My pregnant ewe (due around mid-April) has been unenthusiastic about her dinners for about 4 weeks now. It wasn't very noticeable at first but I finally had to admit she was acting a bit different; small appetite, disinterested but otherwise moving and looking normal. The vet came over last week and other than a temp. of just over 103' she seemed alright but put her on aposulfa antibiotics for a week. Well, the temp. is back to normal but still very little appetite and I am really worried. All the other ewes are in excellent health so it isn't any feed or supplements. This ewe lambed last year and is going on 3 years old. She was shorn last Sunday so I keep a light blanket on her and only let them out if it isn't raining (it's turned cold again). I honestly cannot detect any other symptons. Has anyone any ideas?

-- Kathy (homefarmbc@pacificcoast.net), March 16, 2002

Answers

They can get a condition where they need some propylene glycol or Nutri Drench prior to kidding. You may want to give her some of this and some Vit B to help her appetite.

-- Leslie in Western WA (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), March 16, 2002.

What condition is she in? Fat thin??? Her ration is what? I'd probably try a bicarb drench twice a day for three days. I use a small popbottle with about a cyup of baking soda filled with hot water for a drench. You could add some to her water too but go light in the water as they don't like the taste much. Can't say i blame them really. Do you add baking soda to their grain? I'm thinking her rumin is running a bit acid but short of acidosis, without a few more facts it's a bit of a shot in the dark. The Propylene isn't a bad idea either, and the Vitamin B is a must for all eating/diet related problems around here. Daily shots until she's eating better.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), March 16, 2002.

Kathy, I would have like Ross, went for the rumen first, and now especially after the sulfa. Probios, Yeast products, yogurt, baking soda. And also read this article, rarely is it ketosis if the animal is in good shape and the manager knows anything about feeding ruminents, but where is her calcium coming from? http://hometown.aol.com/goatlist/hypocal.htm

If you do opt for propolyn glycol or some other sugars for energy, take the extra step and use calcium (CMPK gel) or the like with it. And propolyn gloycol till mid April isn't likely going to work. With the stress of shearing and bred, what is her worm burden like, is she anemic? (Nice pink gums or grey/white) If this is your best ewe, your low man on the totem pole, the one that is only carrying triplets, the overweight one with just a single, anything that makes her different than the others, it certainly can be feed or supplements. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 16, 2002.

Thank you all for taking the time to answer my question. My sheep are Shetlands and are fed very little grain. At the moment the pregnant girls are getting about one half a pound each. The vet came this morning and suggested 4 days of Depocillin shots plus the glycol (Ketamet). What ever had stopped her eating must have starved her enough to experience a mild case of pregnancy toxemia even though it is still early days. I still can't understand what is stopping her from eating; the vet says her teeth are OK (even though she just felt the jaw and didn't actually open her mouth), said her stomachs sound like they are working. She is now in her own pen with a heat lamp and after two doses of the glycol wants to get out but still not eating!!! My husband and I have lost three parents just this last year and had to put down one of our dear old cats tonight so I am extra emotional about this ewe. After the antibiotic treatment, should I squirt yogurt down her throat? She already hates me because of all the "attention" she is getting. I have never heard of the bicarb treatment. Is this for acidosis?

-- Kathy (homefarmbc@pacificcoast.net), March 17, 2002.

Yes the Bicarb is for acidosis. We add a small amount to the grain as part of thier ration, just to bring the PH up a touch and promote proper rumin flora. Yogurt isn't really the correct bacteria, though it's better than nothing. Your feed store should have some kind of rumin boosting bolus or powder. Vet didn't perscribe calcium for your ewe? What exactly is she getting for feed? Type of hay and type of grain I mean. Pregnant ewes really don't have much room to eat a lot of hay, you might want to bring the grain ration up for all your ewes (depending on what they're getting) To have a problem with one might be showing you a flock problem that's touched your most suseptable ewe.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), March 17, 2002.