Pictures of Dog Bulbus Glandis: What it Looks Like on Dogs

Score for Seniors:
Activity Level:
Weight: Pounds

Author:

poddle rolling over on the floor

This article was updated on November 11th, 2023

The bulbus glandis is a normal part of male dog anatomy. Sometimes visualized as two enlarged, round swellings under the skin on either side of the pen*s, the bulbus glandis is made up of erectile tissue.

When a male dog is excited, blood flows into the bulbus glandis causing the characteristic engorgement of these round structures.

Bulbus Glandis is a part of the dog reproductive system that is present in male dogs. It is located at the base of the pen*s and swells during arousal, causing the dog’s pen*s to enlarge and lock into the female’s vag*na during copulation.

How do you recognize bulbus glandis? [with pictures]

When engorged, it will appear as:

  • symmetrical,
  • round,
  • firm
  • located on either side of the pen*s.

They are further cranial (towards the head) than the testicles and can appear in both intact and neutered male dogs. When the dog is no longer excited, they will completely disappear.

Pictures of Bulbus Glandis on Dogs

When engorged during mating, it serves to retain the male’s pen*s in the v*gina of the female, just before, during, and after ej*culation. This “tie” during mating may last from 20 minutes up to an hour. It is completely normal for the bulbus glandis to engorge and be externally visible on all male dogs, even if they are neutered.

If your male dog has an engorged bulbus glandis, there is nothing that you need to do

The condition is not painful for the dog and is a perfectly normal occurrence.

Call your veterinarian if the engorgement of the dog’s bulbus glandis persists for longer than two hours or if the pen*s is outside of the prepuce

You should call your veterinarian if the engorgement of your dog’s bulbus glandis persists for longer than two hours or if the penis remains outside of the prepuce, as these conditions can indicate serious health issues that may require immediate medical attention.

Frequently asked questions

Why do dogs have a bulbus glandis?

This structure is a normal part of male canine anatomy. The bulbus glandis engorges with blood during mating to retain the pen*s inside the female’s vagina before, during, and after ejaculation.

Does it cause any pain for the dog?

No, an engorged bulbus glandis is not painful for the dog.

Does neutering your dog remove the bulbus glandis?

No, the castration (neuter) surgery consists of surgically removing the make dog’s testicles. The bulbus glandis is a normal anatomical feature and will be present in both intact and neutered dogs.

Is what I am seeing swollen bulbus glandis – or is it something else?

The best way to know if the structure you are seeing in your male dog’s groin is the bulbus glandis is to ensure that the structure disappears from visibility when the dog is no longer excited.

If the bumps persist, if one side is larger than the other, if there is just one mass, or if the pen*s is stuck outside of the prepuce, your dog needs to be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

These different appearances could indicate an injury or tumor:

1. Hernia

A hernia in dogs can appear as a lump or bulge under the skin. The exact appearance can vary depending on the type of hernia and its location. An example is shown below:

2. One-sided mass

If one side is larger than the other, if there is just one mass, please reach out to your veterinarian.

Related posts:

Author

  • Dr. Jamie Whittenburg portrait icon

    Dr. Jamie Whittenburg is a Veterinarian Director at 'Senior Tail Waggers' and Director and Owner of Kingsgate Animal Hospital, a full-service animal hospital in Lubbock, TX. She graduated from Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and has over 17 years of experience working as a veterinarian & hospital director.

    View all posts

Disclaimer: This website's content is not a substitute for veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian for healthcare decisions. Read More.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.