Hypospadias in goats

Abstract

Hypospadias is an uncommon congenital defect of urinary tract in farm animals. This defect has been recorded rarely in calves, lambs and foals in the world. The aetiology of hypospadias is not well understood, it seems to be multifactorial and may be related to genetic, endocrinological, and environmental factors. During April to October 2007, twenty-four goat kids with sings of hypospadias were referred to the Veterinary Hospital of Kerman University, Iran. The age of patients ranged from one week to three months old. Penile and testicular hypoplasia were observed in all of them. In one case, ectopic penis (between anus and scrotum) was found. In one goat, opening of the urethra was located in the scrotal region and in the others it was in the penile position. Urine had leaked into the subcutaneous tissue of the ventral abdominal wall and prepuce but the skin of the swollen area was normal and no signs of urine scalding were visible. For the treatment of patients, penile urethrostomy at the proximal region of the defect was performed by suturing the urethral epithelium to the skin with 3-0 nylon sutures in a simple interrupted pattern. There was no complaint about postoperative complications from goat's owners.