Various disorders in goats and sheep

Urinary tract disorders in goats and sheep are not uncommon veterinary problems, especially in males (especially castrated males), due to the anatomical structure of the relatively narrow urinary tract. Below is an overview of the main disorders:

Common types of disorders

1. Urolithiasis (urinary tract stones)

Very common, especially in castrated rams and goats.

The stones are caused by a diet rich in grains, calcium-phosphorus imbalance, magnesium deficiency or insufficient drinking.

The stones mainly get stuck in the thin penis and in the urethral process area.

Signs: lack of urination, difficulty urinating/in drops, restlessness, kicks in the abdomen, bladder distension or rupture → peritonitis and death.

2. Urinary tract infection (UTI)

More rare, usually in females.

Caused by bacterial infection (E. coli, Corynebacterium, Proteus).

Signs: cloudy urine, unusual odor, fever, decreased appetite.

3. Urinary tract injuries and trauma

Can be caused by attempts to milk stones or after amputation/manipulation of the penis.

4. Other obstructions

Sometimes tumors or birth defects in the urinary tract can cause urinary disorders.

General clinical signs

No urination or scanty/urgent urination.

Restlessness, abdominal kicks, bladder neck swelling.

Decreased appetite, weakness, stooped posture.

In severe cases: abdominal swelling, bladder rupture, tremors and death.

Treatment

In the case of stones – emergency treatment: removal of the stones by amputation of the urethral process or surgical procedures (tube cystostomy).

Medications: painkillers, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics if necessary.

In phosphate stones – drinking acids (ammonium chloride) to change the pH of the urine.

Prevention

Maintaining the correct calcium:phosphorus ratio (2:1) in the diet.

Adding salt (NaCl) to encourage drinking.

Limiting grains in the diet, providing quality forage.

Providing clean, constantly available water.

Preventive use of ammonium chloride in grain-rich feed.

1. Urolithiasis (urinary tract stones)

This is the most common disorder, especially in neutered males.

Signs: difficulty urinating, dribbling only, restlessness, abdominal kicks, hunched posture, abdominal distension. In severe cases – bladder rupture and death. Treatment: Release of obstruction by amputation of the urethral process, sometimes surgery (tube cystostomy), painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. In some cases, ammonium chloride is added to the solution. Prevention: Correct balance of calcium-phosphorus ratio (2:1), reduction of grains, always providing clean water, adding salt to encourage drinking, and sometimes ammonium chloride as a permanent supplement.

2. Urinary tract infections (UTI)

Less common, more common in females.

Signs: cloudy urine, unusual odor, pain when urinating, decreased appetite, sometimes fever. Treatment: Appropriate antibiotics (according to culture), anti-inflammatories, maintaining hygiene. Prevention: Maintaining a clean environment, clean water, avoiding stress and overcrowding in the cage.

3. Trauma and injuries

Can be caused by manipulation of the penis, external injuries, or unsuccessful attempts to release stones. Signs: Bleeding, swelling, severe pain, difficulty urinating.

Treatment: Rest, painkillers, sometimes surgical repair.

Prevention: Careful treatment, prevention of injuries.

4. Congenital obstructions or tumors

Relatively rare, but does exist. Signs: Similar to stones – difficulty urinating, lack of urine, swelling. Treatment: Usually surgical. Prevention: There is no real prevention, other than monitoring and early diagnosis.

In short – the main and most dangerous problem is urinary tract stones, and all other disorders are much less common.

Here is a guide to first aid in the field in case you see a goat or ram that is unable to urinate (suspected urinary tract obstruction):

What to do immediately:

1. Separate the animal from the herd – keep it quiet, as restlessness makes the stress worse.

2. Check vital signs – is it hunched over, trying to urinate in vain, is there any swelling in the abdomen or genitals.

3. Prevent access to dry or concentrated food – do not give grains or high-protein food, as this will make it worse. Always have water available.

4. Do not try to push a catheter into the urethra – in sheep and goats the urethra is very narrow, and attempting to do so can cause damage and rupture.

5. You can give a painkiller if you have one (for example, a veterinary NSAID that is used in the farm – flunixin, meloxicam, in surgery with a veterinarian). This does not open the blockage, but reduces suffering and inflammation.

