Unusual Penile Prolapse with an Infectious Background Caused by the Burkholderia cepacia Complex in a Stallion

Penile prolapse is a disease manifested by an inability to retract the penis into the preputial sheath. It is reported in a variety of animal species, especially in young and intact males. However, penile prolapse in horses is commonly caused by trauma, sexual activity, pseudohermaphroditism, or neurological deficits, and less often by an infectious background. The present case report aimed to determine the etiological factor of penis infection associated with penile prolapse in a stallion in Poland. Our report indicates that the infectious background of penile prolapse was related to the Burkholderia cepacia complex. Based on antibiotic susceptibility results, the stallion was administered effective streptomycin and enrofloxacin treatment and recovered without complications. The following options are likely to be the infection source: contamination of hay or animal hygiene products. Finally, given its ability to grow in antiseptic solutions, difficulties in culturing, and innate multidrug resistance, this microorganism is currently a challenge to both detection and treatment in veterinary medicine cases.