Paraphimosis in dogs

The inability to completely retract the penis into the preputial cavity usually occurs after erection. It is seen most often after semen collection or coitus. The skin at the preputial orifice becomes inverted, trapping the extruded penis and impairing venous drainage. Other causes of paraphimosis include mild phimosis, foreign objects around the penis, a constricting band of hair at the preputial orifice, or trauma. Paraphimosis is easily differentiated from priapism, congenitally shortened prepuce, congenital deformity of the os penis, or paralysis of the retractor penis muscles on the basis of physical examination and palpation.

Paraphimosis is a medical emergency. The exposed penis quickly becomes edematous because its venous drainage is compromised. With continued exposure, it becomes dry and painful. If untreated, ulceration, ischemic necrosis, or gangrene may develop. If recognized early, before severe edema and pain develop, paraphimosis is easily treated. Treatment consists of gentle cleansing and lubrication of the exposed penis. The penis is replaced inside the prepuce by sliding the prepuce first in a posterior direction, extruding the penis further. This everts the skin at the preputial orifice; usually the prepuce then slides easily over the penis. The edema resolves promptly once circulation is restored.

If the everted prepuce does not slide over the edematous, exposed penis, a cold compress may be applied with gentle digital pressure to act as a pressure bandage. Application of hypertonic solutions may also help reduce swelling. With paraphimosis due to other causes, or of longer duration, sedation or general anesthesia is required. It may be necessary to incise the preputial skin to thoroughly examine the preputial cavity, remove restricting material, and relieve venous obstruction. The penis is then replaced in the preputial cavity, and the incision is closed. If the urethra has been damaged, an indwelling urinary catheter may be needed to prevent stricture formation. If necrosis or gangrene is severe, amputation of the penis and prepuce and castration may be necessary. Signs and Symptoms The most obvious sign of paraphimosis is the visual condition of the dog's penis. Other symptoms may include inflammation, dribbling or complete obstruction of urine and excessive licking of the area. Because secondary infections can rapidly develop and pain is often associated with the condition, proper treatment options should be sought as soon as the condition is discovered. You may not notice any of these symptoms, but an otherwise healthy dog appears unable to copulate. If this is the case, further inspection and examination may reveal other symptoms of the condition. Prevention Especially when you own a dog for breeding purposes, there are several things you can do to prevent paraphimosis from becoming an issue. Try to keep the dog's penis clean while in the mating phase. Using water for cleaning purposes should be sufficient, and make sure to clean after every mating attempt. For long-haired dogs or dogs with curly hair, clipping the hair from around the base of the penis can prevent any matting or knots from restricting normal movement. Always be sure to frequently inspect the area for any problems. After a male dog has mated, be sure to keep an eye on the area until the penis completely retracts into the prepuce. Treatment If your dog is experiencing signs of paraphimosis, the dog will first be examined to discover the probable cause of the condition. Necessary measures will be taken to correct the problem, such as trimming of hair and treating of any bacterial infections. Your dog may need to be sedated for this procedure, and if urination has been restricted, a catheter may be inserted for relief. Cold-water compresses or a dextrose solution may be applied to the area. The condition can often be cleared up and healed, however, some severe cases may result in amputation. At-home treatment methods are not recommended beyond taking preventative measures.