Genitalia problem?

[Irishsk8r66]

I was just giving my dashy his second monthly hair ring check and i noticed that the tip was red and a little raw and dry looking......it also was a little differently shaped than last month. a few days ago i had seen him with it in his mouth and thought it was wierd but wasnt worried about it until now. could he be chewing on it? should i take him to the vet? it wasnt bleeding but it was dry, red and not smooth as far as shape goes.....im really worried.....

 

[Jazicat]

I don't know much but am wondering how old your little guy is. Also has he had access to enough drinking water and been drinking it? Is he urinating properly?

I just asked those questions because the more that's known the more people can help. I hope all will be well with your boy.

 

[Irishsk8r66]

he is just barely a year old (jan 24!) and he is eating a little less pellets than usual and is still pooping drinking and peeing the same as usual as far as i can tell......

 

[Jazicat]

I know that boys will clean themselves a little zealously at that age but I really can't say that's what it is. I probably couldn't even if I saw it but I hope that someone with more experience comes by soon.

 

[ChinnyMom]

perhaps it's an infection at the urethra opening and he's been licking/chewing at it due to the discomfort?

a chin safe antibiotic cream would work? i'm sorry, i don't know enough (yet at least, lol) about chin health issues to recommend a specific remedy.

i would err on the side of caution and take him to the vet.

 

[Irishsk8r66]

ok. hopefully theyre open and i can get there tomorrow since we just had a huge blizzard here....thanks for the help and if anyone else knows more please please please let me know. thanks again

 

[Stackie]

It is normal for male chins to take the penis into their mouth and clean it. Does he get hair rings often? Two checks a month seems like a little much. I honestly don't check any of my boys often unless I notice them excessively grooming their penis. I have never had a full hair ring. I have only twice found a bit of fur on a penis in five years of owning males. Obviously if one of them had problems with hair rings, I would check regularly. I would think the multiple checks a month could tend to be irritating to the penis, especially if no lubrication is being used to get the penis in and out of the sheath.

Is the tip of the penis out of the sheath, or does it go completely in?

 

[Irishsk8r66]

i was told to check it once a month so i do it towards the beginning of the month......i did it at the beginning of january also. he has never had a hair ring and since he just turned one this is only my second check ever. it goes all the way back in....

 

[Stackie]

Are you using any lubrication to get the penis in and out of the sheath?

If it continues to look red and inflamed, I would get him to the vet.

 

[Irishsk8r66]

i wasnt using any lubrication. i hadnt heard about that when researching hair rings checks. should i?

 

[Riven]

The glans of a chin penis isn't necessarily smooth. Please do not put any cream on the chin's penis, it will simply get ingested.

If it seems dry and doesn't want to return to it's sheath you can apply some water based lube like KY or even take a little vaseline and rub it in your fingers to get it warmed up a little and apply it.

Check very carefully for a hair ring, sometimes it can be only one hair. Since chins do not have thumbs they routinely clean the penis using their mouth, this is normal. Okay, I can not back up that it's because they don't have oppossable thumbs, but I think it's an option.

Since the weather is bad I would double check for any hair, make sure you fully extend the penis or you may miss some. It can also be possible that he had a hair ring and removed it himself. Using lubricant can help the penis slide in and out of the sheath more easily, as well as moisturize the penis if it's irritated. I would simply check it very thoroughly in good light, and leave it be for at least a day as messing with it will irritate it more. Check it again in a day or two, continue to monitor food and water intake as well as output. If the weather is as bad there as some places have gotten hit here, I personally don't feel this is important enough at this point to risk going to the vet.

 

[cuddlycuddles]

I would not use a cream for ring check, but a lubricant like a KY or similar works well. When finished checking, I wipe the excess lubricant with a tissue.

 

[Riven]

A lubricant just helps the penis slide back into the sheath and prevent drying and chafing. It is not required, but one of those nice little things you can do to make it easier on them, lol.

 

[ticklechin]

I have had several that got hair rings weekly, my 17 year old gets them at least twice a month, depends on the chin. If they get them frequently check them frequently.

 

[mishellyshel]

Definitely use some type of lubricant, it will make the process easier. not too much or it gets too slippery. since the weather is bad and you may not be able to get out to get a standard lubricant like KY jelly or comparable, i think that a smal amount of unscented vasoline rubbed between your finger would probably help. you dont want to glob it on him.

I also agree with Stackie.......you dont need to check that often unless you notice that he is grooming himself more often.

 

[Irishsk8r66]

thank yo so much. i checked it very thuroughly to make sure nothing was around the penis and i will for sure start using ky. anything to make it easier for my little guy.
since he has been acting normal i am not overly concerned after hearing all of your advice and thoughts. thank you again and i will get some ky and check him again in a few days. thanks so much!

 

[broderp]

WTH?

Hair ring? Really? Good lord.

Sorry, just now learned about this. Can someone link me to a thread describing what this is in more detail?

I have limited web access, (I'm at work) and have to electricity at home. I can't spend a lot of time searching right now.

 

[chinnychinchinchilla]

WTH?

Hair ring? Really? Good lord.

Sorry, just now learned about this. Can someone link me to a thread describing what this is in more detail?

I have limited web access, (I'm at work) and have to electricity at home. I can't spend a lot of time searching right now.

Heres a video on it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUfmBoighpA

 

[tunes]

I would not use Vaseline. Use the KY.

 

[Riven]

Yea, I would not use vaseline for everyday checking, I just meant if it was all you had there and can't get to the store due to the storm.

And a tip.. have it out and ready before you start... nothing worse than having a male who's penis doesn't want to slide by into the sheath and have the poor thing hanging out while you're trying to get out and open the lubricant. Not that I've ever had that happen.... ( looks around nervously)