Dysuria in a Sardinian Ram with Glans Penis Traumatic Injury

Signs of dysuria in rams are usually associated with urethral obstruction caused by calculi, especially in castrated males, while penile trauma is rarely reported as a cause of dysuria. In this paper, a case of a 4-year-old, 65 kg bodyweight, Sardinian intact ram referred to the Teaching Veterinary Hospital (OVUD) at the Department of Veterinary Medicine - University of Perugia, Italy, with a 1-month history of dysuria is reported. At the moment of referral, the animal showed increased heart and respiratory rate, normal rectal temperature, urine dropping, straining and false kyphosis. Ultrasound investigation revealed heterogeneous hypoechoic tissue surrounded by a hyperechoic capsule in the apical end of the penis, normal testicular parenchyma, and distended urinary bladder. After sedation, the protruded glans penis was necrotic at inspection. Cystography showed no alterations in the urinary tract, while catheterization was unsuccessful; after the amputation of the urethral process, involuntary urine loss appeared. The ram was hospitalized and antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and sustain therapy was administered for 5 days, associated with daily preputial flushing with iodine solution. Two injections of neostigmine metilsulphate, 1 mg SC, 24 hours apart, were administered to increase the bladder tone. The animal slowly improved both the general condition and the voluntary urine emission. After coming back to the farm, the ram observed a further period of sexual rest. To our knowledge, there are no reported cases of iatrogenic penile trauma and subsequent necrosis and strangury in small ruminants. Since necrosis of the glans penis was noticed, caution should be used in formulating prognosis concerning the future mating ability of the animal, based on the extension of the necrotic process.