Reproductive Diseases of the Bull

Lecture 11

List 3 common diseases of the penis/prepuce in juvenile bulls.

penile papilloma (warts)

penile hair rings

persistent frenulum

What is the etiology of penile papilloma (warts)?

bovine papilloma virus —> homosexual riding among young bulls, enters via wounds

List clinical signs of bovine papilloma (warts).

scant hemorrhage after coitus

hesitancy to extend penis or breed

usually single, pedunculated growth

How can we treat penile papilloma (warts)?

surgical excision

What are potential complications associated with penile papilloma (warts)?

recurrence

urethral injury

What is the etiology of penile hair rings?

body hair accumulation on penis

homosexual riding among young bulls

How can we treat penile hair rings?

removal of hairs

What are potential complications of penile hair rings?

necrosis of urethra —> fistula

amputation of glans penis

What is the etiology of persistent frenulum?

incomplete separation of penis and prepuce

penis can extend but has a ventral deviation

How can we treat persistent frenulum?

surgical excision

List different penile deviations and their cause.

S shaped deviation (rare) —> apical ligament too short

Rainbow/ventral deviation —> apical ligament too long

corkscrew or spiral deviation —> apical ligament cannot be maintained in normal position

What factors may predispose a bull to preputial trauma or laceration?

excessive pendulous sheath

excessive preputial length

large preputial orifice

How can we treat prepucial lacerations?

conservative therapy by cleaning damaged tissues and applying emollient ointment before covering with bandage and slings

surgical treatment possible

What is the etiology of penile hematomas?

herefords

early or late in breeding season

bull misses vagina on breeding thrust

penis hits rear of cow or cow slips or gows down under weight of bull

penis bends rapidly

reduces volume and increases pressure of corpus cavernosum penis

75,000 mmHg required to rupture tunica albuginea of penis

ruptures at dorsal aspect of distal bend of sigmoid flexure; insertion of retractor penis muscle

lesion transverse to long axis of penis

What are clinical signs of penile hematoma?

swelling in sheath immediately cranial to base of scrotum, usually symmetrical

How can we treat penile hematoma?

conservative/medical with absolute sexual rest for at least 60 days, systemic antibiotics, hydrotherapy, and treating prepuce if necessary

surgical —> perform surgery between 3 and 7 days after injury

What is the prognosis for bulls medically treated for penile hematoma?

50% return to service

What is the prognosis for bulls surgically treated for penile hematoma?

80% return to service

What condition most frequently occurs in young bulls <2 years of age resulting in painful vesicular glands and a loss of lobulation as a result of infection with Brucella abortus, Trueperella pyogenes, or Histophilus somnus?

vesiculitis

How can we diagnose vesiculitis?

round cells seen on morphology

stain a slide of semen with diff-quick —> WBCs

How can we treat vesiculitis?

young animals can be treated with tetracyclines or benign neglect with recheck in 6 months

older animals should be culled

What unilateral condition is caused by Trueperella pyogenes or Brucella abortus and is often seen with vesiculitis/orchitis; epididymis presents swollen or painful early in disease but can progress to being small, hard, or mishapen?

epididymitis

How can we progress epididymitis?

round cells seen on morphology

stain a slide with diff-quick —> WBC’s

How can we treat epididymitis?

tetracyclines long term

hemi-castration

How can we diagnose penile deviations?

test mating