Priapism is a persistent erection without sexual stimulation and is diagnosed by physical examination. Partial paraphimosis can also result. Priapism can be caused by myelopathy, drugs, vascular abnormalities, penile masses, trauma, castration in cats, or it can be idiopathic. It can be ischemic and a medical emergency. If nonischemic and no primary cause is identified, therapy with gabapentin, ephedrine, or terbutaline can be attempted. Castration is not helpful, because priapism is not testosterone mediated.
If necrosis or gangrene is severe, amputation of the penis and prepuce and urethrostomy might be necessary.
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Also see pet health content on reproductive disorders of male dogs Reproductive Disorders of Male Dogs Several reproductive diseases can affect male dogs. This section discusses the most common of these disorders. Cryptorchidism is a failure of one or both testicles to descend into the scrotum... read more and male cats Reproductive Disorders of Male Cats Several reproductive diseases can affect male cats. Although most of these disorders (other than cryptorchidism) are rare, the most commonly encountered conditions are discussed below. Cryptorchidism... read more .
