Figure 1: Paraphimosis in a 7-week-old rat.
Case history and photos
History
This is a 7-week-old male rat who was hand raised from birth.
Clinical Signs
Head of penis unable to retract into sheath. Penis very dry and red. Rat licking the penis in a frantic manner.
Diagnosis
Idiopathic paraphimosis. There is a possibility that developmental delays due to being hand raised may have had something to do with this.
Treatment
His penis was lubricated 4 times a day with antibiotic ointment to prevent drying and infection. Penis was pushed out slightly further during the application of the ointment to make sure that some of it would get back into the sheath.
Outcome
Within 2 days the penis retracted. Two weeks later the penis got stuck out again and was treated in the same way. That episode resolved within a few days, also.
The concern at this point was that this become a chronic issue that would eventually need surgical intervention.
The rat has not had another occurrence of paraphimosis, since. At 12 weeks the rat was neutered. It is not known if this may have helped the condition from becoming chronic.
Photos
 The photos 1 through 3 above show paraphimosis in this rat. |
Case history and photos courtesy of Bellaratta’s Nest Rattery
