Posted by Kay on February 01, 2001 at 13:56:57:
In Reply to: urinary calculi posted by Cindy on January 31, 2001 at 15:18:30:
I have helped several 4-Her's and had 2 or 3 cases myself. If you catch it early you have a chance to help. If he is still urinating a small stream you can try massaging under the belly along the tract that contains the penis and all the way to the sheath, you might help him pass the calculi. If it is calculi you should feel some small grains, like fine sand, on the sheath or the hair covering it. If he is straining, stretched out to urinate you can work the penis out and snip off the pizzle and this usually gives releif in a few minutes. If none of this works you need a vet. Does your feed contain ammonium chloride? Some wethers or bucks get this problem with the best of care so it probably isn't anything you did. I wait as long as possible to castrate to let the uretha develop as much as possible. Good luck. Kay