The male reproductive tract includes the testicles, prostate gland, other associated sex glands and the penis. While diseases of this system are very rare, several important conditions are commonly seen in veterinary practice.

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, often due to an infection that has extended from the skin or urinary bladder. This condition almost never occurs in the cat.

This condition occurs when the testicles do not descend to the scrotum where they were designed to be. It is the most common disorder of the male reproductive system. Testicles in the fetus start out near the kidneys and must travel through the abdomen, through the muscle wall and into the scrotum. They will be left either inside the abdomen or stuck in the groin area just under the skin. One or both testicles can be retained in this manner. If a cat has a testicle in the groin area, it is called inguinal cryptorchidism; abdominal cryptorchidism is the name for testicle(s) retained in the abdomen.

The condition is considered hereditary, and although cats can be weakly fertile and produce litters, it is not advised, as the trait will then be increased within the breed. Also, retained testicles are more likely to become cancerous later in life. Cryptorchidism can be diagnosed as early as 3-4 weeks of age; if both testes are not present by 4-6 months of age, they most likely never will be. There have been documented cases where testicles do fall into place later than 4 weeks, but almost never after 6 months. ((Cryptorchid Cat))

Neutering is always advised as this prevents later cancers as well as stops the breeding of defective cats. Although human males are surgically "corrected", it is considered unethical to do so in cats, if not even fraudulent, and thus, such procedures are not performed.

Some cats, especially older cats, will have shrinkage and softening of the testicles which will correlate with a decline and/or cessation of sperm production. The cause of this condition is unknown but probably relates to alterations in hormone production by various glands or can occur after an infection, inflammation or trauma of the testicles occurs. There is no treatment. Testicular atrophy will most often decrease the fertility of the male cat.

Epididymitis is inflammation of the duct and storage area closely attached to the testicle.

Orchitis is inflammation of the testicle itself. As the two areas are very closely associated, it would be almost impossible for either to occur alone.

Bite wounds and associated abscessation is the most common cause of this condition. Clinical signs include swelling of the epididymis or testicles, pain, heat, fluid swelling (edema) of the scrotum, a discharge from wound openings, licking of the testicles, fever, and poor appetite. Left untreated, and sometimes despite treatment, testicular atrophy can occur. Diagnosis is based on history, physical examination, cytology of semen, culture of the semen or from the testicles and blood counts.

Neutering (castration) is advised for all males, followed by several weeks of antibiotic therapy. If the cat is a valuable breeding animal, aggressive therapy may preserve fertility. General treatment for wounds/abscesses is always recommended.

Intersex disease occurs when there is a lack of exact gender definition within a cat, male or female. There are very few reports of this condition occurring in the cat and information is included here mostly for completeness. Two types of intersex disease are recognized:

HERMAPHRODITISM occurs when one testicle and one ovary are present, along with outward female genitalia.

PSEUDOHERMAPHRODITISIM occurs when gonads (ovaries or testes) of one sex are present while female or ambiguous genitalia appear outwardly. A male pseudohermaphrodite will have testicles and the female equivalent will have ovaries.

True hermaphrodites have chromosomal (genetic) abnormalities and literally are genetically "confused" as to whether they are male or female. Pseudohermaphroditism occurs most commonly due to altered hormonal synthesis or exposure of the pregnant female to drugs containing hormones.

The clinical signs or physical characteristics typical of intersex disorders are highly variable but can include the following: enlargement of the clitoris in the female, abnormal location of genital openings, female cats exhibiting male behaviors such as aggression, male cats attracting other male cats, breast enlargement in males, cryptorchidism, male infertility or female infertility, irregular heat cycles, urinary incontinence, and other signs compatible with endocrine abnormalities.

Diagnosis can be difficult but can be made through physical examination, X-rays, ultrasound analysis, biopsy and pathology of gonads, DNA testing and sometimes hormone analysis. Cats with these conditions can live a normal and comfortable life, but all should be neutered, no matter which gonads they have.

To successfully breed, a male cat must produce healthy sperm and be able to deliver that sperm to a female cat. While this may be a very simplistic definition of male reproductive function, this is the ultimate basics of male fertility. Thusly, disease or deformity of the testicles, spermatic ducts, prostate, other sex glands, penis, as well as alterations in hormone levels or other internal diseases can all lead to the inability to sire offspring.

It is then no short or simple issue to determine the cause of an infertile male cat. To compound the problem when breeding has not been successful, which partner is to blame? At first glance, either male or female could be the source of such a problem, and thusly, diagnosis must be very "Holmes-like".

To help the doctor narrow the possibilities it will be important to know if this cat has ever sired litters before? If so, how many? How many kittens were produced? Does the cat seem able to breed, and have there been any illnesses or symptoms that have gone uninvestigated in the last 6 months?

From there, a complete physical examination, blood counts, serum chemistries and endocrine (hormone) levels analyzed, semen analysis and even testicular biopsy may be needed. Without a thorough work-up, a diagnosis may be very elusive. It should be remembered that the failure to conceive could be a problem with the female cat and not the male.

Firstly, it will be nearly impossible to treat this problem without a proper diagnosis. Secondly, the treatment will vary with the root cause and may include antibiotic therapy, hormonal stimulation and other therapies. Treatment may not be successful, or, depending on cause, certain cats should not be bred anyway. Neutering is then advised.

HAIR RING: occasionally hair from long hair cats may encircle the penis and cause difficulties in mating. Treatment via removal of the hair will generally resolve the problem.

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©2007 James W. Day D.V.M., P.C.