Report of phimosis in an Andean Bear Tremarctos ornatus (Mammalia: Carnivora: Ursidae) and ultrasonographic description of the male genitourinary system

Authors

  • Aléxia Pimenta Bom-Conselho Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9941-6459
  • Agatha Campinho Belsito Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, BR-465, Km 7, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2593-2918
  • Arthur Carlos Trindade Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, BR-465, Km 7, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0824-6235
  • Ciro Alexandre Teixeira Cruvinel Bioparque do Rio, Parque da Quinta da Boa Vista s/n, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20940-040, Brazil.
  • Pedro Nacib Jorge-Neto Reprocon Institute, Rua Joao Vieira de Meneses, 1064, Campo Grande, MS 79052-280, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5894-0148
  • Cristiane Schilbach Pizzutto Laboratory of Ecology and Evolution, Instituto Butantan, Av. Dr. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, SP 05503-900, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4357-5133

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9477.18.4.28668-28672

Keywords:

Accessory glands, animal welfare, captive management, conservation medicine, one conservation, preputial trauma, reproductive pathology, Spectacled Bear, testicular parenchyma

Abstract

The Andean Bear is classified as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of data on the species’ reproduction and reproductive pathologies. General anesthesia was administered to assess the health of a 16-year-old male individual weighing 161 kg, housed in a zoological institution. Anesthesia was induced using ketamine (7 mg/kg; im), butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg; im), midazolam (0.3 mg/kg; im), and dexmedetomidine (0.007 mg/kg; im). It was maintained with 1% isoflurane. During the clinical evaluation, a phimosis condition, secondary to a traumatic injury, was observed for the first time in this species. Ultrasonography of the reproductive system revealed the left testicle measured 3.87 x 2.27 cm and the right testicle measured 3.66 x 2.16 cm. Both testicles exhibited irregular hyperechoic areas. The prostate measured 1.77 x 3.11 cm. The penile urethra measured approximately 0.5 cm, and the penile bone, an elongated structure, measured 4 x 0.8 cm.

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Published

26-04-2026

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 4 (2026)

Section

Communications

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Copyright (c) 2026 Aléxia Pimenta Bom-Conselho, Agatha Campinho Belsito, Arthur Carlos Trindade, Ciro Alexandre Teixeira Cruvinel, Pedro Nacib Jorge-Neto, Cristiane Schilbach Pizzutto

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