Ulcerative penile lesions in beef bulls due to pseudocowpox virus

Abstract

The testing of this herd over the last 4 years has revealed that exposure to pseudocowpox is widespread in this herd. Ureaplasma and Myca plasma are also present, however, these bacteria are thought to be normal surface inhabitants of the male and female reproductive tract with occasional secondary pathological infections. The herd is deficient in copper, which has been associated with immune dysfunction. There is 1 other reported case of a bull with ulcerative penile lesions thought to be associated with pseudocowpox. It is possible that this is an emerging disease or a disease that has been underreported.