Penile Amputation in Dogs

Penile amputation is a surgical procedure to remove the penis of a male dog. This can be done in first opinion practice by a skilled surgeon or at a referral center.  Penile amputation renders a dog incapable of mating. 

Penile tumors are rare and fortunately, penile amputation is rarely required. Additionally, conditions such as priapism or trauma to the penis may respond to prompt medical intervention, and therefore surgery is an option of last resort when damaged tissue is beyond salvage.

The patient is given a full general anesthetic. The sheath and belly is clipped and aseptically prepared for surgery. The surgeon passes a urinary catheter into the urethra. This allows them to identify the urethra, which needs to be sutured in such a way as to be patent in the penile stump to allow the dog to urinate. (An alternative technique is to combine a penile amputation with a procedure, urethrostomy, which creates a stoma in the urethra behind the scrotum). 

Depending on the level of the amputation, the sheath may need to be incised to expose the penis. A tourniquet may be applied if bleeding is anticipated to be excessive. The surgeon dissects circumferentially around the penis down to the level of the urethra. Pressure is applied with sterile swabs to reduce hemorrhage. 

The soft tissue of the stump is sutured to the urethra. This creates a seal which reduces bleeding and it also ensures the dog has a patent urethra to urinate through. 

The tourniquet is removed, the sheath sutured, and the patient woken from the anesthetic. 

This is a highly efficacious surgery which, although a salvage procedure, allows the dog to go on to lead a normal life. When surgery is performed because of cancer, the procedure can remove the tumor and, if done early enough, could prevent spread. 

For conditions such as priapism or paramphisosis, prompt action to reduce the erection or replace the penis within the sheath can avert the need for radical surgery. 

Pain relief following surgery is essential. It's critical the dog doesn't lick or chew the surgical site, and must therefore wear a cone until healing is complete after approximately two weeks. A urinary catheter may be left in place for several days after the surgery, to ease the discomfort and to keep the urethra patent and reduce the risk of stricture formation, at a time when there is considerable soft tissue swelling. 

Immediate complications include hemorrhage post-surgery or infection of the operation site. Longer term complications include scar tissue formation which could occlude the urethra and prevent urination. 

If recovery is uneventful the dog should be able to function normally by the two-week point. 

The cost of penile amputation could range from $600 to $2,500. This will depend on whether the procedure was to remove traumatized tissue or as part of a wider surgery to remove bladder stones and perform a urethrostomy.  A traumatized penis may require emergency surgery which then involves costs of out of hours services, where an average fee of $200 to $300 for a consultation is normal. 

Penile amputation may be the only realistic option for some dogs. If the penis is sufficiently damaged, the dog cannot urinate then emergency surgery is necessary. For those with a penile tumor there is a sense of urgency in order to reduce the risk of spread. 

Once performed, penile amputation is permanent. Once the patient is recovered from surgery they can lead a normal life, however, there is a slight risk of a structure forming if scar tissue forms. This may necessitate revisional surgery. In extreme cases euthanasia may be necessary. 

Transmissible venereal tumors are spread via coitus. This growths can become large and cauliflower like, and there is a risk of secondary spread. Avoidance of coitus vastly reduces the risk of infection, and therefore desexing intact dogs is advisable. 

Keeping the hair trimmed from around the sheath can reduce the probability of an erect penis getting trapped and strangulated. 

Prompt diagnosis of the underlying cause of bloody urine can prevent bladder stones passing into the urethra and necessitating surgery of the penis to remove stones from the urethra.