Farm animals 2 Flashcards
Describe the sitting examination of the genitalia for the breeding soundness examination of a ram
- Must sit squarely to fully extreude penis
- Examine inner thighs for flush
- Check for vasectomy scars
- Examine prepuce for injuries, ulcers, deformities
- Examine glands and vermiform appendage for injuries, ulcers etc. and to prove penis can be fully extended
Explain the role of chorioptic mange in infertility of rams
- May cause inflammation of the scrotum
- Increases local temperature, causes damage to sperm
What is required for an infertility investigation of a ram?
- Full breeding soundness examination
- Semen evaluation
- Ultrasound examination
What certification would be appropriate for the following findings in an infertility examination of a ram?
- General physical exam: normal
- External genitalia normal and scrotal circumference acceptable
- Good semen sample produced
Ram can be used with confidence
What certification would be appropriate for the following findings in an infertility examination of a ram?
- General physical exam: abnormal but minor/curable
- External genitalia abnormal but minor/curable
- No/poor semen sample produced
Not able to decide at this examination
What certification would be appropriate for the following findings in an infertility examination of a ram?
- General physical exam: abnormal and not suitable for breeding
- External genitalia abnormal
- Poor semen sample produced
Ram is not suitable for breeding
Discuss the value of a semen sample for infertility investigation of a ram
- Single sample not always representative of the state of the ram
- Do not condemn ram based on semen sampling alone, some do not want to give sample
What is the potential outcome for a ram that is deemed not perfect but still fertile?
- Can’t afford to cull all of these, but not suited o high pressure situations
- May be ok with low ewe numbers, or in mating groups
What scenarios are appropriate for a ram deemed perfect at fertility examination?
Good for high pressure situations so can be used for single sire mating, or with large numbers/synchronised ewes
Which rams are predisposed to urolithiasis?
Mainly fattening wethers or young rams
Describe the development of urolithiasis in rams
- Precipitation of insoluble salts of Mg, NH4 and phosphates
- Form sludge with protein in urinary tract
Outline the clinical signs of urolithiasis in rams
- Abdominal pain and anorexia
- teeth grinding, bleating
- Stranguria/anuria
- Crystals around preputial orifice
- Swollen prepuce
- Wide based stance, HL back, frequent stretching
Where does urolithiasis most commonly occur in rams?
Either at ischial arch or vermiform appendage
What is a potential consequence of urolithiasis in rams?
- Bladder rarely ruptures, but urine leaks out into peritoneum
- Hydronephrosis of right kidney
Outline the risk factors for urolithiasis in rams
- High concentrate feeding (high P availability e.g. feeding on ewe cake)
- Low forage intake
- High P or Mg in diet
- ow ratio of Ca:P (increases P absorption)
- Low water intake
- Texels predisposed
Outline the treatment options for urolithiasis in rams
- Encourage lots of drinking
- Muscle relaxants
- Retrograde catheterisation
- Excision of vermiform appendage
- Surgery rarely useful as salvage
- Consider NH4Cl/NaCl in feed (encourage drinking)
Discuss the preventionof urolithiasis in rams
- Feed less concentrate, more forage
- Ensure adequate water intake
- Feed low P, low Mg
- Ensure ratio of Ca:P at least 2:1, preferably 3:1
- Include 1.5% salt in diet to increase water intake (total Na content 6g/kg DM)
- Include 1.5% NH4Cl in diet to acidify urine
What is balanoposthitis in the ram also known as?
Pizzle rot, sheath rot, ulcerative balanitis, ulcerative posthitis
Describe the cause balanoposthitis in rams
- Corynebacterium renale, and high dietary protein
- C renale produces urease which hydrolyses urea to ammonia
Which group of rams are predisposed to balanoposthitis and why?
