Peri-parturient Problems In The Ewe

Question 1

What is the target BCS at weaning in lowland sheep?

Answer 1

2-2.5

Question 2

What is the target BCS at lambing in lowland sheep?

Answer 2

3

Question 3

What is the target BCS at tupping in lowland sheep?

Answer 3

3.5

Question 4

When should a farmer start to feed concentrates to a sheep in pregnancy?

Answer 4

Last 90 days (last 6-8w)

Forage ad lib +/- good concentrate

Question 5

What should you monitor 3 weeks before lambing?

Answer 5

BCS
Ewe health
Beta hydroxybutyrate

Question 6

What stocking density should a farmer have for his feeding group?

Answer 6

1.1-1.3m2

Question 7

How should a farmer feed a ewe during lactation?

Answer 7

0.5kg of concentrate per lamb until the spring flush occurs

Question 8

What age are lambs weaned?

Answer 8

16w

Question 9

Pregnancy toxaemia (single case)

Answer 9

= hypoglycaemia, hyperketonaemia

Seen in thin or fat ewes in late pregnancy - twins or triplets
Occurs during pregnancy (unlike ketosis after birth in cows)
Broken mouthed
Triggered by stress

Hypoglycaemic encephalopathy - blindness, tremors, recumbency

Dx: beta hydroxybutyrate over 3 mmol/L

Tx: separate and feed
IV glucose
Propylene glycol
(Don’t use steroids in ewe - pregnant, will abort)

If no response - PTS, abort (dexamethasone) or Caesarian

Question 10

How can a farmer manage pregnancy toxaemia at a flock level?

Answer 10

Ad lib molasses
Review nutrition
Cull out broken mouthed ewes
BCS 6-8w pre-lambing
Monitor Ketones 2-3w pre-lambing 
Feed according to no. foetuses and BCS
Avoid stress in the last 6w of pregnancy

Question 11

Hypocalcaemia in the ewe

Answer 11

High demand from the foetus and colostrum for calcium
Stressful event reduces the ability of the ewe to absorb calcium from feed and mobilise it from the bones
OCCURS BEFORE LAMBING IN THE SHEEP

CS: initially hyperexcitable and tremors, progresses to recumbency dilated pupils, constipated, bloated

Dx: test blood calcium or response to treatment

Tx: slow IV 20% calcium borogluconate (20-40ml)
Or farmer can give SC

Question 12

Hypomagnaesaemia in the ewe

Answer 12

Occurs post-lambing at peak lactation - multiple bearing ewes
Precipitated by a stressful event

CS: hyper excitability, tremors, recumbency, death

Dx: blood sample Mg - response to treatment usually more appropriate as it is an emergency situation

Tx: 1st 20% calcium borogluconate IV
Then MgSO4 SC (not IV in the sheep)

Prevent: high magnesium cake

Question 13

Ddx for a recumbent ewe at lambing time

Answer 13

Pregnancy toxaemia
Hypocalcaemia
Hypomagnesaemia 
Listeriosis
Mastitis 
Metritis

Question 14

What is the landmark for a Caesarian in a ewe?

Answer 14

On the left
1/2 way between the last rib and the wing of the illum
10-15cm below the transverse processes
15cm incision

Question 15

Metritis in ewes

Answer 15

Poor hygienes, dystocia, dead lambs, post abortion

CS: toxaemia, red / purulent vaginal discharge, dull and recumbent

Tx: NSAIDs - ketoprofen
Antibiotics - Norodine (TMPS) can be given IV, amoxicillin, pen/strep, tylosin
Review lambing hygiene
Poor px

Question 16

How can you treat a vaginal prolapse in a ewe?

Answer 16

Retention devices / harnesses
+ NSAIDS (ketoprofen) + antibiotics (pen/strep)

Or replace surgically
Saccrococcygeal epidural - 
procaine only (1.75ml) - short acting 
procaine (1.75ml) + xylazine (0.25ml) - longer acting
NSAID ketoprofen
Antibiotic pen/strep
Clean the prolapse
can put sugar on it to shrink it
Replace
Purse string suture or buhner suture 

Mark ewe and tell farmer to remove sutures before lambing
Ewe should be culled

Question 17

What should you do in addition for a uterine prolapse (post-lambing)?

Answer 17

Remove the placenta before replacing