Sheep 2 (diseases)

Question 1

Why are thin ewes a concern?

Answer 1

Animal welfare - undernutrition, disease, old age.
Economics - thin pre-tupping reduces ovulation so reduces lamb numbers.
Low lamb birth weights
Twin lamb disease + poor colostrum quality
Low milk production poor lamb growth
Ewe deaths.

Question 2

Give 4 causes of thin ewes

Answer 2

Bad teeth
Poor nutrition (hill ewes over winter,l late pregnant ewes, inadequate grazing, poor forage)
Chronic disease
-> respiratory (OPA, Maedi-visna, chronic suppurative pneumonia), Alimentary (Johne’s, PGE, fluke, pharyngeal trauma)