Priapism secondary to perineal abscess in a dog - a case report

A 7-year-old intact male Boxer was referred to our services at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, suffering from a persistently erect penis (including the bulbus glandis) that had been exposed for several days. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations detected a 5.0 x 3.5 cm mass located dorso-laterally to the urinary bladder. The microbial culture of the mass revealed Staphylococcus spp. At that time, we suspected the involvement of an abscess in the origin of the priapism. Medical and surgical treatments were promptly instituted, which allowed for penile withdrawal into the prepuce; however, the resolution of the penile erection was not accomplished in the following days and penile amputation was required. Histological evaluation of the excised penis revealed extensive infarction of the erectile tissue of the pars longa and bulbus glandis, and also of the blood vessels of the penis. Following penile amputation and antimicrobial therapy, the animal fully recovered. Ultimately, the animal died as a consequence of gastric torsion. At necropsy, some lesions compatible with a previous perforation of the intestinal wall were recorded. The data gathered from the anamnesis, the physical and imaging examinations, along with the post-mortem findings, allowed us to conclude that in this clinical case the primary cause of priapism was a perineal abscess due to bowel perforation.