Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ewe with ovarian tumor causing udder growth and belly fluid buildup
By Gardner, R B et al.·Published in Australian veterinary journal·2005·Cornell University Hospital for Animals, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Udder development, lactation and ascites in a ewe with an ovarian granulosa cell tumour.
- Species:
- sheep
Plain-English summary
A 20-month-old female sheep was brought in for lameness and unusual udder development, along with signs of not wanting to eat. The vet found a large abdominal mass, severe fluid buildup in the belly, and the sheep was producing milk despite not being pregnant. Unfortunately, the owners chose to euthanize the sheep after learning that the mass was a ruptured ovarian tumor causing these symptoms. This case highlights how a tumor can lead to unexpected changes in a sheep's body, including udder development and fluid accumulation.
People also search for: sheep udder development · ewe lameness treatment · ovarian tumor in sheep symptoms
Abstract
A 20-month-old sexually intact female mixed breed sheep was examined for lameness, unexpected udder development, lactation and anorexia. Tachycardia, tachypnoea, severe abdominal distension and vaginal prolapse were evident upon physical examination. A right hindlimb lameness was present at the walk. The udder was well-developed and milk, normal in appearance, was easily expressed from each teat. Ultrasonographic evaluation revealed a non-pregnant uterus, severe ascites and a large (12 cm diameter) abdominal mass. Although surgical treatment was discussed, the owners elected to euthanase the ewe. Necropsy examination confirmed the presence of severe ascites due to a ruptured ovarian tumour. The tumour was characterised as a granulosa cell tumour histologically. Unexpected udder development and lactation presumably occurred secondary to oestrogen and progesterone production by the tumour. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of udder development, lactation and ascites in a ewe secondary to an ovarian granulosa cell tumour.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16119421/