The application of an electrophysiological bulbocavernosus reflex test in male dogs

The electrophysiological bulbocavernosus reflex test consists of recording the electromyographic activity of the bulbocavernosus muscle following electrical stimulation of the glans penis. This study has been carried out to show the applicability of the electrophysiologic bulbocavernosus reflex (EBCR) in dogs and to determine its normal latency value. Ten healthy male dogs were used. Responses to stimulation of the bulbus glandis were recorded from the left bulbocavernosus muscle with a concentric needle-recording electrode. In 10 dogs of maximum size 31 kg and maximum age 3 years, EBCR had response latencies between 17.6 and 28.8 ms with the mean value of 24.4 ms. The results of this study show that the electrophysiological bulbocavernosus reflex test could be employed as a routine diagnostic method in small animal clinics for evaluation of the sacral reflex arc. Among several advantages are easy applicability and the objective result, with the latency exceeding 29 ms not being seen in the dogs used in our study.