6. Call a vet immediately – this is a life-threatening problem. If the bladder ruptures, the chances of saving the animal are greatly reduced.

What not to do:

Do not push a tube or metal object into the urethra to try to open it.

Do not wait until “it will go away on its own” – it will never resolve on its own.

Do not give laxatives or “popular” substances – they will not help and may be harmful.

What the vet will do:

Will check if it is possible to amputation the urethral process (the very narrow tip of the penis where stones usually get stuck).

In more severe cases – will perform a tube cystostomy (catheterization of the bladder through the abdominal wall).

Will give anti-inflammatory treatment, antibiotics and nutritional correction afterwards.

The prevention of urinary tract stones (the number 1 cause of urinary tract problems in goats and sheep) depends mainly on the composition of the diet. Here are guidelines for a preventive daily diet:

Nutritional principles

1. Correct calcium:phosphorus ratio – always maintain a ratio of at least 2:1 in favor of calcium. Excess phosphorus (which comes mainly from seeds and centers) greatly increases the risk of stones.

2. Preference for roughage – high-quality hay (alfalfa/clover/cereals) as the basis of the diet.

3. Limit grains and concentrates – if they must be given (e.g. for fattening), no more than 0.5–1% of body weight per day.

4. Clean, always available water – lack of drinking increases the risk of crystal formation.

5. Added salt (NaCl) – about 2% of the feed ration or spreading a salt lick → causes the animal to drink more.

6. Ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) – a particularly important supplement in rams/goats, as it acidifies the urine and dissolves phosphorus crystals.

Preventive dose: 0.5%–1% of the concentrated feed (approximately 2–4 grams per day for an adult goat).

Example of a daily preventive diet (adult lamb/ram weighing 60 kg)

Alfalfa hay or high-quality grain: free (ad libitum).

Grains/concentrates: up to 300–400 g per day (no more), preferably a balanced mixture.

Salt (NaCl): sprinkle on a salt shaker or mix in food (about 5–10 g per day).

Ammonium chloride: 2–4 g per day for prevention, mix in concentrates.

Fresh water: free access 24/7.

Other important points

It is advisable not to castrate very young males – castration causes the urethra to remain narrower, which increases the risk of blockages.

In fattening diets (with a lot of grains) it is mandatory to add ammonium chloride.

Alfalfa alone (rich in calcium) can cause calcium stones – so it is better to also combine cereal hay.

The nutritional requirements are truly different between dairy goats and fattening herds (sheep/goats), so the strategy for preventing urinary tract stones should also be adapted.

Dairy Goats

Dairy goats consume much more energy and protein, so the food must be very balanced.

Daily basis: High-quality alfalfa hay – free range (an excellent source of calcium).

Cereal hay (such as dry green wheat/barley) – to maintain the correct calcium:phosphorus ratio. Milk mixture – adjusted according to milk yield (between 0.5 and 1.5 kg per day per goat, depending on yield). Free salt (NaCl) supplement – ​​in the lick or feed.

Ammonium chloride – 2–4 grams per day for an adult goat, especially if receiving a lot of mixture. Plenty of clean water – very essential for excreting excess minerals.

Important note: In dairy herds, the problem is usually less severe in females (short and wide urethra), but males raised in dairy herds may suffer if they receive a milk mixture without the correct balance.

Fattening herds (sheep and goats for fattening)

Here the risk is much higher, because the diet is rich in grains to achieve rapid weight gain.

Daily basis:

High-quality cereal hay – fiber must be maintained for proper rumen function.

Grains and mixtures – 1.5–2% of body weight per day (for example: a 40 kg lamb will receive about 0.8 kg of mixture per day).

Ammonium chloride – regularly added to concentrates (about 0.5–1% of the mixture, about 5–10 grams per day for an adult lamb/goat).Free salt – either in a liquid or in a mixture.

Fresh water is always available.

Important note: In fattening herds, castrated males are at the highest risk of stones, due to the combination of many testicles + a narrow urethra.

Brief Summary

In dairy goats – the emphasis is on balancing protein and minerals, while maintaining a calcium:phosphorus ratio and preventing excess phosphorus.

In fattening herds – the emphasis is on grain restriction, adding fixed ammonium chloride, free water, and salt blik.

 *It is always advisable to consult a qualified veterinarian.