Wethers - penis less developed, more likely to urinate into prepuce, fed on high protein
Describe the clinical signs of balanoposthitis
- Small necrotic ulcers at sheath margin initially
- Painful, swollen sheath
- Strong smell of ammonia
- Sheep recumebnt and inappetant
- Increased risk of fly strike
Outline the treatment and control of balanoposthitis in rams
- Reduce protein in diet
- reduce feed intake, increase water intake
- Acidify urine using NH4Cl per os
- Give topical antiseptc and systemic antibiotics
Describe the relationship between balanoposthitis and vulvovaginitis in sheep
- Reports of vulvovaginitis in ewes associated with Myoplasma
- Balanitis of unknown aetiology (deep ulcer on glans penis) associated with vulvitis (ulcers and oedema) in ewes after mating
- Little effect on fertility
What non-hormonal method may be used to synchronise and advance breeding season of ewes?
The ram effect - introduce rams just before natural breeding season
How can the synchonicity resulting from the ram effect be improved?
Treat with progesterone before, or at time of introduction of rams
What commercially available pharmaceutical options are available for advancing the breeding season of ewes?
- Progestagen based methods alone e.g. sponges
- Progestagen based methods with follicle stimulating treatment e.g. PMSG/eCG
- Melatonin implants
Discuss the advantages of melatonin implants for the induction and synchronisation of oestrus in ewes
- Low labour pressure
- Reduces spread of oestrus
- Low pressure on rams
- Triggers natural hormonal events giving multiple fertile cycles
Discuss the disadvantages of melatonin implants for the induction and synchronisation of oestrus in ewes
- No ovulation synchronisation or induction
- No effect on prolificacy
- Cannot be used for fixed time AI
- Cost
- Need to plan well in advance
Discuss the advantages of progesterone sponges alone for the induction and synchronisation of oestrus and ovulation in ewes
- Only moderate increase in labour pressure
- Oestrus and ovulation synchronised
- Will advance breeding season
- Potential to improve porlificacy
Discuss the disadvantages of progesterone sponges alone for the induction and synchronisation of oestrus and ovulation in ewes
- High pressure on rams
- If used off season, may have lower prolificacy
- Cannot be used for fixed time insemination
- Cost
Discuss the advantages of progesterone sponges + PMSG injection for the induction and synchronisation of oestrus and ovulation in ewes
- Synchronise and induce ovulation
- Basal or enhanced prolificacy
- Can be used for fixed time insemination
Discuss the disadvantages of progesterone sponges + PMSG injection for the induction and synchronisation of oestrus and ovulation in ewes
- High labour intensiveness
- High pressure on rams
- Potential for too many multiples if over estimate PMSG dose
Discuss the use of Ovsynch in sheep
- Off license in UK
- Usually disappointing results
- No efficacy out of seasons, poor oestrus expression in sheep, labour intensive
What are the challenges faced when aiming to breed sheep early before/in the season?
- No previous luteal phase so no P priming
- Possible lower ovulation rate
- Ram’s fertility not yet at its peak
Briefly outline the method of using melatonin implants in sheep
- Rams in flock injected with 3 melatonin implants at base of ear
- Separate rams from ewes
- 7 days later, ewes in flock treated with single implant at base of ear
- Rams introduced to ewe 40 days after melatonin implantation in females
How long are progestagen sponges generally inserted in ewes for?
12-14 days, 14 days if used during breeding season
What should the ram:ewe ratio be following induction of oestruc and ovulation with progestagen sponges and eCG?
- In season 1:10
- Out of season 1:5
Following abortion in sheep, what material should be sent for analysis?
- Ideally foetus + placenta
Otherwise: - Section of placenta incl. more than 1 cotyledon, with large margins of intercotyledonary membranes
- Foetal fluid from thorax or abdomen
- Foetal stomach contents collected aseptically
- Fresh spleen
What flock information is required as part of the history when investigating abortions in a sheep flock
- No. of ewes, type of flock
- Expected lambing dates
- Ewes housed for lambing? If so, when
- Diet and how much
- Closed or open flock? Where if buy in
- Previous abortions
- Vaccinations
- Ultrasound scanning data if available
- Recent handling or transportation of ewes
What abortion specific information is required as part of the history when investigating abortions in a sheep flock?
- Number of abortions
- Dates of abortions so far
- Clinical status of aborted ewes
- Age of ewes aborting
- Ewes homebred or bought in
- Appearance of aborted lambs
- Isolation of aborted ewes from ewes yet to lamb?