Peri-parturient disease (Yr 4) Flashcards
when are lambs weaned?
early summer (ewes have summer to recover for tupping)
what is target BCS of ewe at weaning/tupping?
weaning - 2-2.5
tupping - 3-3.5
why is nutrition so important in mid pregnancy?
if underfed there won’t be as much placenta development leading to low lamb birthweights
also impacts mammary development
why is nutrition of ewe important in late pregnancy?
support foetal growth
support mammary development (and colostrum)
maintain ewe health (prevent pregnancy toxaemia..)
why are fat ewes an issue at lambing?
high risk of pregnancy toxaemia
more dystocia issues (mortality)
more likely to prolapse
what are some risk factors for pregnancy toxaemia?
thin/fat ewes
stress
broken mouth
concurrent disease
multiple foetuses
inadequate/change in diet
what are the clinical signs of pregnancy toxaemia?
inappetence
central blindness
tremors/twitching
star gazing, head pressing
recumbency
(all related to neurological as brain doesn’t gave enough oxygen?
how can pregnancy toxaemia be diagnosed?
clinical signs and beta hydroxybutyrate
how is pregnancy toxaemia treated?
fresh food/water
IV glucose (dextrose)
propylene glycol
calcium
NSAIDs
(consider dexamethasone/caesarian if not recovering)
when is hypocalcaemia seen?
pre-lambing (6 weeks onwards)
what mediates calcium absorption and mobilisation?
parathyroid hormone
vitamin D
what are the clinical signs of hypocalcaemia?
initial weakness/excitement and progress to recumbent
dilated pupils, constipation, bloat, coma
how is hypocalcaemia treated?
IV or SC calcium
when does hypomagnesaemia occur?
post lambing at peak lactation when animals are on very lush or very bare pasture
what are the clinical signs of hypomagnesaemia?
excitable, tremors, convulsions
where is blocked during a paravertebral nerve block?
T13, L1, L2, L3
what often predisposes to metritis?
dystocia (poor hygiene, dead lambs…)
abortions
what are the clinical signs of metritis?
systemically ill ewe (dull, depressed…)
toxaemia congested mucous membranes
red/brown or purulent vaginal discharge
how is metritis treated?
antibiotics (oxytetracycline), NSAIDs
what are some risk factors for vaginal prolapses?
prolific breeds, litter size, age
nutritional - obese, hypocalcaemia, poor quality forage
history of prolapse
how can we treat a prolapse as a vet?
epidural - 2ml procaine (add xylazine for long action)
clean and replace prolapse they put purse string suture or buhner
NSAIDs and antibiotics
what are some possible risk factors for prolapsed uterus?
excessive traction/force at lambing
hypocalcaemia
what are the three main presentations of mastitis in sheep?
peracute/gangrenous/toxic
acute
chronic
when does gangrenous mastitis typically occur?
4-8 weeks post lambing when ewes at peak lactation
what are the clinical signs of gangrenous mastitis?
sick toxaemic ewe with tachycardia, rumen stasis, lameness and recumbency
hungry lambs
swollen cold blue udder that will slough
discoloured milk
what are the clinical signs of chronic mastitis?
abscesses/swollen udder with possible light purulent discharge (not systemically ill)
what are the most common bacteria involved in chronic mastitis of ewes?
Staphylococcus aureus (teat skin)
Mannheimia haemolytic (lambs mouth)
what are some risk factors for mastitis?
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
how is gangrenous mastitis treated?
euthanasia
how is acute mastitis treated?
systemic antibiotics (amoxicillin then tilmicosin)
stripping udder to remove toxins
NSAIDs
supportive care
how is chronic mastitis treated?
culling
