Intact male dog.... frostbite???
Last night I was brushing him (as he is now almost fully grown out this is one of my favourite winter hobbies) and noticed that he has what looks like frost bite on his male bits. We don't leave him out very long when there is a high wind chill or low temp (we have to physically go outside and bring him in though because if we let him he would stay out ALL DAY). He likes to dig little holes in the snow bank and then sit in them and watch the world go by, then develops selective hearing when he gets called inside. Yesterday (and on all very cold days) he was out for less than 3 minutes at a time and we don't go for our regular walks when it is super cold because -45 with a north wind is official stay inside weather. It looks like they froze to something and then he stood up. They aren't black but they are not normal looking. We have a vet appointment booked but is there anything anybody has done to prevent this from happening? Any experience with doggy cold injuries? He is right now sitting staring longingly out the window, other than limiting his time outside is there anything else we can do? This dog LOVES being outside, but spends the majority of time inside due to the climate and this extreme winter, although it has been cold like this for months and this is the second winter he has been through here this is the first time he has had an issue with it. The vet appointment is for tomorrow, should I try to get him in earlier? Although that would mean walking to the vet in this cold which is a good 20+ minute walk. He seems ok but isn't sitting down, choosing instead to stand or lay on his side Should I be worried? We have NO plans to use him for breeding so his fertility isn't an issue I am worried about, more his health and comfort. |
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| If frostbite he would be very, very uncomfortable--as I remember. It might be cold damage, the stages of prefrost bite. Still it is very uncomfortable. The scrotum and inside testicles may appear wrinkled, often dark colored--darker than other areas. Pups have been surviving in extreme weather for quite a few centuries. And males have ways of protecting their parts, granted this is where a tail is helpful. I can remember an OESer in Alaska who had a dog lost for days in the Alaskan winter. The girl was found in good shape as dogs "know" burrowing into the snow is warmer than air temp. So if your boy is two years old and you planned on having him neutered, this might be the time.......if for no other reason than to lessen your anxiety about dangles in extreme weather. |
| Let us know what the vet says, it's probably just a bit of skin damage. I got a bit of skin damage from skiing in -15 c, on the chair lift and with the wind chill it was -25 c the metal zip was on my skin and turned it red, sore and dry for quite some time. Monty likes napping out in the cold in the evenings, it's been cold here too, back to -23 c this weekend  which is nothing compared to you. |
| Brrrrr -23 is still cold! Although the last time it was -20 with sunshine and no wind it felt spring like. I am so done with winter this year. I really can't complain as I am sitting next to a fire place and have a down parka, indoor parking in an attached garage. I have a warm house to sleep in an a warm car to take to work, there is currently a warm sheepdog sleeping on my feet. But still it's darn cold! "They" claim there is supposed to be another month of solid below seasonal temperatures. I let my dogs out and Ru was actually standing on his hind legs trying to do his business as fast as possible. When Leonard is scratching at the door to come in I know it is cold out for reals.Tonight he was in a hurry to get back inside, which a rare. The local animal rescues have had their hardest season in years and some are unable to meet the demand for a warm place for cats especially. My cat hasn't left the bed for more than 5 minutes at a time in weeks and has taken to sleeping on my neck in the middle of the night like some sort of weird cat scarf, very weird to wake up to. Unfortunately there are still people who leave their animals outside or abandon litters or puppies or kittens in dumpsters. It is unbelievable in this weather because even the furriest of dogs has a hard time without shelter. Cats don't stand a chance, they say that most cats they find have lost ears or parts of their tails. Without going into too much gory details they are shiny and an inflamed bright deep red colour poor guy. There are 2 spots where the skin is broken. I feel bad because while he naturally grows long hair; due to his recent sneaky heist of food from the counter and ensuing week of stomach sickness I cut his hair in that area to avoid the need for daily bathing- so his parts aren't as protected as they used to be. I didn't consider the consequences of this action. I am wondering if he somehow stuck them to the metal railing on the banister outside. Who knows! The vet appointment is with a new vet (because we just moved) and I am curious to see how it goes! I will be making the appointment for surgery the end of June when I am on holidays. That way he will have turned 2 and I can be around to watch him after his surgery. Thanks for the advice, glad it likely isn't frostbite because frostbite is scary. |
