Dog Scrotum Peeling After Neutering (Graphic Warning)

There are many advantages to neutering male dogs. Territorial urine marking diminishes, the dog is less motivated to seek out bitches in heat, and inter-dog aggression usually lessens. Owners are often concerned and feel the procedure may pose health risks.

Male owners often have more hesitations and questions, being relatively squeamish about the whole affair. It is not, therefore, very encouraging if a dog’s scrotum begins peeling after neutering. 

When a dog’s scrotum peels after surgery, it is usually due to an allergy to products used during the surgery. It may also result from excessive swelling due to inflammation or a secondary bacterial infection. Skin peeling can occur if a dog has licked the scrotal area excessively.   

It can be worrying to see any unexpected complications after surgery on your dog. Most of these are easily remedied and are minor. 

What Should A Scrotum Look Like After Neutering?

To understand how a scrotum will look after neutering, it is necessary to understand the typical procedure involved in neutering a dog.  

The dog is usually sedated while the surgery preparation is completed. Sedation is achieved by intramuscular injection. An intravenous line is inserted once the dog is sleeping. The dog does not resist, making the job easier and safer. 

The Scrotal Area Is Shaved And Cleaned

The scrotum and surrounding areas are shaved. Hair going into incision sites causes infections and irritations, so this step is necessary. 

Shaving is completed with the help of soap or some other lubricant. This is to prevent razor rash or burn. In some practices, electric clippers may be used. Occasionally veterinarians feel clippers do not provide a clean removal of the hair and prefer shaving with a manual razor. 

Once hair removal is completed, the entire area is disinfected using a veterinary-approved antiseptic solution. Veterinarians have preferences for disinfecting solutions, which may be based on availability and price. Chlorhexidine and iodine-based (Betadine) solutions are frequently used.

Some of these solutions may stain the skin. It is particularly common for iodine-based antiseptic solutions to leave the skin with an orange-brown hue. Don’t be alarmed if the area around the scrotum has stained this color.

How Many Scrotal Incisions Are There After A Neuter?

The dog will be moved to the operating cradle to lie on his back, ready for surgery. A full anaesthetic is administered so that the dog does not feel any pain during the surgery. 

There are two primary incision choices when completing uncomplicated neuter in a male dog. The general trend is to make one incision through which both testes can be accessed for removal. Some veterinarians prefer to make two incisions on either side in the groin area and access each testicle independently. 

Will My Dog Have Stitches After Neutering?

Blood vessels are clamped as the testicles are removed to prevent excessive bleeding. Once the testicles are removed, the incisions are sutured. Some veterinarians use permanent sutures, which must be removed seven to ten days later. Others prefer to use dissolving sutures that do not need removal.   

Will There Be A Dressing Covering The Wounds? 

When the dog comes home after neutering, he will have an adhesive dressing covering the incision. The surrounding area may be discoloured from the antiseptic solution. There may be some minor swelling due to the trauma. 

Some dogs may have mildly irritated red skin in the area due to the hair removal. This often depends on the skill of the person shaving or clipping. It can also be affected by the sensitivity of the dog’s skin. 

What Happens To The Scrotum After Neutering?

After neutering, some pet owners are concerned about the scrotum and think it might fall off. Once the testicles are removed, and the scrotum heals, the scrotal sac tends to shrink in size. 

There may be minimal shrinkage in some dogs, and the scrotum is still a significantly noticeable empty sack or skin pouch. There may be more shrinkage in other dogs, and the scrotum becomes much smaller. 

The dog’s age at neutering makes a difference to the remaining scrotum. In older dogs with large testicles, there will be a more significant scrotal sack. In younger dogs with small testicles, the scrotum may be almost negligible. 

Why Is My Dog’s Scrotum Red And Scaly?

If your dog has just been neutered and the scrotum is red and scaly, he may be reacting to one of the products used during the sterilization. A veterinarian should see any heat, pus, or excessive swelling as this is abnormal. 

Dogs can sometimes be allergic to the adhesive on the dressing or even to the stitches themselves. The dressing can be removed if it is the cause of the inflammation. If the stitches are causing an allergy, the veterinarian may prescribe antihistamines, cortisone, and a covering antibiotic until they can be removed.  

Dogs lick areas that are itchy or irritated, which can lead to red, scaly skin. This can occur after neutering, in which case a plastic cone is the most common remedy.  

It is essential to consult a veterinarian after neutering if there are:

  • Swelling in the scrotum or groin, which worsens
  • Scrotal skin that appears bruised as there could be an internal bleed
  • Inflammation and pus around the stitches. Minor redness is expected around the stitches, but significant inflammation is not.
  • Red skin that peels from the scrotum

Your dog may have a red, scaly scrotum at other times when there has been no medical procedure. Compromised skin on the scrotum is usually the result of dietary or environmental allergies. 

When the dog sits or lies on grass or ground, his scrotum is exposed to seeds, pollen, dust, and other irritants, which may result in the skin becoming red and itchy. The dog licks the area, stimulating nerve endings that stimulate further itchiness, and a cycle begins. 

How Do You Get Rid Of Scrotal Dermatitis In Dogs?

Scrotal dermatitis can be moist or dry, depending on the dog’s skin reactions. If there is moist dermatitis, removing hair in the area will facilitate drying. Allergies causing dermatitis must be addressed. 

If dietary allergies are the underlying cause, the offending ingredient must be identified and the dog placed on an appropriate diet. Environmental allergies are harder to eliminate and may be seasonal. 

Medication to control allergies is prescribed by the veterinarian and may need to be given long-term. Creams to reduce itchiness may be used with a device to prevent licking, such as a plastic cone.

Scrotal dermatitis may be a result of fleas. Many dogs have allergies to flea bites and flea dirt, and a typical area to find fleas in the groin. An effective flea control program should be implemented. 

Conclusion

It is rare and unexpected for a dog’s scrotum to peel after neutering. It will only occur if there has been an allergic reaction to one of the products used during surgery or massive inflammation and infection. If your dog has a red, peeling scrotum after neutering, you should return to the veterinary practice for your dog to have a thorough examination of the area. 

References

https://snpla.org/14-days-tips-for-helping-your-pet-heal-after-spayneuter-surgery-by-dr-katie-marrie/
https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2013/02/08/dog-castration/
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