Priapism in seven cats

Stuttering Priapism in a Dog—First Report

Simple Summary

A 5-year-old recently castrated male Doberman dog presented for prolonged erection of one week’s duration with associated pain and dysuria. This was the fourth episode within a year. Each episode was associated with an unusual event, which was stressful for the dog. Castration performed two months prior to the final episode did not prevent recurrence. Due to tissue necrosis, penile amputation and urethrostomy had to be performed. To our knowledge, this case is the first report of a stuttering priapism in a dog. Stuttering priapism, also called recurrent or intermittent priapism, is a particular type of ischemic priapism described in humans that is characterized by repeated episodes of prolonged erections.

Abstract

A 5-year-old recently castrated male Doberman dog presented for prolonged erection of one week’s duration with associated pain and dysuria. This was the fourth episode within a year. Each episode was associated with an unusual event, which was stressful for the dog. Castration performed two months prior to the final episode did not prevent recurrence. Due to tissue necrosis, penile amputation and urethrostomy had to be performed. The dog recovered fully. Prolonged erection that persists beyond or that is unrelated to sexual stimulation is called “priapism”. This term refers to the Greek god Priapus, a god of fertility, memorialized in sculptures for his giant phallus. In humans, depending on the mechanism involved, priapism is classified as nonischemic or ischemic. Because prognosis and treatment are different, priapism must be determined to be nonischemic or ischemic. Nonischemic priapism is a rare condition observed when an increase in penile arterial blood flow overwhelms the capacity of venous drainage; it is often associated with penile trauma, and does not require medical intervention. Ischemic priapism is associated with decreased venous return. In humans, ischemic priapism accounts for 95% of cases, the majority of which are idiopathic. Ischemic priapism is a urological emergency; simple conservative measures such as aspiration of blood from the corpora cavernosa and intracavernosal injection of an adrenergic agent are often successful. Stuttering priapism, also called recurrent or intermittent priapism, is a particular form of ischemic priapism reported in humans that is characterized by repetitive episodes of prolonged erections. Management consists of treating each new episode as an episode of acute ischemic priapism, and preventing recurrence with oral medications such as dutasteride and/or baclofen, gabapentin, or tadalafil. To the authors’ knowledge, this case is the first report of stuttering priapism in a dog.

Presumptive Non-Ischemic Priapism in a Cat

A 14-year-old neutered male British shorthair cat presented with a 21-day history of persistent erection and dysuria, along with overgrooming of the perineal region. Mild palpation induced pain and rigid corpora cavernosa with flaccid glans were observed during physical examination. Ultrasonography of the penis did not detect significant blood flow in the penile cavernosal artery. The drawing of aspirate blood from cavernosal bodies for gas analysis was impossible because of the anatomically small penis size of cats. Conservative management, including topical steroid ointment, lidocaine gel, gabapentin, and diazepam, was prescribed for supportive management. The clinical signs resolved, and ultrasonographic examination of the penis revealed no abnormalities. The cat remains clinically well without recurrence during the 6 months after treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first report of non-ischemic priapism in a cat.

Priapism associated with lumbar stenosis in a dog

Priapism, a persistent long-lasting involuntary erection of the penis, is uncommon in dogs. In this report, the case of a 13-year-old male Pointer, referred to our services due to persistent exposition of the penis, is described. This condition was consecutive to an intermittent priapism situation lasting for several days, which has been initially attributed to the inflammation and haematoma associated with a perianal bite. The owners became unable to retract the penis into the prepuce. At presentation, the dog was anorectic for 48 h, intolerant to manipulation, and showed poor body condition and unsteady locomotion. During physical evaluation, a marked engorgement of the local vessels in the prepuce and penis was found. An abdominal X-ray was asked under the suspicion of a neurogenic origin for the clinical situation, which showed evidences of spondylosis. After discussion of the clinical condition, the owners asked for euthanasia. The necropsy confirmed the engorgement of the regional vessels deriving from the pudendal arteries and blood accumulation within all the cavernous spaces, accompanied by congestion and thrombosis within the erectile structures of the penis. No significant changes were observed in the pelvic organs that could be at the origin of priapism. The lumbar-sacral spinal regions were carefully inspected and evidenced signs of L7-S1 stenosis due to spondylosis. The case presented herein is a rare situation of priapism of neurogenic origin in a dog. Necropsy findings suggest that it was consecutive to cauda equina compression due to lumbar spinal stenosis.

Priapism secondary to perineal abscess in a dog - a case report

A 7-year-old intact male Boxer was referred to our services at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, suffering from a persistently erect penis (including the bulbus glandis) that had been exposed for several days. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations detected a 5.0 x 3.5 cm mass located dorso-laterally to the urinary bladder. The microbial culture of the mass revealed Staphylococcus spp. At that time, we suspected the involvement of an abscess in the origin of the priapism. Medical and surgical treatments were promptly instituted, which allowed for penile withdrawal into the prepuce; however, the resolution of the penile erection was not accomplished in the following days and penile amputation was required. Histological evaluation of the excised penis revealed extensive infarction of the erectile tissue of the pars longa and bulbus glandis, and also of the blood vessels of the penis. Following penile amputation and antimicrobial therapy, the animal fully recovered. Ultimately, the animal died as a consequence of gastric torsion. At necropsy, some lesions compatible with a previous perforation of the intestinal wall were recorded. The data gathered from the anamnesis, the physical and imaging examinations, along with the post-mortem findings, allowed us to conclude that in this clinical case the primary cause of priapism was a perineal abscess due to bowel perforation.

Priapism in a castrated cat associated with feline infectious peritonitis

This report describes a case of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in a castrated cat which first presented with the unusual sign of priapism. Laboratory examinations showed increased serum protein content and decreased albumin/globulin ratio. Serum electrophoresis revealed increased α₂- and γ-globulin content. One month after the first examination, the cat died. At necropsy, histopathological evaluation of organs showed inflammatory granulomatous lesions compatible with non-effusive FIP and coronavirus-specific polymerase chain reaction confirmed the diagnosis. FIP antigen was demonstrated immunohistochemically in penile tissue.

Priapism: a review

Priapism is persistent penile erection in the absence of sexual stimulation. The pattern of blood flow to the penis that occurs during normal erection is altered so that sustained priapism may result in edema, increased risk of abrasion, tissue drying and necrosis of the penis. Numerous causes have been reported in animals and humans. The prognosis depends on the type of priapism and the amount of time that passes before therapeutic intervention. Surgical methods, such as aspiration and shunting procedures, have traditionally been used to treat priapism but carry a risk of postsurgical complications. Use of alpha-agonists for treatment of priapism in humans is often successful and avoids the risks of impotence and other surgical complications. Investigation of the use of alpha-agonists for treatment of priapism in animals should be considered.

Disorders of the canine penis

Function and anatomy of the canine penis are reviewed. Functional abnormalities of the penis described include lack of erection and lack of ejaculation. Physical abnormalities of the penis also are described, including paraphimosis. Diagnosis and treatment options are described.