Balanoposthitis in Bulls, Rams, Horses, Boars, and Dogs

Balanoposthitis refers to the inflammation of both the glans penis (balanitis) and the prepuce (posthitis) in male animals.

Balanoposthitis in Different Animals

Balanoposthitis is common in the bull, ram and dog and uncommon in the boar and cat and rare in stallion.

Bull

The preputial cavity in the bull contains a variety of bacteria, molds, protozoa and viruses including:

• Vibriosis
• E. coli
• Streptococcus
• Staphylococcs
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• C. Pyogenes
• Proteus
• Actinomycetes necrophorus
• Actinobacillus
• Aspergillus, mucor, Absidia (molds)
• Mycoplasma
• Trichomonas fetus.
• IBR-IPV virus

No obvious Balanoposthitis generally accompanies the presence of the above organism with a possible exception of M. tuberculosis and acute form of IBR-IPV.

Tuberculosis of the penis and prepuce may be characterized by enlarged, granulomatous  bleeding lesions of the glans penis, adhesions of the penis and prepuce and sigmoid flexure with secondary phimosis.

Actinomycosis also affects the sheaths and the glans penis of bulls of the lesions resembled those of tuberculosis.

Trauma, abrasions, lacerations of the prepuce or glans penis usually result in the introduction of the above wound infection organisms into the deeper tissues which lead to Balanoposthitis.

Injuries from artificial vagina including loss of rubber band from vagina into the glans penis.

Homosexuality among males leads to balanoposthitis.

IBR-IPV can produce an acute inflammation and ulceration of the penis and prepuce. Most bulls recover within a one or two weeks. Because of the infectious nature of the disease bulls should not be used for services until 6 to 8 weeks from the onset of attack.

Ram

Balanoposthitis in rams is called “Pizzle rot”. It may be infectious or noninfectious.

The most common infectious form of Balanoposthitis is due to virus that causes ulcerative dermatosis, ulceration of the tip and leg and necrotic venereal disease.

The lesion on the preputial orifice, prepuce and glans penis are ulcerative and covered by scab. Removal of the scab reveals a shallow, raw, bleeding crater containing creamy odorless pus.

The prepucial lesions may cause phimosis or paraphimosis and an extensive penile lesion may render the ram useless as a breeder.

Lesions may also be present on the lip, nostril, feet or vulva.

The disease should be distinguished from contagious ecthyma and common non specific lesions occasionally seen on the preputial orifice of rams.

Ulcerative dermatosis is spread by ventral contact and other means.

In non-infectious forms, two degrees are recognized:

1. An ulceration of the prepuce near the prepucial orifice
2. Stenosis of the orifice with a secondary chronic ulceration of the deeper portions of the prepuce accompanied by the accumulation of pus and necrotic material.

This occurs in wethers or rams of 2 to 4 years of age. It is often associated with a wet spring and pasturing sheep on lush grass,rye, clover or Lucerne that are high in protein.

Changing of the diet to dry feed a lower protein intake, or fasting results in an improvement in the balanoposthitis.

In severe cases the sheath may have to be surgically opened ventrally to permit urination and the saving the life of the animal.

Extending the preputial incision too far caudally may render a ram useless for service. Superficial external lesions may be treated by local therapy.

Horse

Balanoposthitis in the horse may occur in gelding or stallions. Early symptom of dourine, a reportable venereal disease of horses transmitted by coitus, are swelling, edema and reddening of the penis and prepuce. This disease is caused by Trypanosoma equiperdum.

In equine venereal balanitis and vulvitis formerly called genital horse pox or coital exanthema caused by a herpes virus.

There was no effect on fertility but affected stallions refused or were hesitant to copulate.

Cutaneous habronemiasis, also known as summer sores or genital bursatti, may affect the equine penis and prepuce. Habronema larvae can produce fungoid, granulomatous growths measuring 1 to 3 cm in diameter, which may contain firm, necrotic, irregularly shaped masses known as ‘kunkers.’ These lesions bleed readily upon manipulation and may cause intense pruritus.

Boars

Balanoposthitis seldom occurs in boars. The preputial diverticulum in boar often fills with foul smelling urine and smegma and externally may resemble an umbilical hernia.

The boar’s sheath may become infested with screwworms.

In pigs with hog cholera, ulcers of the prepuce as a result of infarction.

Ulceration of the porcine penis due to other causes may be observed. These conditions in boars are usually easily diagnosed and treated.

Dog

In the dog, Balanoposthitis is occasionally observed but rarely it is a cause of failure of copulation. It is characterized by a discharge of pus from the prepuce and it usually responds well to mild antiseptic douches followed by bland antibiotic ointments or solutions.

Balanoposthitis in the dog should be differentiated from the prostatitis as both are characterized by pus appearing at the preputial opening.

Suppurative ulcerative and follicular balanoposthitis or preputial catarrh is common in the dog.

Balanoposthitis in the dog, as in other animals, is due to mixed infections, trauma, foreign bodies, other general diseases and debility.

In the dog acquired phimosis is less frequent than is congenital phimosis.

Prognosis

Prognosis depends upon the severity of the trauma or the infection. In mild cases the prognosis is good.

In severe chronic cases with adhesions between the penis and prepuce or between the prepuce and adjacent tissues, the prognosis is guarded to poor.

In cases of prolapse of the prepice requiring amputation, the prognosis is usually fair to good if the amount of prepuce is removed is not excessive.

Some males may be slow to regain their libido following a painful Balanoposthitis.

Treatment

Treatment of mild cases of balanoposthitis may consist of douching the prepuce with aqueous or oily antiseptics or antibiotic preparations such as saline, 50 to 200 ppm of chlorine solutions, 1:2000 acriflavine or potassium permanganate solutions, 1% hydrogen peroxide solution etc.

Caustic or irritating antiseptics should be avoided.

Treatments may be repeated at daily to weekly intervals. Regular gentle protrusion of the penis may be desirable to prevent possible adhesions.

Tranquilizers, anesthetics, pudental nerve block and adequate restraint are helpful in applying treatment for balanoposthitis.

Sexual rest is essential during and for sometime after the treatment of acute balanoposthitis to promote recovery and to prevent a loss of libido associated with painful condition.