Signs of Sexual Abuse

• Suspicions are based on behaviour of owner, admission by perpetrator, statements of witnesses, and/or the type of injury – sometimes there may be little evident damage.
• Vaginal/vulvar injuries caused by penile or foreign body penetration
  • Vaginal/uterine tears
  • Hemorrhage
  • Genital bruising
  • Presence of human semen
  • Presence of foreign body
    • Tampons, spoons, broom handles, knives, etc.
• Anorectal penetrative injuries
  • Anal inflammation or bruising
  • Anal or rectal tears
  • Presence of human semen
  • Presence of foreign objects
• Ligatures around animal’s penis or base of scrotum

For more information please see ‘Battered pets’: sexual abuse – Munro and Thrusfield, J Small Animal Practice 2001 42:333-337

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