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Orchitis, Periorchitis, and Epididymitis
ОглавлениеOrchitis is uncommon in bulls and usually unilateral. Infection is often subclinical but rarely may range to severe and perhaps suppurative [12, 13]. The route of infection is primarily hematogenous but penetrating wounds of the scrotum are also possible. The dense fibrous tunica albuginea surrounding the testicle limits this organ's potential for enlargement and therefore there is usually not significant testicular swelling. However, when infection involves the surrounding tunica vaginalis (periorhitis), significant scrotal enlargement can occur. The affected side may also be warm and painful to the touch, with pain significant enough to alter the gate of the bull [12].
Epididymitis occurs more commonly than orchitis in bulls and may be diagnosed by thorough examination of the testes and scrotal contents [14–16]. The condition is often unilateral in the bull and may present as a swollen painful epididymal tail in the acute phase of the disease. Chronic epididymitis usually results in epididymal tails that are small and firm, and infertility is often caused by their eventual obstruction.