Deep Snow/Cold Weather Testicle Protection

[Snowshoe]

Anybody have a need for deep snow and or cold weather protection for their male's testicles? What do you do? Eddy hangs low in the snow. He's like the continental soldier, I could tie him in a knot, I could tie him in a bow. Have already dealt with mild abrasion and small injury but would like to prevent such happening again.

[Berna]

Never had an issue but then again, we rarely get so much snow.

[barry581]

I got nuthin'. Have never had an issue with this.

[smartrock]

I guess you don't want him hiking around in a pair of tighty whities? I tried to find a snow suit for dogs for you but they all seem to leave their "nether regions" exposed to the elements or you have to remove it for the dog to relieve himself. Let's see, I've seen these little ear warmers that people knit or crochet for baby calves to keep their ears from freezing in the cold... Can you crochet a doggy jock strap? Sorry! That's all I could come up with!

https://kalfkozies.ca/

[Snowshoe]

@Berna - It was +5C and rained here yesterday and the snow is mostly gone. We only had about 20 - 30 cm on the ground. Places north got 140 cm in a blizzard a week ago. But our snow will return, I hope.

@Barry581 - I have found this same question on some hunting dog groups, but it is not a common worry. Certainly my previous two intact males never had this problem. Interestingly it is also a concern with female dogs who have had puppies. So far the owners are just using bag balm, or musher's secret or something like that. It has to be something that won't hurt the dog if he licks it off.

@smartrock - I did find full body suits but they are nylon and too hot. Some are cotton and I can't see that working in snow, snow would stick, then melt, then freeze. Eddy is off leash, hunting, so I don't want to risk him getting caught up on branches. I did contemplate making a doggy jock strap but how to get it to stay on an off leash dog, I don't know.

Thanks folks.

[Snowshoe]

Well, this morning Eddy got rather bloody. I think he got caught by a blackberry bush because our snow has really gone down. A man petting him at the snowmobile groomer shed we pass on our way home noticed it so I don't think it happened till the end of our walk. It's not serious, he's not even licking it. But I sent a note to his Vet to ask if she has any ideas. I really can't see musher's secret doing much good. Neuter if it removes the scrotum might be an option but most leave the empty scrotum on these days and that could be worse.

[smartrock]

When Chase got neutered at 3 years old they did not remove his scrotum. His breeder told me that after some initial swelling, when that went down it should "tuck up nicely". And it did. Eddy sounds like he's hanging pretty low, though, so maybe the vet could opine on the tucking potential for your little manly man. I've never seen a male dog with what looks like Santa's bag after Christmas hanging back there. Or is Eddy just lower to the ground overall anyway?

[POPTOP]

Heard about undescended testicles but have not heard of this problem. Spaying may help and if your vet deems it necessary maybe scrotal ablation. Have not heard of a scrotal "uplift". Grandson's dog has low hanging testicles, at least to me, but I'm not used to seeing many as our males have all been neutered except Chip. Chip's seem to really tuck up in the cold weather and really don't hang low when he is warm. I can see where it would be a problem with as active as Eddy is in rugged, brushy areas. Cannot not even think of a way to hold them up with any type of pant or strap because it would interfere with him having to poop or pee. I'd be interested in hearing what the vet has to say.

[Snowshoe]

@smartrock. Interesting your Vet said the scrotum should tuck up after neuter. Eddy's Vet said exactly the opposite, when we thought we might have to neuter Oban. And I found confirming info on Vet medical sites that say neuter after maturity tends to leave the scrotum dangling, unresponsive to cold and it doesn't tuck up. Since Eddy is already hanging low, and is three years old, this is a concern.

Eddy is the same height Oban was, 23 inches at his withers. This was not a problem with Oban, or the previous male who was smaller. And Eddy only has this problem in winter. They should shrink up in the cold, he doesn't. Eddy runs through the same brush in summer and never a problem. His internal thermostat seems to be out of whack.

@Poptop, thanks, have not heard back. AFter I cleaned him up yesterday he seemed fine, not bothered, didn't even lick himself.

[Snowshoe]

Heard back from the Vet. She did have to neuter a dog with a similar problem but he was not yet 2 and he did tuck up after. He kept trying to jump things that were very high and slamming his testes into the tops of fences and things and injuring himself and getting painful swelling. Vet also said try bag balm. Eddy's bloody injury the other day did not bother him, he didn't even spend any time licking it. So we are going to do the old "wait and see" if it happens again. But I will try bag balm.