REVIEW ON DISORDERS OF THE PENIS AND PREPUCE IN DOGS

Abstract

Disorders in the reproductive organs of dogs may appear in several different levels of morbidity and mortality according to the animal’s reproductive history, use of medication, and environmental conditions. Thus some differences regarding reproductive organ abnormalities may be found according to the region in which the animal lives. Disorders of the penis and prepuce are frequently seen by Veterinary Clinicians throughout their routine. The penis can be divided into three parts named root, body and glans, (that when not erect are completely covered by the prepuce). The penis bone is an elongated structure that is found almost in its totality inside the glans and it has a ventral sulcus that houses the penile urethra. The prepuce is a tubular sheath that is a continuation of the abdominal skin and it covers the whole penis when it is not erect. It is composed by an inner smooth mucosa and an external skin sheath which is covered with hair towards the preputial orifice, and its functions are to cover and protect the penis. Disorders of the penis and prepuce may be divided into congenital (hypospadia, persistent penile frenulum, phimosis and paraphimosis) or acquired (traumatic, priapism, balanoposthitis and tumors).