Pregnancy Toxemia
- usually affects ewes carrying multiple lambs in late pregnancy
- ewes who are too fat or too thin are more at risk
- usually occurs in more than one ewe in the flock, as the flock is exposed to the same feeding conditions.
- ewe keeps separate from the flock, and appear depressed (head down, droopy ears), eventually progresses to weakness, staggering and blindness.
- total lack of appetite, normal body temperatures 38.9ºC (102º F)
- grinding of teeth as though in pain, staggering, loud breathing
- sometimes there are convulsions, coma and death.
- breath smells ‘sweet’
- a post mortem exam shows fatty liver and multiple fetuses in late development
- only silage, hay, and straw are being fed (energy shortage).
Cause
- ewe is unable to consume enough energy to support her and her rapidly growing lambs because of inadequate nutrition or loss of appetite.
- reduced feed intake capacity due to growing fetuses in late pregnancy (digestive fill is resticted0
- improper sugar metabolism, which leads to low blood sugar, high ketone levels in blood, fatty liver.
Treatment
- call your vet
- generally unsatisfactory
- glucose intravenous gives only temporary results, and is not very effective
- glycerol or propylene glycol by mouth four times per day
- consult with your veterinarian about inducing lambing or performing a caesarean section.
Prevention
- adequate and increasing energy levels must be provided in the diet during the last 4 to 6 weeks of gestation
- provide the pregnant ewes with fresh water and adequate feeder space.
- regular body condition scoring will aid in early detection and prevention of this disease.
- keep ewes in good condition, not too fat, nor too thin
- increase grain intake gradually over final six weeks of pregnancy, by ~1.5lb per head (grain provides increased energy, while causing little gut fill)
- avoid stress, such as excessive handling, shipping, deworming, vaccinations, overcrowding, feed changes during final four weeks of pregnancy.
Hypocalcaemia
(Milk Fever)
(Milk Fever)
- usually occurs shortly before or after lambing
- staggering, tremors and a stilted gait.
- sheep may go down after an hour or two
- hind legs stretched backwards, head may be turned toward the flank
- although another name for this disease is milk fever, there is no fever, temperature is usually decreased to 35.0 to 36.7º C (97-98º F)
- ewes often look bloated (rumen motility decreases and gases accumulate)
- most ewes will die if not treated promptly.
Cause
- pregnant or lactating ewes having low levels of blood calcium due to the growth of the fetus or the increased milk demands.
- high Ca and low P in feed, e.g., lots of good alfalfa but no grains or minerals causes body to release Ca from body stores too slowly for the sudden Ca demands due to lactation
- excessive handling, shearing, feeding stresses, deprivation of feed may cause this disorder
Treatment
- an injection of 80 ml of calcium borogluconate under the skin will help most ewes within an hour.
- severe cases may require an intravenous injection
Prevention
- avoid rough handling during late pregnancy (avoid stress)
- good quality Ca-P minerals should be available at all times. Watch copper levels if fed free choice.
- avoid sudden changes in feed or interruption in feeding routine with pregnant ewes.
