264 DISEASES OF THE PENIS AND PREPUCE 



the bites of other animals, and different degrees of the con- 

 ditions are found, from small cuts of the prepuce to extensive 

 laceration of the tissues. Rubber bands are occasionally 

 found on the penis just back of the glans. These, if left on 

 very long, result in extensive edema and necrosis of a portion 

 of the penis. Injuries also occur during coition as the penis 

 is retained in the vagina until the semen is ejaculated, which 

 requires several minutes in the dog, and during which time 

 the movement of the female will often cause torsion or 

 twisting of the penis with subsequent edema. Frequently 

 dogs are roughly handled at this time and the penis lacerated 

 or cut. The prepuce is often found split from being cut by 

 sharp objects, or perforations occur which allow the penis to 

 prolapse through the opening. 



Symptoms.— The symptoms depend to a great extent upon 

 the kind of injury and the amount of damage done to the 

 tissues. . Attention to wounds of the prepuce will be drawn 

 by the hemorrhage and swelling. Examination reveals the 

 extent of the wound. In edemas of the penis, the animal 

 shows difficulty in urination, the penis often projecting 

 from the prepuce, swollen, reddened, and if strangulated 

 will be of a dark color (venous stasis). Thorough examina- 

 tion should be made to determine the degree of injury, and 

 to discover any foreign bodies which might be present. 



Prognosis.— Favorable in most cases, as wounds in this 

 location respond to treatment readily. Not so favorable in 

 cases of strangulation of the penis with subsequent necrosis. 



Treatment.— The parts must be thoroughly cleansed, 

 washed with an antiseptic solution, and the character of the 

 injury determined. Wounds in the prepuce, such as cuts or 

 perforations, are sutured after thorough disinfection and all 

 ragged edges removed with the scissors. Injuries to the 

 penis should be looked after carefully, as they sometimes 

 lead to sufficient swelling to interfere with the discharge of 

 urine. In such cases, the catheter is introduced and the 

 urine withdrawn. Should this procedure fail, make an 

 opening in the urethra at the ischial arch to temporarily take 

 care of the discharge of urine. Applications of antiseptic 

 solutions for a few days will reduce the inflammation and 



