Diseases of peri-parturient Ewe

Question 1

Common METABOLIC Dx peri parturient ewe

and others

Answer 1

Metabolic:
Pregnancy toxaemia/ twin lamb disease
Hypocalcaemia
Hypomagnesaemia / staggers

Others:
Dystocia
Listeria
Mastitis
Prolapse
C section
Bloat
pasturellosis
acidosis
Metritis
Poisoning
Cast

Question 2

Why is nutrition so important around lambing time and what do you need to know as a vet?

Answer 2

To know when nutrition is likely to be involved in a peri-parturient ewe disease presentation

1. Metabolic Disease e.g. preg toxaemia/ TLD, hypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia
2. Mastitis, dystocia, maternal behaviour
3. lamb mortality/morbidity, low lamb borsht weight, poor colostrum, poor milk production

Question 3

BCS lowland ewes at tupping mid pregnancy lambing and weaning

Answer 3

Tupping - 3.5
mid pregnancy - 3.0
lambing - 3.0
weaning - 2.5

Question 4

BCS upland ewes at tupping mid pregnancy lambing and weaning

Answer 4

Tupping - 3.0
mid pregnancy - 2.5
lambing - 2.5
weaning - 2.0

Question 5

BCS hill ewes at tupping mid pregnancy lambing and weaning

Answer 5

Tupping - 2.5
mid pregnancy - 2.o
lambing - 2.0
weaning - 2.0

Question 6

Ewe feeding PRE Tupping

Answer 6

*Weaned early summer, 3 months
*Aim: thinnest when weaned as sheep fed lamb and done hard work BCS around 2
*Summer gazing to recover before tupping in autumn BCS 3- 3.5 = ovulating nicely, fit and fertile, want sheep to be fattest at tupping

Question 7

Generally what is the ewe year like?

Answer 7

Weaning June/July
Dry 3 months
Sept/ Oct tupping
Preg 5 months
March lambing
lactation 4 months

Question 8

Flushing aims

Answer 8

• increase feed to increase BCS by 0.5 you will improve number eggs produce
  – Usually managed with grass management
  – May require supplementary concentrate feeding

Question 9

Ewe feeding general principles early to mid pregnancy

Answer 9

• Early pregnancy embryo implants and early development- no sudden changes
• Winter
• Mid Pregnancy- placenta develops maintain BCS or lose 0.5 units
• Need to be on a good stable plain of nutrition for placenta dan mammary development
• if underfed – small placenta- low lamb birth weights
• Mammary development

Question 10

nutrition 90 days to lambing

Answer 10

• Nutrition absolutely crucial to health of ewes and lambs
• During the last 6 weeks of gestation, 70 percent of fetal growth is occurring.
• The mammary system is developing.
• The ewe’s rumen capacity is decreasing.

Question 11

Aim of feeding in late pregnancy

Answer 11

• To support fetal growth.
• To support mammary tissue development and colostrum production.
• To maintain ewe health- prevent pregnancy toxemia (ketosis).
• To ensure the birth of strong, healthy, lambs of proper birth weight
• Recent work shown underfeeding late pregnancy related to mastitis during lactation and also affects maternal behaviour – long term
• Whether indoors or outdoors ewes may require supplementary feeding in last 6-8 week pregnancy
• If later lambing(many hill flocks) ie April/May well managed grass may be ok without concentrate
• Forage and/ or concentrate
• GOOD ACCESS TO TOP QUALITY grass/ FORAGE IS KEY
• Monitor nutrition during this critical stage

Question 12

Ration needed

Answer 12

good quality forage ad lib
Concentrate requirements calculated based on the depending on quality forage

3. maximum 1kg per day and 0.5kg per feed (Too much concentrates risk of SARA – rumen acidosis which further suppresses what they take in = counter productive)
   * WATER

Question 13

One thing to consider about feed troughs

Answer 13

MUST have enough space or bullying will happen
– FAT GET FATTER THIN GET THINNER - bullying
– Forage adlib 15-20 cm per ewe
– Forage restricted (not good) 45-60 cm per ewe
– Concentrate 45-60cm per ewe
– But sheep different sizes so actually what is important is
– Concentrates all sheep feed at once
– Forage (ad lib) 1/3 sheep feed at once

Question 14

What % do you want feeding concentrates and forage?

Answer 14

– Concentrates all sheep feed at once
– Forage (ad lib) 1/3 sheep feed at once

Question 15

What should we be actively monitoring late pregnancy to make sure ewes are ok

Answer 15

– Body Condition Score
– Ewe Health
– Metabolic Profiles – blood test flocks 3 weeks before lambing to monitor for key metabolites
– monitor BOHB (energy status), albumin, urea (both protein status), in bloods 3 weeks before lambing

Question 16

common problems with sheep nutrition

Answer 16

1. thin ewes - low BCS, broken mouth, concurrent dx (worms, fluke, lameness, johnes)
2. forage - poor quality, wet, acidic, spoiled, mouldy, quantity, trough space
3. concentrates - tough space, poor quality, too much (acidosis), No access to water, high stocking rate

Question 17

List issues with fat ewes

Answer 17

• Fat ewes are more prone to pregnancy toxemia
• Fat ewes experience more lambing difficulties (dystocia).
• Fat ewes are more likely to prolapse.
• Large fetuses can cause dystocia.
• Oversized lambs have a higher mortality.
• Fat is expense to put on.

Question 18

when do lambs start eating grass and when are they weaned

Answer 18

• Lambs start eating grass 6 weeks age
• Weaned about 12 weeks old

Question 19

How tall do you want grass

Answer 19

4-6cm for lactating ewes

Question 20

What is pregnancy toxaemia/ Twin lamb disease

Answer 20

• energy deficiency disease
• hypoglycaemia therefore body starts metabolising fat therefore hyperketonaemia
• this affects the brain

Question 21

common risk factors of