Ulcerative Posthitis

Question 1

Common name?

Answer 1

Pizzle rot

Question 2

Seen in what species?

Answer 2

Most common in ovine

Also seen in caprine and bovine

Question 3

Seen in males or females?

Answer 3

Both, though more common in castrated males

Question 4

Etiologic agent? What does it do?

Answer 4

Corynebacterium renale (gram +, urease producing)
Hydrolyzes urea to ammonia which causes irritation to the penis

Question 5

Predisposing factors?

Answer 5

Castrated male
Excess hair
High protein diet
Poor grooming
Dirty bedding/environment

Question 6

Clinical signs

Answer 6

Preputial swelling

Urine scald

Question 7

Treatment and management?

Answer 7

Penicillin or cephalosporin - can be topical (bacitracin or copper sulfate)
Remove any wool around the area
Remove necrotic tissue
Do not feed a high protein diet
Keep environment clean
Don’t breed until ulcers heal (possibly venereal transmission)