Acute Acquired Penile Paraphimosis in a Three-Month-Old German Shepherd Puppy

Abstract

Paraphimosis is a urological emergency characterized by the inability to retract the extruded penis into the preputial cavity. This case report describes acute acquired paraphimosis in a 7kg, 3-month-old intact male German Shepherd puppy presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The puppy had been transported over a distance of approximately 135km following a dog-training session, and penile protrusion was noted by the owner approximately 12 hours after its return. Clinical examination revealed a hyperaemic, oedematous, non-retractable penis measuring 8cm in length, with multiple haemorrhagic ecchymoses. Rectal temperature was 39.5°C. Haematological evaluation revealed mild non-regenerative normocytic normochromic anaemia with normal erythrocyte indices and mild hypoproteinaemia. The condition was successfully resolved using the conservative protocol of gently cleaning the exposed penis, application of hypertonic sugar solution to induce osmotic oedema reduction, cold compression with ice packs to promote vasoconstriction, topical gentamicin ointment for lubrication and prophylaxis, followed by manual penile replacement in the prepuce. Parenteral amoxicillin (20 mg/kg) was administered for 7 consecutive days with full recovery achieved without surgical intervention. This report documents one of the youngest known cases of acquired paraphimosis in dogs and highlights the importance of prompt veterinary intervention to achieve favourable outcomes regardless of the patient's age. Paraphimosis should therefore be regarded as an emergency in all male dogs, including prepubertal puppies.