Livestock

Urolithiasis in Male Sheep: Welfare and Dietary Management

Managing urinary calculi in rams and wethers to prevent welfare emergencies.

Key Facts

Male sheep fed high-concentrate diets are at risk of phosphatic calculi formation
The sigmoid flexure of the sheep urethra is a common site of obstruction
Wethers castrated early are at higher risk than intact males
Dietary calcium-phosphorus ratio management prevents most cases

Welfare Considerations

Urolithiasis causes acute welfare emergency in affected male sheep — straining, crying, and complete obstruction lead to bladder rupture and death without intervention. Welfare-focused prevention maintains the dietary calcium-phosphorus ratio above 2:1, ensures adequate water intake, and avoids high-cereal diets without appropriate mineral balancing. Surgical treatment including urethral process amputation or tube cystotomy is required for obstructed animals.

What You Can Do

Ensure male sheep on concentrate diets receive appropriate mineral supplementation
Provide constant access to clean, fresh water — dehydration increases calculus risk
Seek immediate veterinary treatment for any male sheep showing urinary straining or distress