High prevalence of ulcerative posthitis in Rasa Aragonesa rams associated with a legume-rich diet

J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med. 2005 May;52(4):176-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0442.2005.00709.x.

Abstract

This study describes an outbreak of ulcerative posthitis that eventually affected 76 of 80 of rams in a flock of Rasa Aragonesa sheep on a legume-rich diet. Lesions were confined to the prepuce and varied from mild hyperaemia to ulcerations. Corynebacterium renale was isolated from the lesions. Treatment of an initial group of 17 was based on a change of diet and topical treatment with Veterin Banedif with prednisolone once a day for 15 days and was successful. Lesions in this group were completely resolved after 15 days. The relationship between a legume-rich diet, ruminal alkalosis, elevated urine pH and posthitis is discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Feed
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Balanitis / drug therapy
  • Balanitis / epidemiology
  • Balanitis / veterinary*
  • Corynebacterium / isolation & purification
  • Corynebacterium Infections / drug therapy
  • Corynebacterium Infections / epidemiology
  • Corynebacterium Infections / veterinary*
  • Fabaceae / adverse effects*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Male
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Prevalence
  • Rumen / chemistry
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases / drug therapy
  • Sheep Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Sheep Diseases / pathology
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Ulcer / drug therapy
  • Ulcer / epidemiology
  • Ulcer / veterinary*
  • Urine / chemistry
  • Urine / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Prednisolone