| Is he showing pain? I remember my ears hurt like the dickens. Sounds like what I call prefrost bite where skin is damaged, rather like a second degree burn, they outer layers of skin may sluff off. Keep and eye on them for further inflammation. Poor guy. I've been in cold like that but not months at a time. Yeah gads guys! |
| I am sure the vet will put your mind at ease. Its quite nice when it is -20 c when there is no wind and the sun is shining, nicer than -2 c a brisk wind and cloud, I find walking the dogs in this more unbearable. I saw this on facebook that made me smile:  |
| It's likely not frostbite - however that does happen on the scrotum. I know just the look you are describing. In fact with our 1st OES, I had him neutered at about 5 yrs old, just because of that issue! He lived to sit out in the really cold weather, often on snow piles to observe his domain...  He was a perfectly behaved intact dog, but I was afraid he would get an infection one of the times and get really sick. My vet laughed, as it was a most unique reason for a dog neuter he had come across! And as a frozen Minnesotan...this winter can end any time. I usually enjoy winters and all my outdoor activities, but this one is no fun. |
| Interesting--as I just took Murphy to the vet for what sounds like a very similar issue. I brush him at least 3 times a week, on Monday last week-all looked fine and then on Friday there were two very red places. I watched it for two days and it didn't seem to get any better so off to the vet we went. We had a very cold snap and sub freezing temps, so I asked that very question, if it could have been caused from sitting in the cold. It looked like a 'sitting' injury to me. The vet said he highly doubted it, and said it was dermatitis. He mentioned allergies, but did not seem real concerned about that. He prescribed a cortisone ointment, and wanted a 10 day treatment. After 24 hours it looked much better, but I have continued applying the ointment twice a day as prescribed. |
| The vet's verdict: second degree frost bite. She made a pained face when she saw the damage. Apparently it only takes about 5 minutes when the temperatures are like this. Especially since we live in a windy spot and Mr Polar bear enjoys napping, playing and generally being outside in almost every temp. I really like our new vet, she seems to know her stuff and she didn't charge me through the nose for things like the last one or try to sell me the vet brand dog food (she asked what we fed him and was happy with the answer, a first). Leonard of course was over the moon, he adores vets offices. From the car ride to the waiting room filled with potential friends to the exam room and then the best part is all the attention. He wiggles his but through injections (I don't know if he even notices them), unpleasant temperature taking and being poked and prodded. He enjoys the vet so much he didn't want to leave, I had to drag him out the door. This may have had something to do with the friendly cocker spaniel that Leonard was trying to be best friends with and the ladies who kept giving "Mr. Muggs" big hugs. Vet visits with my shy dog or cranky cat take half the time of visits with my ultra social sheepdog. For future reference the treatment for such a painful affliction is a vet grade antibiotic/protective cream. She said his temp wasn't elevated but the site showed signs of minor infection (the skin looks nasty, like a burn) so we are going to try the cream and see how it goes. He isn't crazy on being outside right now but I am guessing they are sensitive to the cold and it was a lovely -53 with the wind chill this morning. I don't think anybody is leaving their house until the afternoon when it will only feel like -39 (still frost bite in under 10 minutes territory). Yikes! |
| He will be sensitive probably for the rest of his life........if my ears are any indication. Poor guy. Can't exactly put pants on him but just be aware his "boys" and even later just the empty scrotum will sense cold faster than normal. Let's hope you don't have another winter like this one! Well, at least he had a happy time at the vet, apparently his discomfort isn't enough to make him cranky. |
| We are putting up a fence next year which will help with the wind, and this winter has been a record breaker. We never had this problem last year. Poor little sheep! |
| Did you go to the vet? how are his man parts? |
We did, he has second degree frost bite. Have been treating it but it looks worse, we have a follow up appointment. He seems very happy and bouncy today, which is good to see.  |
| Hello. We had this with Fred, our previous sheepy. Had never known it before in Kent, UK but he did lay outside and then when came in he would "lick himself" and that's what did it our vet thought. Like when people get constant damp hand in winter and they go dry and split. She gave us some cream to rub on-that was fun, I thought husband should do it!! The problem soon cleared up but we had to be careful every winter after that and he had an "outside blanket" to lay on. xx |
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