Common disorders affecting sheep - Rams
By Admin, on March 25th, 2011
Urinary Calculi
(Water Belly)
- most often seen in feedlot lambs (rams and wethers)
- restlessness, repeated straining and grunting, kicking at belly
- abdomen will begin to swell (water belly)
- animal will begin to show signs of toxicity and die if urine if not passed
Cause/Transmission
- obstruction of penis by kidney stones (solid particles in urine form into masses)
- stones prevent passage of urine
Treatment
- contact your veterinarian
Prevention
- Calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) balance in diet is important in minimizing problem (if P in diet is higher than Ca more likely to have problems)
- always provide ample clean water (lack of water concentrates urine)
Epididymitis
- semen quality is affected, decreasing fertility in rams (poor conception in ewes)
- signs vary depending on severity of injury and bacteria involved, one or both testicles may be affected
- acute infections will cause testicles to enlarge rapidly, ram may have abnormal gait due to pain
- chronic infections may cause abscesses to form in the testicles and epididymis, leaving lumps and obstuctions.
- some chronic infections may have no associated pain
Cause/Transmission
- bacterial infection resulting from injury
Treatment
Prevention
- difficult to prevent as the testicles in rams are prone to injury and infection (large and close to the ground), however, examination for abnormal swelling before breeding will help prevent reproductive losses.
- it is advisable to cull rams with abnormal testicles.
Sheath Rot
(Pizzle Rot)
- most often seen in animals on a high protein diet (concentrate or legume pasture)
- swelling and possible obstruction of prepuce
- irritation of surrounding area
Cause/Transmission
- irritation of sheath and prepuce from urine and ammonia
- bacterial infection in the area results
Treatment
- clean scabs, urine and pus from affected area
Prevention
- if this is a frequent problem, consider modifying the diet
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