Corynebacterium renale

• C. renale, C. pilosum, C. cystitidis
• Found in the vulva, vagina and prepuce of normal cattle
• Bovine pyelonephritis
  • Stress of parturition and short urethra predisposes cows to urinary tract infection
  • Cystitis especially with C. cystitidis
  • Ascending infection from bladder through ureters causes pyelonephritis
  • Fever, anoexia, decreased milk production
  • Restlessness; kicking of abdomen indicate renal pain
  • Dysuria, arched back, bloody urine
  • Chronic infection causes extensive renal damage
  • Enlarged ureters and kidneys palpated per rectum
  • Culture from urine; protein and red blood cells in urine
  • Antibiotics e.g. penicillin for at least three weeks
• Ulcerative balanoposthitis (pizzle rot):
  • Common in Merino sheep and Angora goats
  • Ulceration around prepucial orifice with brown crust, and occasionally on vulva of ewes
  • Bacteria hydrolyse urea to ammonia which causes mucosal irritation and ulceration
  • High urine urea level, from high protein intake may predispose to condition
  • High oestrogen levels in pastures also predisposes
  • Castration and heavy wool around the prepuce are risk factors