Page 1628 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

820 Preputial Discharge

quickly and with fewer side effects than • Ovariectomy or ovariohysterectomy pre- should be performed as early in gestation
using either individually. vents the problem of unwanted pregnancy • Shortening the luteal phase shortens the
as possible.
VetBooks.ir initiated after 50 days’ gestation, birth of Technician Tips interestrous interval. Clients should be
• If pregnancy termination protocols are
permanently.
advised to expect the next cycle to occur
viable puppies or kittens may occur and is
not recommended.
anorexia, vaginal discharge, discomfort,
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) • Side effects of pregnancy termination include sooner than normally expected.
agonists, GnRH antagonists, GnRH vac- depression, and lactation. SUGGESTED READING
cines, as well as progesterone antagonists are • Side effects of PGF 2a (occur 30-40 minutes Eilts BE: Pregnancy termination in the bitch and
effective treatments for misalliance in dogs. after injection; decrease with subsequent queen. Clin Tech Small Anim Pract 17:116-123,
Currently these products are not available injections) include salivation, panting, vomit- 2002.
in the United States. ing, defecation/diarrhea, and vocalization in AUTHOR: Julie T. Cecere, DVM, MS, DACT
queens.
Prevention EDITOR: Michelle A. Kutzler, DVM, PhD, DACT
• Effective physical control of cycling bitch Client Education
or queen during estrus • In the bitch or queen not intended for
breeding, ovariectomy or ovariohysterectomy

Preputial Discharge

BASIC INFORMATION • Urinary tract infection (UTI) DIAGNOSIS
• Prostatic disease
Definition Diagnostic Overview
Characterized by the presence of normal or Clinical Presentation The age of the animal helps differentiate
abnormal secretions from the penile sheath DISEASE FORMS/SUBTYPES juvenile-onset from adult-onset forms of
(prepuce). Juvenile onset versus adult onset preputial discharge. In younger dogs, the forms
are generally benign and involve hormonal
Synonym HISTORY, CHIEF COMPLAINT imbalances rather than infectious processes.
Penile discharge • Preputial or penile discharge Adult-onset forms are generally chronic and
• Excessive licking of prepuce require a thorough diagnostic workup.
Epidemiology • ± Preputial discomfort/pain
SPECIES, AGE, SEX • ± Visible lesions or abnormalities of the Differential Diagnosis
• Canine, male penis/prepuce • Clear/mucoid discharge
• Juvenile or adult • ± Urinary incontinence/distress (e.g., ○ Persistent penile frenulum
stranguria, hematuria, pollakiuria) ○ Hypospadias
GENETICS, BREED PREDISPOSITION • ± Constipation, ribbon-like stool, tenesmus ○ Traumatic penile adhesions
Intact males and brachycephalic breeds tend ○ Phimosis
to have more normal preputial discharge than PHYSICAL EXAM FINDINGS ○ Infectious (canine herpesvirus, calicivirus,
other dogs. Depends on cause abnormal microbiologic flora)
• Discharge (smegma, mucoid, purulent, or ○ Neoplasia
RISK FACTORS hemorrhagic) ○ Hormonal imbalance (e.g., puberty,
• Anatomic abnormalities (acquired or congenital) • Preputial anatomic abnormalities exogenous steroids)
• Hormonal imbalances (acquired or iatrogenic) • Preputial or penile lesions
• Poor hygiene/kennel management • Pain during manipulation
• Canine herpesvirus type 1 or Brucella canis • Atrophy of preputial opening
infection • Preputial mucosal vesicles (canine herpesvirus)
• Prostatic disease • Enlarged preputial/inguinal lymph nodes
• Hemostatic disorder (acquired vs. genetic) • Prostatomegaly
• Foreign body (e.g., grass awn) • Masses (transmissible venereal tumor [TVT])
• Systemic signs (e.g., lethargy, fever)
CONTAGION AND ZOONOSIS • Petechiation or bruising (hemostatic
Preputial discharge may be contagious if caused by defect)
canine herpesvirus type 1 or B. canis (zoonotic).
Etiology and Pathophysiology
GEOGRAPHY AND SEASONALITY • Normal preputial discharge
No geographic or seasonal trends have been ○ Small amount of yellow-white smegma
established. • Abnormal preputial discharge
○ Clear/mucoid (can be copious): hormone
ASSOCIATED DISORDERS imbalance in prepubertal dogs
• Balanitis (inflammation of the penis) ○ Hemorrhagic: coagulopathy, trauma,
• Balanoposthitis (inflammation of the penis neoplasia, prostatic or testicular disease PREPUTIAL DISCHARGE Normal preputial
and prepuce) ○ Purulent: infection, foreign body discharge in a prepubertal male dog.

www.ExpertConsult.com