The down sheep

Question 1

List 7 differentials for a down sheep

Answer 1

Hypocalcaemia
Listeria
Scrapie
Pregnancy toxaemia
Lameness
Respiratory disease
Hypomagnesaemia

Question 2

when does hypocalcaemia tend to occur in sheep

Answer 2

late pregnancy
older thinner ewes
carrying multiple foetuses increases risk
any stressors can trigger the condition

Question 3

List the signs of hypocalcaemia in sheep

Answer 3

can see bloating- because unable to eructate
weakness
prolonged cases- green fluid at external nares

Question 4

Decsribe how to treat hypocalcaemia in sheep

Answer 4

25-40 ml 40% calcium borogluconate over 30-60 seconds IV

Question 5

List the risk factors of pregnancy toxaemia

Answer 5

Occurs in late pregnancy
Older or thinner ewes are more prone
Carrying multiple foetuses increases risk
Any stressor can trigger the condition

Question 6

List the clinical signs of pregnancy toxaemia

Answer 6

ewe not eating
nervous system signs- tremors, blindness
lethargic or comatose
lie on their side

Question 7

why should we not just feed heavily pregnant ewes more

Answer 7

makes vaginal prolapses more likely
dystocia more likely
increases risk of milk fever as degregulates parathyroid hormone response
Perversely increases pregnancy toxaemia risk as deregulates insulin response

Question 8

how can we prevent pregnancy toxaemia in sheep

Answer 8

Encourage exercise during late pregnancy by separating feed, water and minerals to encourage walking- helps increase utilisation of the glucose in the body

Question 9

Describe how to manage pregnancy toxaemia

Answer 9

Propylene glycol
IV glucose- won’t last long, but they will respond well
Can induce parturition- steroids and PGF2a
encourage eating - e.g. minerals in molasses

Question 10

Describe how to treat hypomagnesaemia in sheep

Answer 10

40ml Mag subcut
20ml red top (calcium???)- IV

Question 11

List 4 ways to manage staggers in sheep

Answer 11

1. feed high fibre diet to increase gut transit times
2. routine soil analysis - showing magnesium level in soil
3. Modify bagged fertiliser applications so K applications are carried out later in the season.
4. A regular supply of Magnesium in the diet e.g. offer free access minerals

Question 12

initial scrapie signs

Answer 12

pruritus and nervous signs

Question 13

list the initial resp disease signs

Answer 13

pyrexia and respiratory stridor

Question 14

list the initial listeria signs

Answer 14

neurological and unilateral facial parlysis