Peri-parturient disease (Yr 4)

Question 1

when are lambs weaned?

Answer 1

early summer (ewes have summer to recover for tupping)

Question 2

what is target BCS of ewe at weaning/tupping?

Answer 2

weaning - 2-2.5
tupping - 3-3.5

Question 3

why is nutrition so important in mid pregnancy?

Answer 3

if underfed there won’t be as much placenta development leading to low lamb birthweights
also impacts mammary development

Question 4

why is nutrition of ewe important in late pregnancy?

Answer 4

support foetal growth
support mammary development (and colostrum)
maintain ewe health (prevent pregnancy toxaemia..)

Question 5

why are fat ewes an issue at lambing?

Answer 5

high risk of pregnancy toxaemia
more dystocia issues (mortality)
more likely to prolapse

Question 6

what are some risk factors for pregnancy toxaemia?

Answer 6

thin/fat ewes
stress
broken mouth
concurrent disease
multiple foetuses
inadequate/change in diet

Question 7

what are the clinical signs of pregnancy toxaemia?

Answer 7

inappetence
central blindness
tremors/twitching
star gazing, head pressing
recumbency
(all related to neurological as brain doesn’t gave enough oxygen?

Question 8

how can pregnancy toxaemia be diagnosed?

Answer 8

clinical signs and beta hydroxybutyrate

Question 9

how is pregnancy toxaemia treated?

Answer 9

fresh food/water
IV glucose (dextrose)
propylene glycol
calcium
NSAIDs
(consider dexamethasone/caesarian if not recovering)

Question 10

when is hypocalcaemia seen?

Answer 10

pre-lambing (6 weeks onwards)

Question 11

what mediates calcium absorption and mobilisation?

Answer 11

parathyroid hormone
vitamin D

Question 12

what are the clinical signs of hypocalcaemia?

Answer 12

initial weakness/excitement and progress to recumbent
dilated pupils, constipation, bloat, coma

Question 13

how is hypocalcaemia treated?

Answer 13

IV or SC calcium

Question 14

when does hypomagnesaemia occur?

Answer 14

post lambing at peak lactation when animals are on very lush or very bare pasture

Question 15

what are the clinical signs of hypomagnesaemia?

Answer 15

excitable, tremors, convulsions

Question 16

where is blocked during a paravertebral nerve block?

Answer 16

T13, L1, L2, L3

Question 17

what often predisposes to metritis?

Answer 17

dystocia (poor hygiene, dead lambs…)
abortions

Question 18

what are the clinical signs of metritis?

Answer 18

systemically ill ewe (dull, depressed…)
toxaemia congested mucous membranes
red/brown or purulent vaginal discharge

Question 19

how is metritis treated?

Answer 19

antibiotics (oxytetracycline), NSAIDs

Question 20

what are some risk factors for vaginal prolapses?

Answer 20

prolific breeds, litter size, age
nutritional - obese, hypocalcaemia, poor quality forage
history of prolapse

Question 21

how can we treat a prolapse as a vet?

Answer 21

epidural - 2ml procaine (add xylazine for long action)
clean and replace prolapse they put purse string suture or buhner
NSAIDs and antibiotics

Question 22

what are some possible risk factors for prolapsed uterus?

Answer 22

excessive traction/force at lambing
hypocalcaemia

Question 23

what are the three main presentations of mastitis in sheep?

Answer 23

peracute/gangrenous/toxic
acute
chronic

Question 24

when does gangrenous mastitis typically occur?

Answer 24

4-8 weeks post lambing when ewes at peak lactation

Question 25

what are the clinical signs of gangrenous mastitis?

Answer 25

sick toxaemic ewe with tachycardia, rumen stasis, lameness and recumbency
hungry lambs
swollen cold blue udder that will slough
discoloured milk

Question 26

what are the clinical signs of chronic mastitis?

Answer 26

abscesses/swollen udder with possible light purulent discharge (not systemically ill)

Question 27

what are the most common bacteria involved in chronic mastitis of ewes?

Answer 27

Staphylococcus aureus (teat skin)
Mannheimia haemolytic (lambs mouth)

Question 28

what are some risk factors for mastitis?

Answer 28

poor nutrition in late pregnancy/lactation
low BCS
vitamin E/selenium deficiency (immune function)
concurrent disease (fluke, johnes, pregnancy toxaemia)
older ewes
poor udder confirmation
teat damage/lesions
hygiene

Question 29

how is gangrenous mastitis treated?

Answer 29

euthanasia

Question 30

how is acute mastitis treated?

Answer 30

systemic antibiotics (amoxicillin then tilmicosin)
stripping udder to remove toxins
NSAIDs
supportive care

Question 31

how is chronic mastitis treated?

Answer 31

culling