Congenital hypospadias and vertebral malformation in a Barbados Blackbelly neonate

Abstract

A male purebred Barbados Blackbelly, twin to another male, was born with obvious external congenital abnormalities. Male twinwas normal. Abnormal lamb had a short torso and spinal column. At 1 week, the lamb was presented with dyspnea and lethargy,and euthanasia was elected. Lamb was submitted for full necropsy and for additional diagnostics. After postmortem, in additionto histopathology, radiographs and computed tomographs were obtained. Lamb had congenital vertebral and occipital malformations,meningitis, hypospadias, and renal malformation. To authors’ knowledge, hypospadias and vertebral malformation inthe Barbados Blackbelly breed has not been reported. Apparently, Barbados Blackbelly breed harbors closely related genetics, thusvigilant monitoring for genetic malformations is suggested.