My dog has heartworms and is bleeding from his penis. Should I worry?

Heartworm disease can cause lysis of red blood cells, and the pigment from the red blood cells is often excreted in the urine, so the urine color you're seeing could be related to the heartworm infection. However, there are many other causes of hematuria (blood in the urine), and those include urinary tract infection, urinary stones, and urinary cancers, as well as prostatitis and prostatic abscesses in unneutered males such as Rocky. As long as Rocky is doing well otherwise, I would at least call the vet who did the heartworm treatment, and see if he/she would like to see Rocky today, just to perhaps check a urinalysis and do a prostatic exam to be sure everything is OK before assuming it's related to the heartworm disease.

Bleeding from the penis indicates a serious problem. In an unneutered dog, it could be a prostate infection, enlargement, or tumor. Some other possibilities include a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, or a systemic bleeding problem (coagulopathy). I suspect that his paw biting is unrelated and may be due to allergies or a hot spot, but he should definitely be seen by a veterinarian to determine the cause of both issues and come up with a good treatment plan. Best of luck!

Poor Bonnie! Coughing up blood is not expected with heartworm disease and indicates significant inflammation. It could also indicate a worsening of the condition. I recommend to take her in to see the veterinarian. It's better to be safe. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

I see that your dog is not neutered - I'm not sure how old he is, but in middle-aged or older unneutered males it is common to see blood dripping from the penis as a symptom of an [enlarged prostate](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/prostate-enlargement/). That is normally the first thing that I would check out in a dog with this problem. Other possible causes include an injury or tumor on the penis or the penile sheath, a bladder or prostate infection, bladder stones, kidney disease, or even a systemic bleeding disorder. I would recommend taking him to a vet for an exam - they will probably want to collect a urine sample for testing, check his prostate during a rectal exam, and examine his penis closely outside the sheath to look for any problems. From there, x-rays and ultrasound can be used to look at the prostate, if needed. If the problem is due to prostatic enlargement, this can normally be improved with [neutering](https://www.petcoach.co/article/benefits-of-neutering-castrating-male-dogs-puppies/) and does not typically cause any long-term problems.

Your dog very likely has some kind of urinary tract infection or he could be injuring the delicate tissue of his penis as he humps the pillow. First, I would get him checked by your vet for an infection of some kind. If he checks out healthy, or to curb this behavior in the future to avoid further injury, when you see him humping the pillow, distract him with a toy or by asking him to perform a trick or task for you, to offer him a pleasant alternative to the pillow. Over time, he may come to abandon the pillow.

Blood from the penis can be a result of a urinarh tract infection, prostate issue, bladder stones, or trauma. I recommend having Nemo examined by a veterinarian and having a urine sample checked to see if an infection is present. He may need X-rays to rule out a bladder stone. It would be best to have him examined as soon as possible as these issues can progress quickly. He may need a prescription medication like an antibiotic to treat the underlying issue. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope Nemo is feeling better soon!

He could have an infection and need an antibiotic. Keep the area clean, dry, and prevent him from licking the area until you can take him to the vet. If the bleeding seems excessive or he becomes lethargic than he should be seen immediately to rule out a clotting problem. .