Author Topic: Drippy ram (Read 1734 times)

suziequeue · « **on:** April 05, 2014, 09:03:48 am »

We've had four lambs born out of an expected six. Good weights. No problems. Very pleased.

One of the big ram lambs seems to be dripping all the time from his urethra - just clear pee-like fluid. Otherwise eating well and I haven't managed to catch him to have a closer look

I am assuming that's not normal.

His twin brother incidentally seems to have a shorter than expected tail and I am wondering whether they are indications of some sort of congenital issue in both of them.

Anybody got any ideas?

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2014, 09:29:01 am »

Tup lambs usually stand still wearing a dreamy expression when piddling. (

I wonder if male humans do likewise? I've never watched... but it would explain a few things...

)

Anyway, back to your lamb. So if he's leaking whilst running about, while suckling, etc, then I'd say that yes, that's not normal.

Fleecewife · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2014, 11:38:07 am »

When you do catch him up, have a good look between sheath and anus. We once had a ram lamb which was completely open the whole way down the urethra, and he dripped urine all the time. His scrotum was bifurcated by this, and we didn't ring him because of the danger of infection. We had to keep him well washed so he didn't stink, until he went for slaughter at about 7 months (Shetland). The vet said he was a hermaphrodite but he wasn't - it was epispadias.

farmvet · « **Reply #3 on:** April 05, 2014, 10:46:24 pm »

This is a patent urachus. The tube connects the bladder to the allantois (waterbag) before birth & usually closes to form one of the ligaments of the bladder. It may still close on its own but otherwise he'll keep leaking. The main risks are infection tracking up the way plus fly strike etc from the navel area continually being wet. If its not settled in a week discuss it with your vet & they may decide to ligate it.

Anke · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 2014, 07:47:37 am »

It is so great that I can learn something new on this forum every day.. even on Sunday morning!

But if you have used the same tup on all your ewes and ONLY one had an issue then it may not be genetic fault, but more likely just one of those things...

suziequeue · « **Reply #5 on:** April 06, 2014, 12:12:26 pm »

Yes - I suspect it's like patent foramen ovale in humans - tends to sort itself out over a few days.

Looked closely at lamb at feeding time this morning and he seems to have dried up.