The Mechanics of Ewe Obstetrics and Perinatal Conditions

Question 1

5 ways to ensure good health for ewe and lamb

Answer 1

Good Nutrition
Strict culling policy
Selecting replacemt
Good hygeine
Gentle treatment of ewe and lamb

Question 2

Dystocia causes

Answer 2

Abdorminal foetal placement
Foetal maternal disproportion
Deformities
Maternal structural/ functional factors

Question 3

What is ringwomb and possible causes

Answer 3

Cervix less than 5cm dilated 2 hours into 2nd stage labour

Possible causes
Prematurity / abortion
Disturbance in 1st stage labour
Calcium deficiency

Question 4

Treatment of ringwomb

Answer 4

C section
Calcium injection
Attempt manual dilation

Question 5

Evaluate safety of caesarean section in ewes

Answer 5

Outcome often good if
Ewe healthy
No excessive trauma of ewe
Compared to natural deliveryEwe and lamb survival similar

Question 6

Caesarean section - Medications

Answer 6

Before
Antibiotic cover (min. 5-7 day course)
Anti-inflammatory – NSAID
Local anaesthesia

After
Oxytocin

Question 7

Where to inject sheep for local anaesthetic

Answer 7

left flank or inverted L block

Question 8

Drug used for LA

Answer 8

Procaine

Question 9

Peri-parturient diseases

Answer 9

Prolapses
Metritis
Mastitis
Pre-pubic tendon rupture

Question 10

Vaginal prolapses – Risk factors

Answer 10

Excess and inadequate body condition
Type of feed
Lying times
Multiple foetuses
Breed predisposition
Also older ewes

Question 11

Vaginal prolapses – Treatment

Answer 11

check the exposed tissue for damage before commencing
lift prolapse to allow urination
Give antibiotics, NSAIDs and a caudal epidural, the xylazine increases the duration of the epidural significantly so is recommended.
Wash the prolapse thoroughly but gently with dilute disinfectant,

Question 12

What suture to use for prolapses

Answer 12

Retaining sutures should be in the form of a Buhner suture

Question 13

Other forms of vaginal retention

Answer 13

Spoon
Harness

Question 14

Main difference from dealing with uterine prolapse compared to vaginal prolapse it the use of the ________ position, which is useful for both sheep and cattle with uterine prolapse

Answer 14

Frog leg

Question 15

Metritis

Answer 15

Severe infection of the uterus

Question 16

Metritis risk factors

Answer 16

Poor hygiene – both environmental and lambing equipment/hands, Retention of dead lambs,
Uterine prolapse

Question 17

Metritis - Signs

Answer 17

Signs of toxaemia- Depression, Inappetance
Vulval discharge/swelling
Hungry lamb due to decreased milk production and ewe unwilling to stand

Question 18

Metritis - Treatment

Answer 18

Oral or intravenous fluids
Systemic antibiosis (min 5-7 days)
NSAID

Question 19

What bacterial infection causes malignant oedema in the perineal area

Answer 19

Clostridium

Question 20

Mastitis – Signs

Answer 20

Abnormal gait
Sick ewe
Inappetence, isolation, depressed
Udder Swollen ± hard
Milk – watery, clotted or blood tinged

Question 21

Mastitis – Predisposing factors

Answer 21

Mostly within first 3 weeks of lactation
Teat trauma
Orf

Question 22

Mastitis – Causative agents

Answer 22

Common causes:
Mannheimia haemolytica
Staphylococcus aureus
Coagulase negative Staphylococcus spp.

Less common causes:
Streptococcus spp; E. coli

Question 23

Acute mastitis – Treatment

Answer 23

Prompt treatment with system antibiotics and NSAIDs is indicated in cases of acute or gangrenous mastitis, as ewes can rapidly die of toxaemia.

Milking out affected quarters can reduce the bacterial load in the udder

Question 24

Pre-pubic tendon rupture predisposing factors

Answer 24

Older multigravid ewes in late pregnancy

Question 25

Treatment for Pre-pubic tendon rupture

Answer 25

Euthanasia