Penile hematoma in bulls: 60 cases (1979-1990)

Sixty bulls with penile hematomas were examined from 1979 through 1990. Thirty-eight bulls underwent surgical correction, 17 bulls were managed by medical treatment, and 5 bulls were not treated. Hereford and Polled Hereford breeds represented the majority (n = 37, 62%) of the bulls, with 10 other breeds representing the remainder (n = 21, 35%) in this study; breed was not reported in 2 bulls. Follow-up information was obtained from owners (40/60) through conversation on the success or failure of treatment, interval of sexual rest, duration of breeding soundness, and final outcome of the bull. Surgical correction was successful in 19 (70%) of 27 cases; medical treatment was successful in 6 (46%) of 13 cases. Of the 8 bulls that had penile hematomas with swelling measuring > 20 cm in width, 6 were successfully treated surgically, compared with 1 of 3 successfully treated medically. Of the bulls with penile hematomas having a swelling measuring < or = 20 cm in width, 7 of 9 were successfully treated surgically, compared with 4 of 5 successfully treated medically. Duration of the penile hematoma had little effect on the success of surgical correction. Of the bulls allowed sexual rest for > 2 months after treatment was initiated, 6 (25%) of 24 had a recurrence of penile hematoma. Four (40%) of 10 bulls allowed sexual rest for < or = 2 months had a recurrence of penile hematoma.