In this study, it was aimed to examine ultrasonographically the normal and pathologic structures of the urinary systems of the sheep of different ages, breeds, weights and sexes. The screening of the urinary system was carried out with transabdominal and transrectal methods utilizing 3.5-5 MHz convex and 5-7.5 MHz lineer probes.

The findings obtained from normal and pathologic structures during ultrasonographic examination are shown as follow: Normal renal capsule, cortex and medulla were observed respectively as hyperechogen, echogen and hypoechogen. The dimentions of the in 20 ovine kidneys were found to be between 7.1-8.9 cm in length, 3.4-5.5 cm in width and 3.3-4.7 cm in depth.

Renal cysts were observed as having an anechogenic appearance with echo enforcement in its back side. In cases with hydronephrosis, enlarged pelvis renalis and thinned cortex associated with anechogenic appearance of calix were found. In cases with pyelonephritis, reduction in the pelvis renalis diameter, thinness or disappearance of renal parenchyma boundary were determined. In cases with cystitis, it was determined that the wall of urinary bladder weakened and obtained hyperechogenic appearance and also within it freely moving mucosal particles were present. In urolithiasis cases, sand-like-particles at the base of the urinary bladder was determined. When the bladder was shook, these particles were observed to form snowing like pattern in the bladder. In case of ruptured urinary bladder, an anechogenic appearance due to fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity was determined.

In the survey, 109 out 800 sheep (approximately 12%) were determined to possess urinary system disorders which was determined to cause the loss of the productivity of meat and milk in the sheep. In these cases, renal cysts (6%), hydronephrosis (9%), pyelonephritis (9%), renal neoplasms (2%), cystitis (13%), rupture (3%), dilatation (13%) and uroliths (27%) of the urinary bladder were encountered.

As a result, the urinary system diseases in the sheep has a important stage and we unired to the ultrasonographic diagnosis must be primary diagnostic practise on them.