Dog lipstick has a singular, and barely ironic, potential to spoil the temper. Imagine assembly a happy-go-lucky, tail-wagging dog who rolls over onto his again for a stomach rub from his new finest pal (that’s you). When this explicit canine exposes his stomach, nonetheless, you get an eyeful, and it’s not simply his stomach that you just see. Also on view is a moist, pink, fleshy, and — if you happen to’re share the opinion of most individuals — disgusting protuberance, a.ok.a. his dog penis. Again, if you happen to’re like most individuals, you’ll lose the will to present that canine a stomach rub.
Dog Lipstick, Dog Red Rocket and Dog Penis — Are They All the Same Thing?
That protuberance “within the space of the penis” goes by numerous names. “Dog lipstick” and “pink rocket” are two frequent colloquialisms. But the precise, acceptable title for the protuberance is: canine penis.
To perceive canine lipstick it’s essential to first know a bit about doggie anatomy. That benign, evenly hair-coated appendage in your canine’s underside that you will have thought was his canine penis is just not, the truth is, his penis. It’s his prepuce. The prepuce is a sheath that protects the canine penis from trauma on a day-to-day foundation (it additionally protects our eyes from the sight of the penis).
The canine penis itself — or what some individuals name the canine lipstick — is pink, moist and fleshy. Most individuals don’t just like the sight of it. To add insult to harm, a small quantity of nasty yellow fluid known as smegma (the title of the fluid mainly quantities to onomatopoeia) normally coats the penis itself.
Why, Then, Do Some Dogs But Not Others Frequently Show Off Their “Lipstick?”
A lot of issues could cause that canine lipstick to emerge from the prepuce. The first is arousal, and never simply that sort of arousal. In drugs, arousal refers to any type of pleasure in any way, similar to may happen when a canine meets a brand new individual. Dogs experiencing common arousal might, in flip, develop just a bit little bit of the opposite sort of arousal. In different phrases, excited canine generally develop slight erections. Erections trigger this canine lipstick to emerge. The canine lipstick phenomenon is extra frequent in however is not at all restricted to un-neutered canine.
Other canine lipstick sightings happen as a result of innocent (to the canine) anatomical anomalies. A dimension mismatch between penis and prepuce, or a canine penis that’s vulnerable to “sagging” out of the prepuce might result in frequent canine lipstick sightings. I’ve identified a number of canine whose penises by no means totally match into their prepuces and had been subsequently perpetually on view. These canine skilled chronically dry penises however got here to no important hurt.
What Should You Do About a Dog Lipstick That’s Been Out for an Extended Amount of Time?
Although most individuals don’t like canine lipstick sightings, most situations wherein the canine penis is briefly seen usually are not dangerous to the canine concerned. There is, nonetheless, an exception. The exception is a situation known as paraphimosis.
Paraphimosis is a pathological extrusion of the dog penis from the prepuce. If the penis turns into entrapped exterior of the prepuce it might swell. Pain and tissue injury — doubtlessly extreme tissue injury — may result. Paraphimosis is a veterinary emergency.
Paraphimosis typically has an look that’s extra dramatic than mere canine lipstick. A big portion of the canine penis typically shall be seen. It will seemingly seem visibly swollen, and could also be purple somewhat than pink (these are indicators of insufficient blood circulation). The affected canine might seem uncomfortable and will try and groom himself “down there” excessively.
Paraphimosis most continuously happens on account of sexual exercise. Misdirected sexual exercise, similar to a dog humping a leg or an inanimate object, causes paraphimosis extra generally than true sexual exercise. Because un-neutered canine usually tend to have interaction on this habits, they’re extra prone to endure from paraphimosis. However, the syndrome is not at all restricted to them.
Here is the state of affairs by which paraphimosis most continuously happens. A canine engages in misdirected sexual exercise, inflicting the penis to emerge from the prepuce. The prepuce typically has a skinny coat of hair. The hair on the tip of the prepuce can clog the opening of the prepuce, stopping the penis from correctly retracting after the exercise is over. Swelling, ache and different signs then begin.
How to Treat Paraphimosis
Strong-stomached homeowners can try and deal with paraphimosis at residence. A water-based private lubricant similar to Ok-Y Jelly is utilized to the penis, the hair on the tip of the prepuce is gently extracted from the opening, and the penis is re-inserted into the prepuce. Avoid utilizing unique private lubricants that trigger heat or tingling sensations.
Some canine with paraphimosis shall be in an excessive amount of ache to tolerate residence remedy. Others will endure from paraphimosis that’s too extreme to be addressed at residence. These canine, or canine owned by extra squeamish individuals, ought to obtain veterinary consideration as quickly as doable (though it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to use lubricant to the penis to stop it from drying out). They typically require sedation and even common anesthesia for the penis to get replaced. After I deal with paraphimosis I normally trim the hair from the tip of the prepuce to cut back the chance of recurrence; given the delicate nature of the location, this can be a job that solely an skilled skilled ought to try.
The backside line on canine lipstick
Dog lipstick is unpleasant however normally innocent. Be conscious, nonetheless, that in some situations canine lipstick sightings could also be an indication of a significant issue.
Thumbnail: Photography ©Ksenia Raykova/Thinkstock.
This submit was initially revealed in 2013.