OVINE pregnancy toxaemia - also known as twin lamb disease - is a major cause of mortality and ill-thrift at lambing time.
In this article, the National Disease Information Service (NADIS) gives a quick bullet guide to the disease and how to cope with it.
OVINE PREGNANCY TOXAEMIA IS MOST COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH:
- Multiparous ewes
- Three or more lambs
- During the last month of gestation
- Several weeks' energy underfeeding
ECONOMIC IMPACT:
- Response to treatment is poor, with mortality rates around 70%
- Many ewes have a fatty liver adversely affecting treatment outcome
CLINICAL SIGNS:
- Disorientation
- Isolation from the remainder of the flock
- Dull and depressed and are easily caught because they are blind
- Head pressing into the corner of a pen/fence
- Continuous fine muscle tremors around the muzzle and affecting the ears
- Ewe becomes recumbent with the hind legs held out behind
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS:
The important differential diagnoses are
- Hypocalcaemia
- Listeriosis
- Impending abortion
- Cerebrocortical necrosis (CCN)
DIAGNOSIS:
- Diagnosis is based upon clinical signs
- Diagnosis confirmed on blood samples
TREATMENT:
- Response to treatment is generally poor
- Ewes should be penned separately and offered palatable feeds to promote appetite
- Oral propylene glycol or concentrated oral rehydration solution
- Glucocorticoid injection
PREVENTION:
- Scan ewes and feed appropriate ration based on foetal number
- Monitor body condition scores throughout pregnancy
- Check energy supply by measuring BHB in blood samples six weeks before lambing
- Ensure sufficient trough space and at ring feeders
- Weigh feed accurately, especially when using a snacker
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