Paraphimosis Figure 1

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

photos of paraphimosis in rat

The photos 1 through 3 above show paraphimosis in this rat.

Case history and photos courtesy of Bellaratta’s Nest Rattery

Cross-references

Linked from

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