Why is my senior dog bleeding from penis, lethargic, and won't eat?

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.

I am so sorry to hear that your dog is so unwell. From what you are describing it sounds possible that he could have ingested a toxin, have a urinary tract infection, an infection of the prepuce, or an issue with his kidneys. Because he is so lethargic and not eating I would suggest a trip to the veterinarian as soon as possible to a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. If you can collect a urine sample to bring in that would be helpful. In the meantime you can try the following at home; Keep up fluids with; Pedialyte flavourless mixed with water 50/50 Low sodium chicken broth Encourage eating; Chicken boneless and cooked Low fat ground beef cooked Best of luck and ask any further questions you have here, we are here to support you. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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!

If the bleeding from Lucky's penis has gotten worse and/or not resolved at all you may need to bring him back to your vet for a recheck. The penis and prepuce are very vascular (meaning they have lots of blood vessels) and so can bleed easily. If the bleeding hasn't subsided at all there may be a larger vessel that is damaged that may need to be sutured closed to prevent any further bleeding. I would be sure to keep the cone on Lucky as well until you get everything figured out so he won't lick excessively down there and cause more irritation.

It sounds like he should be examined by a vet to determine the cause and treat. He could have an infection and may need an antibiotic to treat. Please schedule an appointment with your vet, especially since he seems to be in pain.

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. .

It looks like Spanky might have a urethral prolapse in your picture. I would recommend having him examined by a veterinarian right away since the prolapsed tissue could become damaged and it could affect his ability to urinate normally. A veterinarian might place some suture around the penis if they are able to reduce the prolapse, but other times more in-depth surgery is needed.