Occlusion of the corpus cavernosum penis in bulls intended for estrus detection: 18 cases (2002-2016)

OBJECTIVE To report surgical and long-term postoperative outcomes of bulls undergoing surgical occlusion of the corpus cavernosum penis (CCP) by acrylic injection and epididymectomy with or without penile fixation as preparation for use in estrus detection. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 18 client-owned bulls. PROCEDURES Medical records of bulls that underwent CCP occlusion between December 2002 and March 2016 were identified. Signalment, surgical data, and reported complications were recorded. Long-term (> 6 months after surgery) follow-up data were obtained from medical records or by telephone interview of bull owners with a questionnaire focused on postoperative outcome, use of the bull for estrus detection, and overall satisfaction with the procedure. RESULTS Intraoperative complications included difficulty isolating the penis, polymerization of the acrylic prior to injection, incomplete anesthesia of the surgical site, and fecal contamination of the site. Deposition of acrylic in an improper location led to urethral obstruction and euthanasia of 1 bull; another developed an abscess that was treated successfully. One bull was euthanized because of orchitis. Most (15/18) bulls were used for estrus detection (mean duration, 17.9 months). Libido was considered good or very good for 14 of 15 bulls; 1 was culled for loss of libido after 14 months. Ten of 12 bulls were reportedly unable to protrude the penis; 2 had or developed partial protrusion ability. Overall client satisfaction was high. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In this population of healthy young bulls, CCP occlusion was generally well tolerated. Most bulls that underwent CCP occlusion (and epididymectomy with or without penile fixation) had adequate libido, and none were reported able to achieve intromission.