A case of testicular torsion in an intact Cane Corso


   

A case of testicular torsion in an intact Cane Corso 
Nichole Whitfill, Aime Johnson, Robyn Wilborn, Marty Greera 

College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 
aVeterinary Village, Lomira, WI 

 
A 1.5 year old intact male Cane Corso presented with bilateral hind limb lameness of 3 days 

duration and scrotal swelling of 1.5 days duration. On examination, moderate scrotal swelling was 
appreciable and right testis was twice the size of left. Increased turgidity and pain were present on 
palpation of right testis, whereas left testis was normal on palpation. Differential diagnoses included 
testicular torsion, trauma, brucellosis, and neoplasia. Based on clinical presentation and the acute nature 
of symptoms in this case, a testicular torsion was placed at top of the differential list. Canine testicular 
torsion most commonly results from cryptorchidism with associated neoplasia. Testicular torsions of 
scrotal testes are less common.1 Regardless of origin, rotation of testis compromises venous return and 
leads to interstitial hemorrhage, local ischemia, testicular infarction, and eventual necrosis of the gonad.2 
Clinical signs of testicular torsion can include lethargy, stiffness or lameness of the hind limbs, pyrexia, 
pain, enlarged testis, and visible scrotal swelling.2,3 Ultrasonography with Doppler is useful in diagnosing 
testicular torsion via identification of compromised blood flow to affected testis.1-3 Client expressed no 
interest in preserving the patient’s breeding capacity and a bilateral orchiectomy was performed. Right 
testis was enlarged and dark purple, suggestive of congestion, ischemia, and edema. Gross appearance of 
left testis was normal. Histopathology of right testis had marked congestion with hemorrhage, edema, and 
thrombosis within spermatic cord to the level of epididymis with marked interstitial edema in 
seminiferous tubules. Surgical recovery and healing were uneventful and the patient achieved complete 
resolution of clinical signs. This case demonstrated the diagnosis and treatment of scrotal testicular 
torsion, considered a rare event in dogs. 

Keywords: Canine, testicle, torsion, intact, scrotum, swelling 

References 
1.  Young, AC: Two cases of intrascrotal torsion of a normal testicle. Journal of Small Animal Practice 1979; 20:229-231.  
2.  Viliotti, Tatiane Alexandre Azevedo, et al: Testicular Torsion in the Scrotum of a Young Canine. Acta Scientiae 

Veterinariae 2018;46:6. 
3.  Boothe HW: Diseases of the Testes and Epididymides. In: Handbook of Small Animal Practice, 5th edition, 

Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. p. 575.  
 
 
 

505 Clinical Theriogenology • Volume 11,  Number 3 • September 2019



506Clinical Theriogenology • Volume 11,  Number 3 • September 2019


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