Epididymitis in rams: effect of vaccination and culling on the clinical incidence of the disease.

Ram epidiymitis caused by Brucella ovis can be effective controlled by an annual program combining rigorous culling clinically affected animals and appropriate vaccination of the remaining animals. Yearling rams purchased or saved as replacement breeders should be immunized at 4-5 months of age by two injections of Br. ovis bacterin spaced 3-6 weeks apart. Annually, approximately one month prior to the breeding season, all rams, replacements and older breeders as well, should be carefully examined by palpation of the scrotal contents. Every ram evidencing an abnormality should be culled as a breeder. All the remaining rams should receive a "booster" injection of Br. ovis bacterin.