Penile fibropapilloma in a Belgian Blue breeding bull

Penile fibropapilloma or a penile wart associated with bovine papillomavirus-1, is a neoplastic disease frequently encountered in young bulls. Penile warts can cause paraphimosis or phimosis, and can impede copulation and overall breeding performance. In this case report, the diagnostic approach and surgical treatment of large penile masses are described in a 2.5-year-old Belgian Blue breeding bull, with the inability to copulate. During clinical examination, the exteriorization of the penis proved to be impossible. A bilateral internal pudendal nerve block completely desensitized the penis, subsequently facilitating exteriorization and examination. The neoplastic masses were highly suggestive to be fibropapillomas and were surgically removed. An autogenous vaccine derived from the excised masses was produced by the laboratory Dierengezondheidzorg Vlaanderen (DGZ) and administered to the bull to reduce potential recurrence of the warts. After a month of sexual rest, the bull was able to resume breeding and produced viable offspring.