Management of Urogenital Injury and Disease in the Bull: The Scrotum and Its Contents

Introduction

Surgical and medical management of injuries and other problems of the scrotum and the testes are of value only if they result in restoration of fertility. Additionally, economic considerations are paramount and the ability of our clients to make informed decisions is dependent on both a valid prognosis and a cost effective treatment, which in turn are dependent on effective diagnostics and practical surgical remedies.

Most maladies of the scrotum and its contents can be effectively diagnosed with a good physical examination. Adjunct diagnostic modalities such as ultrasound (+/- Doppler), radiology, and thermography can provide additional information that further refines the diagnosis and more importantly the prognosis. Evaluation of the spermiogram can provide clues with reference to the duration of the insult and potentially the prognosis.

Regional anesthesia techniques that can be utilized for surgeries of the scrotum, as well as penis and prepuce will be described. The combination of sedation and regional anesthesia allows these surgeries to be performed on a standard hydraulic or manual (tilt) table.

Following successful surgical intervention, most bulls can return to service within two to three months. Most of the pathology that is seen is identified either late in the breeding season or after bulls are removed from the herd at the end of breeding season allowing the recovery time to coincide with the bull’s down-time. [...]