Urolithiasis is a metabolic disease in sheep, goats, and camelids caused by mineral imbalances and improper calcium to phosphorus ratios in grain-heavy diets with insufficient roughage, resulting in painful urinary tract stones that can block urine flow. Symptoms include restlessness, abdominal pain, straining to urinate, and death if the bladder ruptures. Treatment depends on the severity but may include muscle relaxants, ammonium chloride, or surgery to remove stones. Proper diet formulation and water access can help prevent this condition.

1. What is it?
A metabolic disease, resulting in the
formation of calculi (stones or crystals)
in the urinary tract of sheep, goats, and
camelids, which block the flow of urine.
What usually causes it?
High grain: low roughage diets
Mineral imbalances in the feed
Improper calcium to phosphorus ratio
Reduced water intake
Genetic susceptibility
Early castration (no proof)
How do you prevent it?
Correct diet formulation; calcium to phosphorus ratio of at least 2:1
Source of roughage in the diet. Clean, constant supply of water.
Adequate salt intake (~4% of diet); addition of ammonium chloride to diet (~0.5%)
What are the symptoms?
Restlessness and anxiety
Abdominal pain and discomfort
Humped-up appearance
Straining and inability to urinate
Bladder rupture  death
Is there a treatment?
Depends on extent of blockage
Smooth muscle relaxants
Oral doses of ammonium chloride
Surgical options, depending
upon location of stones.
Salvage by processing
U r i n a r y
Who gets it?
Mostly wethers. Sometimes intact
males. Females rarely
(UC) also called urolithiasis, “water belly,” or kidney or bladder stones