| Information sheets | | | Elsenburg infopaks | | | Animals, diseases: 17 |
Pizzle rot (Peestersiekte)
Afrikaans | Xhosa
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This is a contagious disease that occurs in indigenous breeds of sheep, especially Dorpers.
SYMPTOMS Symptoms in rams are inflammation of the penis and sheath. |
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This varies from small pustules and wounds on the penis to |
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a penis that is considerably swollen and bleeds, and from which pieces of tissue fall off. The penis is also caked with puss. The condition is at its worst during the mating season. The penis then often hangs out. It is so sore that the ram cannot service.
Ewes contract the disease during servicing. Symptoms in ewes are a bloody discharge and sores on the vulva. It seems as if the condition is not problematic to ewes and does not affect fertility. Ewes recover by themselves within a few weeks. TRANSMISSION The germ that causes pizzle rot is unknown; therefore the exact way in which it is transmitted is also unknown. The condition occurs mainly during the mating season. It is transmitted from ram to ewe to ram but has also been observed in young rams that have never been with a ewe. Deficiency diseases, poor nutrition and too high an intake of protein seem to aggravate the condition. |
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TREATMENT
With the ram in a sitting position, the penis is pulled out and sprayed with an antibiotic aerosol. A long-term antibiotic is administered and the ram is isolated for three weeks. One treatment is sufficient. Further handling of the penis can aggravate the condition. PREVENTION
Combat ticks on sheep throughout the year. Ticks on sheep may play a role in the transmission of the disease. |
AO de Kock
ELSENBURG / VREDENDAL veterinary
services
