Metabolic disease in ewes
Milk fever (hypocalcaemia) and twin lamb disease (sleepy sickness) are metabolic diseases in sheep mostly attributed to under nutrition. You will usually see these diseases affecting in-lamb ewes in the last few weeks before lambing.
Sudden changes in feed, either feed type or grazing regime, will cause a check in feeding which can lead to either of these problems. Holding for crutching or shearing heavily pregnant ewes, inclement weather, excessive droving or diseases reducing intake can also trigger outbreaks.
Ewes with milk fever or hypocalcaemia will initially stagger about then go down in the sitting position with their head to the side, and appear in a comatosed state. Those left untreated will go into a deep coma after 24 hours and die.
The response to treatment for milk fever is usually rapid (within half an hour) unless complicated by twin lamb disease.
Twin lamb disease or sleepy sickness occurs commonly after a period of feed restriction, often to ewes late in pregnancy bearing multiple lambs. Clinical signs are similar to milk fever but usually slower to progress. Affected ewes will often appear depressed and lag behind initially. Apparent blindness may also be present. Later ewes may become staggery, twitchy around the ears, eyes and muzzle, and froth at the mouth. Some may sit in a star gazing position before going down into a comatosed state, and after several days, eventually die.
The response to treatment for sleepy sickness is variable, and often disappointing. Sheep with the characteristic ‘razor back' and wool pull are very unlikely to respond to therapy. If the ewe is still eating, the prognosis is more favourable, but it is hopeless if she is down and has stopped eating.
It is important to note that lambs born from recovered ewes are commonly stillborn (sleepy sickness), or have poor survival rates (milk fever).
Treatment options
Milk fever - 100-150ml under the skin of the neck of Calpro 250 once only.
Sleepy Sickness - ENERGY in the form of Ewelife (160ml orally 3-6 times daily) or Ketol (120ml orally daily).
Oral fluids and electrolytes (very important due to dehydration) e.g. Revive (2L orally 2-3 times daily). Ensure access to water at all times.
In valuable animals, veterinary attention is required.
Please consult our team of veterinarians if you have any questions in regards to treatment and prevention.
