Approaches to penile prolapse in a stallion
Keywords: stallion, equine, penis, injury
A mature Icelandic stallion sustained an injury to his penis that resulted in partial prolapse. The stallion had not been in contact with mares so this was not the result of a kicking injury (a common cause of penile injuries in stallions). Instead, it was thought that he had been traumatized while attempting to tease mares across a paddock fence.
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Because trauma to the penis was not severe, it was though sufficient to apply a purse-string suture around the prepuce to retain the penis; similar to the principle occasionally used in bulls with penile prolapse. As will become evident, this was an error in judgement by the author. The purse-string suture was difficult to place because the circumference for suture placement was not as easy to define as that in a bull. Nevertheless, the penis was well retained after suture placement. An aperture of approximately 2.5 cm was left for the passage of urine. Zinc oxide ointment was applied to prevent excoriation because the stallion would not be able to exteriorize his penis during urination.
Appropriate tetanus prophylaxis and antibiotic treatment was used.
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Within 12 hours the penis had escaped the restraint of the purse-string suture. Fortunately this was discovered soon after that had occurred, so strangulation of the penis was not yet evident.
The purse-string suture was removed immediately....
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..... and the penis was suspended in a conventional sling (below) used for penile injuries in stallion.
..... and the penis was suspended in a conventional sling (below) used for penile injuries in stallion.
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The method used for suspending the sling was conventional as well. It is shown below.
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Soon after the application of this sling, it was noticed that pouch of that sling was not large enough to contain the prolapsing penis in this animal. This was replaced by the larger pouch seen below. Zinc oxide treatment continued to prevent excoriation because the pouch remained damp during during the support period.
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Recovery was uneventful.
This cases illustrates the caution that should be exercised if the application of a purse string suture is contemplated. It also shows that a suspensory system and several sizes of pouches should be on hand for penile injuries in stallions.
