Page 34 - MWC 9-14-2023s

The Midwest Cattleman · September 14, 2023 · P34
MANAGING BULL PREPUTIAL INJURIES

Preputial injuries can cause considerable economic loss, significantly impact breeding plans.
By Lionel Dawson, Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine

Preputial injuries in bulls tion. The author recommends preputial amputation surgery should be changed daily and
can cause considerable econom- preputial massage using a for- is indicated to remove the ex- accompanied by attempts to re-
ic loss and significantly impact mula of 0.5 kg of lanolin con- cess prepuce or phimosis of the duce the prolapse. Once the in-
a producer's breeding plans. taining 60 ml scarlet oil and 60 preputial cavity. flammation and swelling have
Understanding the severity of ml of oxytetracycline (100mg or Chronic preputial prolapse subsided, the degree of fibrosis
a prepuce injury is critical to 200mg) called “Petercillin" or with severe tissue damage, can be evaluated.
the outcome of the condition. "Petermycin." The lanolin pro- edema and necrosis is often the Surgical intervention is usu-
Bulls with pendulous tects the tissue and prevents result of neglect or poor obser- ally considered if fibrosis and
sheaths and polled breeds have dehydration. The scarlet oil vation. Often, the inflamma- stenosis have occurred. How-
a high incidence of preputial promotes epithelialization and tion and necrotic tissue on the ever, caution should be exer-
injuries. A significant relation- healing, while the tetracycline prepuce is so extensive at the cised to allow sufficient time
ship appears to exist between a provides a broad-spectrum an- time of initial examination, it for complete healing to occur.
pendulous sheath and the ten- tibiotic. is extremely difficult to make This often requires six to eight
dency of habitual eversion of The benefits of preputial an accurate prognosis. In these weeks of sexual rest. Reevalua-
the prepuce. In polled breeds, massage for acute cases of cases, a poor prognosis must be tion after the rest period allows
this tendency may be due to preputial prolapse cannot be given, and the owner should be not only a better assessment of
incomplete development of over-emphasized. Fifteen to 20 advised that seven to 10 days the need for surgery but also
the preputial muscles. Polled minutes of continuous massage of therapy may be necessary the opportunity to reevaluate
breeds with pendulous sheaths, will have a marked effect in before attempting prognosis. genetic and economic factors.
such as Brangus, Beefmasters, reducing edema. The objective Often, chronic prolapses cannot Clients should be advised that
and Santa Gertrudis, are the is to massage the edema or be reduced initially and require a positive breeding outcome is
most susceptible to preputial swelling of the prolapsed tis- extensive therapy before reduc- not guaranteed and obtaining
injuries. sue and replace the prolapse tion can be accomplished. another bull should be consid-
Prepuce injuries can be cat- in the sheath, thus protecting If extensive fibrosis and ste- ered.
egorized as lacerations, avul- the tissue from exposure and nosis are present, reduction The British breeds often do
sions, contusions, frostbite, and additional trauma. Once reduc- may not be possible. Treat- not possess enough preputial
abrasions. Lacerations, contu- tion is accomplished, preputial ment involves hydrotherapy, tissue to permit the removal of
sions, and abrasions are most retention is necessary and can soaking the prolapsed prepuce a fibrotic or stenotic section and
common in range conditions. be done by using either a purse with Epsom salt and betadine still allow for sufficient penile
Habitual eversion can cause string suture or the tape/tube solution for 30 minutes, then extension to accomplish intro-
injury and infection that even- retention technique. The pre- massaging with the previous- mission. Surgery is common in
tually results in phimosis of putial retention device is left on ly described formula for 10 to Bos. indicus and exotic breeds,
stenosis of the prepuce. If there for two weeks to let the prepuce 15 minutes to reduce the pro- which have pendulous sheaths
are plans to use the bull for fu- heal and reduce the edema. lapse. In cases where reduction and extensive amounts of pre-
ture breeding, surgery is often Then, the preputial retention cannot be accomplished after putial tissue.
necessary. device should be removed, and every treatment, the lanolin In summary, prompt and
Infection of the prepuce may the bull observed closely for formula should be applied to appropriate care is key to the
also lead to abscess formation. two to three days to ensure it the prolapsed tissue, a two-inch successful management of pre-
The location of the abscess is does not prolapse. stockinette rolled over the pre- putial injuries in bulls. Clients
usually midway between the If prolapse recurs, it should puce and a pressure bandage must be made aware of the seri-
preputial opening and the scro- be reduced, and therapy con- applied. Rubber tubing such as ous nature of preputial injuries
tum. Bulls with preputial ab- tinued for 10 to 14 days. If the a garden hose or endotracheal and the importance of prompt
scesses seldom recover enough prepuce heals and the bull still tube is placed in the prolapsed medical attention. The objec-
to be used for breeding purpos- cannot keep the prepuce inside prepuce to provide an opening tive of the therapy is to control
es. Paraphimosis (prolapsed the sheath, surgery is recom- for urine. A pressure bandage contamination, prevent further
penis) due to injury of the penis mended. In this case, owners is applied using gauze over the trauma and reduce fibrosis.
or frostbite is serious and often should let the prepuce heal and stockinette. A pressure ban- This requires prompt reduction
results in the bull being sold for give the bull sexual rest for at dage can be created using vet of the prolapsed prepuce. Once
slaughter at a considerable eco- least eight weeks. This should wrap and elastic tape applied reduced, the bovine prepuce
nomic loss. allow enough time for the pre- with moderate pressure. The has a tremendous healing ca-
Acute preputial prolapse puce to heal and shrink the pendulous prolapse is then sup- pacity.
should be managed conserva- amount of scar tissue if sur- ported with either a diaper or
tively. Therapy involves clean- gery is needed. After the heal- sling depending on the temper-
ing the area and prolapse reduc- ing process, reefing surgery or ament of the bull. The dressing

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