Decided it was time to update my friends at Countryside on the continuing sick sheep saga. Sorry this is so long.

Can't remember where I left off so... Had initially gotten a report from MSU that the sheep had ketosis. Called back two days later to find out the results of tissue cultures and the vet said that they had a severe uterian and placenta infection. Put everyone on LA200 immediately and continued with the phyprolene drench. Had two more ewes prolapse Tuesday night and put the spoon and harness on one in time (in hind sight, should have put a harness and spoon on both) but the second one was going in and out. Lost the ewe I did not harness on Wednesday morning (this makes 3 out of 15). She had aborted two nice lambs.

Since then eleven are eating hay, some grain and generally looking better. Gave a second shot of LA200 on Sunday, have started molasses in the water and an still drenching one that just refuses to eat. The original prolapse looks pretty swollen, but she seems to be doing ok. Am hoping I can get them to lambing (3-1) and that I can get a few good lambs out of the crop. Seems doubtful though, those babies have had to have been through a lot in there!

Things I learned . . .

Don't wait for the diagnosis . . listen to your gut feelings . . .watch your animals CLOSELY...LA200 is a long lasting, wide spectrum antibiotic that a person should have on hand...prolapses are not easily treated . . .don't change feed suddenly (tried to add aueromyacin and rumendin, caused diarrhea)...treatment is very expensive . . .sheep are a pain in the neck!

I'm feeling better about the situation now . . . on Wednesday when I found the third ewe dead (it was raining and the tractor wouldn't start to get her out of barn) I could have chucked the whole kit and kaboodle. One of those life lessons here on the homestead, once you start something like lambs, you just can't walk away when it gets HARD! Did go to town and treat myself to an Arby's and curly fries (remember I just joined Weight Watchers again)

Thank you all so much for your suggestions and encouragement. The people on this forum are truly the best, I'm glad I found the forum and that I've had the opportunity to learn from your expertise/experiences. Hopefully this will help someone else who's just starting with the critters.

-- Betsy K (betsyk@pathwaynet.com), February 13, 2001

Answers

I feel the same way with auction calves .Bought 2 last Thurs .lost 1 the other is down .I am being more aggresive and still loosing them .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), February 13, 2001.

Betsy,

It seems an odd diagnosis to me. What would have caused the infection in all your ewes? Is it just a result of the prolapse? Are you saying the infection caused the prolapse or the prolapse caused the infection? I can understand the latter, but that doesn't explain why the prolapses in the first place. I'm tired so maybe I just didn't read your post closely enough.

We've had sheep for about 3 years. You've had it rough! It will get better. Kim

-- kim (fleece@eritter.net), February 13, 2001.

Kim, MSU said that the infection was caught through the stomach. More tissue analysis should let me know what exactly they ate/inhaled, etc. The prolapse seems to be caused by the ketosis. From what I can gather so far, if the overload of ketones gets to heavy in the fetuses the ewe's will prolapse which leads to aborting. This seems to be a vicious circle, infection leading to ketosis, ketosis leading to ketone overload, leading to prolapse, leading to abortion. I guess I get to experience everything possible this year.

-- Betsy K (betsyk@pathwaynet.com), February 13, 2001.

Patty:

I've bought and raised about a dozen auction calves without a loss. On the other hand, I've found about a dozen of my calves out in the pasture obviously sick and haven't saved a one, dispite using penicilin, LA 200 and forced feeding.

On the bottle calves, I use the following procedure. They are kept in a separate pen. I get into the pen and examine each calf. Will they let me scratch their head and neck and seem to enjoy it? What does their rear end look like? Do they seem bright and alert or listless. If I put two fingers in their mouth will they suck half- heartedly or agressively. I try to find out why there are there. Sometimes when calves come in with old cows they are separated. What does their navel cord look like, which tells me how old they are (and I figure if it is either dried or gone they are several days old and thus have probably nursed from momma). Since each has their own sales number, I can then bid accordingly. I've probably been lucky, but I believe my prescreening helps.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), February 13, 2001.

I am sorry for the trouble you are having. I am just starting lambing season myself. My first ewelamb aborted two babies. Nice start! Anyway she had a retained placenta and I had to give her a estrogen shot, Penn with Destro shot, prolglene glycol (don't overload on that stuff, it is toxic, plus causes them to go off feed), Nutra Drench, (I give Nutra Drench to all when there is any problems). I don't understand the prolapses though, I have two ewes very heavy with multiples (I think) that have slight prolapses. I have taken them off hay except for a handful to keep the rumen working and just increase grain (very slowly) for energy. I can't believe your ewes are dying. This has never happened to me and I would like to learn as to why. You have me so scared I think I will go to the barn for the rest of the day. Good Luck with the rest, Debbie

-- Debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), February 15, 2001.