Contributors: Autumn P Davidson, Prof Gary England

 Species: Feline   |   Classification: Diseases

Introduction Pathogenesis Diagnosis Treatment Outcomes Further Reading

Introduction

  • Male cats can experience entrapment of the penis outside of the prepuce during detumescence, a form of paraphimosis.

Presenting Signs

  • Typically, a cat with penile entrapment will demonstrate acute discomfort during the period of anticipated detumescence, associated with failure of the engorged penis to return to inside the prepuce.

Age Predisposition

  • Penile mucosal exposure can lead to drying, excoriation and ischemia if the condition is not resolved.
  • Any age intact breeding male cat.

Breed Predisposition

  • Increased incidence in long haired breeds.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

  • Physical entrapment of the tip of the penis secondary to interference with detumescence by hair at the preputial orifice and inward rolling of the preputial skin.

Predisposing Factors

General

  • Longer hair coat predisposes individual to inward rolling of the prepuce during detumescence and entrapment of the distal tip of the penis in a hair and skin fold.

Diagnosis

Client History

  • These cats may have a history of distress following breeding or masturbation. Compulsive grooming efforts may resolve the problem in some cases.

Diagnostic Investigation

  • Diagnosis is made by visual examination of the prepuce and penis.

Differential Diagnosis

  • Paraphimosis due to neurological dysfunction. May be idiopathic.
  • Continued sexual stimulation.
  • Severe balanoposthitis.
  • Swelling of the penis due to mass lesions:

Treatment

Initial Symptomatic Treatment

  • Application of water soluble lubricants and gentle retraction and massage of the prepuce may allow return of the penis within the preputial orifice.
  • Surgical therapy (penile amputation Penis: amputation, myorrhaphy) is unlikely to be necessary unless the condition is not diagnosed before severe ischemic necrosis occurs.
  • Grooming to remove excessively long hair from the distal prepuce, application of water soluble lubricants after breeding, and monitoring detumescence closely to avoid engorgement of the distal penis resulting from and exacerbating paraphimosis.

Outcomes

Prognosis

  • Good if caught immediately.

Expected Response to Treatment

Reasons for Treatment Failure

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

Other Sources of Information