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Frontiers in veterinary science2025; 12; 1613601; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1613601

Neoplastic and non-neoplastic swellings of the external genitalia in horses and donkeys: clinical, histopathological, and treatment outcomes.

Abstract: External genitalia swellings represent diagnostic and treatment challenges in equids. Thus, the present study aimed to describe the clinical, histopathological, and treatment outcomes of external genitalia swellings in horses and donkeys. Unassigned: Seventy-five equids (49 horses and 26 donkeys) from 6 months to 8 years were enrolled based on the clinical evidence of external genital swellings. The descriptive details, including sex, age, lesion location, and treatment outcomes, for each case were recorded and analyzed. Unassigned: Twenty forms of external genital swellings were recorded and classified into neoplastic ( = 32; 42.67%) and non-neoplastic ( = 43; 57.33%) swellings. The non-neoplastic swellings included inflammatory ( = 30; 69.77%) and non-inflammatory lesions ( = 13; 30.23%). The neoplastic swellings were leiomyoma (4.00%), fibroma (1.33%), fibropapilloma (5.33%), squamous cell carcinoma (9.33%), sarcoid (14.67%), and melanoma (8.00%). The inflammatory forms included pythiosis (9.33%), balanitis (4.00%), posthitis (5.33%), balanoposthitis (6.67%), penile hematoma (2.67%), preputial hematoma (4.00%), orchitis (4.00%), vaginal hyperplasia (1.33%), and vulvitis (2.67%). The non-inflammatory forms involved Bartholin gland cyst (2.67%), persistent hymen (2.67%), hermaphrodite (1.33%), hydrocele (6.67%), and inguinal hernia (4.00%). According to the type of swelling, the treatment protocol was applied, even with conservative or surgical treatment. Sixty-seven cases (89.33%) of the treated animals were completely recovered. However, euthanasia was recommended for three cases (4.00%) with infiltrative neoplastic masses, and five cases (6.67%) died from unrelated causes to the operation. Unassigned: Accurate early diagnosis and assessment of the external genitalia swellings can offer veterinarians the opportunity for more precise prognosis and treatment decisions guidance for such challenging cases that affect the reproductive performance of horses and donkeys.
Copyright © 2025 El-Shafaey, Hamed, Amin, Alkhodair, Shousha, Aljazzar, El Sebaei and Mosbah.
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Publication Date: 2025-08-05 PubMed ID: 40838143PubMed Central: PMC12363364DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1613601Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study examined different types of swellings on the external genitalia of horses and donkeys, describing their clinical signs, tissue characteristics under a microscope, and treatment outcomes.
  • The research aimed to improve diagnosis and treatment to better manage these conditions, which can impact animal reproductive health.

Study Design and Subjects

  • Included 75 equids: 49 horses and 26 donkeys, aged between 6 months and 8 years, presenting with external genital swellings.
  • Data collected: animal sex, age, lesion location, clinical descriptions, and treatment outcomes.
  • Lesions were classified into two main categories: neoplastic (tumorous) and non-neoplastic (non-tumorous).

Types of Swellings Identified

  • Neoplastic swellings (32 cases; 42.67%):
    • Leiomyoma (benign smooth muscle tumor) – 4%
    • Fibroma (benign fibrous tissue tumor) – 1.33%
    • Fibropapilloma (wart-like tumor) – 5.33%
    • Squamous cell carcinoma (malignant skin tumor) – 9.33%
    • Sarcoid (common skin tumor in horses) – 14.67%
    • Melanoma (pigment cell tumor) – 8%
  • Non-neoplastic swellings (43 cases; 57.33%) were further divided into:
    • Inflammatory swellings (30 cases; 69.77% of non-neoplastic):
      • Pythiosis (fungal infection) – 9.33%
      • Balanitis (inflammation of the penis) – 4%
      • Posthitis (inflammation of the prepuce) – 5.33%
      • Balanoposthitis (inflammation of both penis and prepuce) – 6.67%
      • Penile hematoma (blood accumulation) – 2.67%
      • Preputial hematoma – 4%
      • Orchitis (testicular inflammation) – 4%
      • Vaginal hyperplasia (excess tissue growth) – 1.33%
      • Vulvitis (inflammation of the vulva) – 2.67%
    • Non-inflammatory swellings (13 cases; 30.23%):
      • Bartholin gland cyst – 2.67%
      • Persistent hymen – 2.67%
      • Hermaphrodite condition (intersex) – 1.33%
      • Hydrocele (fluid around the testicle) – 6.67%
      • Inguinal hernia (protrusion of abdominal contents) – 4%

Treatment Approaches and Outcomes

  • Treatment protocols were selected based on the type of swelling:
    • Conservative management for less severe or inflammatory conditions.
    • Surgical interventions were applied for many cases, especially neoplastic masses.
  • Results:
    • 67 animals (89.33%) recovered completely after treatment.
    • 3 animals (4%) were euthanized due to extensive infiltrative neoplastic tumors that could not be managed successfully.
    • 5 animals (6.67%) died from causes unrelated to the treatments or surgical procedures.

Significance and Conclusions

  • The study highlights the complexity of diagnosing and treating external genital swellings in horses and donkeys.
  • Early and accurate diagnosis leveraging clinical and histopathological assessments can guide better treatment choices, improving prognosis.
  • Effective management of these swellings is important for maintaining reproductive capability and overall animal health.
  • Veterinarians are advised to consider both neoplastic and inflammatory/non-inflammatory causes when evaluating genital swellings for tailored interventions.

Cite This Article

APA
El-Shafaey ES, Hamed M, Amin Y, Alkhodair KM, Shousha S, Aljazzar A, El Sebaei MG, Mosbah E. (2025). Neoplastic and non-neoplastic swellings of the external genitalia in horses and donkeys: clinical, histopathological, and treatment outcomes. Front Vet Sci, 12, 1613601. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1613601

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Pages: 1613601
PII: 1613601

Researcher Affiliations

El-Shafaey, El-Sayed
  • Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Dakahlia, Egypt.
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery, Salam Veterinary Group, Buraydah, Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
Hamed, Mohammed
  • Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Dakahlia, Egypt.
Amin, Yahia
  • Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt.
Alkhodair, Khalid M
  • Department of Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Shousha, Saad
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Aljazzar, Ahmed
  • Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
El Sebaei, Mahmoud G
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Mosbah, Esam
  • Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Dakahlia, Egypt.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The reviewer MS declared a shared affiliation with the author YA.

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