Veterinary Andrology and Reproductive Techniques

PHIMOSIS OR STENOSIS OF THE PREPUTIAL ORIFICE

Inability to protrude the penis outside the sheath or prepuce is called phimosis.

• Stenosis of the preputial orifice is usually acquired due to injuries, wounds and infections.
• In cattle with pendulous sheaths, the preputial orifice may be stepped on causing severe contusion and swelling.
• Congenital stenosis in dogs may be corrected by a dorsal incision of the external preputial orifice.
• In bull, dog or ram, the usual procedure to correct a simple stenosis of the preputial orifice caused by cicatricle tissue is to remove a triangular portion of the skin from the ventral portion of the sheath or prepuce.
• The base of the triangle is at the preputial orifice.
• After the skin is removed, an incision is made through the midline of the prepuce to the apex of the triangle.
• After the careful hemostasis the preputial membrane is suture to the skin by interrupted catgut sutures.
• Chronic prolapse of the prepuce is a very common cause of posthitis and phimosis. It is common in Bos indicus cattle.

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• Pendulous sheath, a large preputial orifice, relaxed preputial membranes are inherited traits.
• In the affected breeds, the prolapse of the prepuce may occur and it becomes dry, traumatized, swollen and fibrotic.
• Mild cases-the affected bull may be confined.
• The prolapsed organ should be carefully washed, cleaned and dried.
• Oily antibiotics or bland antiseptic preparations are applied and the prolapsed organ is replaced and held in position by purse-string suture through preputial orifice.
• More severe cases where replacement is not possible, circumcision or even amputation of the prepuce is necessary.

Prevention

• It is undesirable to operate an affected bull since the prolapse of prepuce is genetically predisposed.
• Males should be selected for lighter, less pendulous sheaths with smaller preputial orifice and stronger retractor penis muscle.
• Phimosis may be congenital in young dogs, cats and horses

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