Diagnosis of Epididymitis and Orchitis in Dogs
When the veterinarian is performing her physical exam, she will carefully palpate the scrotum to see which structures are affected. If there is swelling, palpation may not be possible. If this occurs, the veterinarian may need to sedate your dog and ultrasound his scrotum to better evaluate what structures are involved. She may want to take radiographs for an additional view of the scrotum and to ensure nothing else is going on.
Blood work will be performed to give the veterinarian a look at how the internal organs are functioning and to rule out other possible causes of his symptoms. A complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel will provide the veterinarian with needed information. In addition , a packed cell volume (PCV) may also be performed to determine hydration status.
A rule out test should be included in the veterinarian’s diagnostic process. Testing for Brucella canis infection needs to be performed to rule it out as a cause of your dog’s symptoms. Semen will need to be collected and examined with a bacterial and mycoplasmal culture. If your dog is experiencing pain and swelling, collection may prove to be difficult so other methods may be considered.
If an open wound is present, it should be checked for bacterial infection. A bacterial culture may also be taken of the prostate, as well as of the fluid in the testes. Semen should also be collected and tested.
White blood cell counts may be high in cases of infectious orchitis. If the root cause is prostatitis or cystitis, a urinalysis will likely reveal blood, pus, or excess proteins in the urine. Antibody testing should determine if an infectious organism is at the root of the problem. Ultrasounds of the prostate, testes, and epididymis may also be performed to rule out other causes.
Acute forms of this condition are most often caused by trauma to the scrotum. Epididymitis and orchitis can also be triggered by infectious organisms, as well as by other conditions, including viral causes (i.e., distemper), infections associated with inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) and inflammation of the bladder (cystitis). Bite wounds on any area of the body can also lead to the development of epididymitis or orchitis.
Prompt treatment of wounds and preventing infections are the best weapons against epididymitis and orchitis. It is also best to keep your dog in good health, while visiting your veterinarian regularly for progress checks.
The symptoms of epididymitis and orchitis can be localized in the area of the scrotum. These include:
Causes of Epididymitis and Orchitis in Dogs
Causes of epididymitis and orchitis can be caused by trauma, infection or torsion. The infection can be caused by a fungal agent, bacteria, or virus. The infection can originate in the blood or in the urine itself. Other possible causes can include immune mediated conditions, neoplasia, spermatocele or granuloma formation.
Epididymitis and Orchitis in Dogs | Wag!
Orchitis is an inflammatory condition of the testicles or testes in dogs. This may be unilateral (one) or bilateral (both) testicles. On the presentation of clinical signs, Orchitis can be acute and symptomatic or asymptomatic and chronic.
Isolated orchitis is uncommon and it is often associated with epididymitis, which is inflammation of the epididymis (testicular tube where sperm is stored) since the two structures are so closely related.
Canine orchitis is typically caused by a bacterial or viral infection where the pathogens infiltrate the testes via the prostatic secretions, urine, mucus membranes, blood, or wounds. Other causes of orchitis include immune-mediated conditions, fungal infections, tick-borne diseases, neoplasia, granuloma formation, or spermatocele.
Male Intact dogs that mostly roam outdoors are at increased risk for developing orchitis. Older intact male dogs with a history of urinary tract infections or chronic prostatic infections are also at risk. If left unchecked or untreated, the condition has long-term effects resulting in irreversible damage to reproductive systems, causing infertility.
Mild Orchitis often gets cleared on its own and it just requires keeping the genital area clean. If needed, topical antibiotics and antiseptic flushes can be applied.
Treatment for mild forms of orchitis in dogs can be done quite easily, and in most cases is very effective.
Proper examination of the genitals for infections, lacerations, and tumors is necessary. Sedation or anesthesia of the animal is required for a thorough examination, particularly if the dog feels pain in the area.
An appropriate diagnosis of this disease is always best left to your vet to make sure that it is not progressing into a serious form.
Optimizing your pet’s overall health should be the top priority for preventing problems in his genitals from happening in the first place.
Exercise: Right amount of exercise is needed, low-intensity exercise leash walking, short hikes, and indoor games.
Hygiene: Usually dogs self-clean their genitals, but there will be times you may need to clean those using non-scented wipes or just give a quick rinse in running water.
Mortality associated with orchitis is not documented. A swollen testicle with or without pain can be testicular cancer, so it should be diagnosed immediately.
The prognosis of a full recovery for your dog is good. Most dogs suffering from orchitis get well completely with no long-lasting effects. The underlying cause is to be identified and treated properly.
Mild Orchitis or Epididymitis – Dogs start to recover within a few days but sometimes, it may take up to 2 weeks to fully recover.