinary doctor as soon as possible.
Do Dog Balls Come Out?
Yes, dog balls come out, but not in all dogs.
The testes of your dog develop in the abdominal region and descend into the scrotum when they are about two months old. In some dogs, one or both testicles do not fall into the scrotum. This condition is known as cryptorchidism. Cryptorchidism is mainly of two types.
#1.Unilateral Cryptorchidism
- It happens when one testicle of your dog drops into the scrotum.
- The other testicle remains either in the abdomen or the inguinal canal.
#2.Bilateral Cryptorchidism
- It happens when both the testicles don’t drop into the scrotum.
Common Signs Of Cryptorchidism
- Infertility
- Acute abdominal pain
- Feminizing syndrome
Treatment Of Cryptorchidism
Surgical removal of both the testes is the only solution for treating cryptorchidism. However, the surgery is complicated because the cryptorchidism testicle is challenging to find. Once the veterinary doctor locates the cryptorchid testicle, the procedure remains the same as normal neutering.
Wrap Up
Once your dog is diagnosed with testicular problems, he has a chance of developing them again in the near future. So, the best idea in all such cases is to neuter your dog.
We hope this article has given you useful information regarding your dog’s testicles and the various problems that can arise with this organ. If you have further queries or questions, please feel free to write to us, and we will answer them in the best way that we can.
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