UROLITHIASIS IN SHEEP

Obstructive urolithiasis is a considerable frequency problem in small ruminants under intensive production schedules, resulting in significant economic losses for producers, especially in feedlots. The disease starts with formation of kidney microcalculli that when they grow lodge the urethra, leading to clinical disorders. Pharmaceutical treatment has positive results at the beginning of signs; however, there are surgical techniques such as urethral resection, the perineal urethrotomy, cystostomy, percutaneous cystostomy and cystostomy with catheter placement. Preventive measures for high-risk farms should include the addition of sodium chloride 3% - 5 % in diet or supplementation with ammonium chloride at a concentration of 0.5 % - 1 % of the diet. Urolithiasis occurs in male sheep when submitted to high levels of concentrates diets, especially corn and sorghum, in addition, the calcium-phosphorus relationship poorly balanced and the use of hard or mineralized water. In fattening animals with symptoms it is recommended to send them as soon as possible to the trail, because the prognosis is not favorable.