{"id":7856,"date":"2015-12-04T12:20:12","date_gmt":"2015-12-04T12:20:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/?page_id=7856"},"modified":"2016-04-18T13:59:46","modified_gmt":"2016-04-18T12:59:46","slug":"pregnancy-toxaemia-in-sheep","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/disease-management\/sheep-diseases\/pregnancy-toxaemia-in-sheep\/","title":{"rendered":"Pregnancy Toxemia in Sheep"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"printfriendly pf-button  pf-alignright\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/disease-management\/sheep-diseases\/pregnancy-toxaemia-in-sheep\/?pfstyle=wp\" rel=\"nofollow\" onclick=\"pfTrackEvent(&#039;Pregnancy Toxemia in Sheep&#039;); return false;\" title=\"Printer Friendly, PDF & Email\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"pf-button-img\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.printfriendly.com\/buttons\/printfriendly-pdf-email-button-notext.png\" alt=\"Print Friendly, PDF & Email\" style=\"width: 110px;height: 30px;\"  \/>\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div><\/p>\n<h2>Sheep Diseases<\/h2><div id=\"gticontainer\"><div class=\"gti_clear\"><\/div><div id=\"gti_letterindex\"><ul><li><a href=\"#gti_all\">All<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_A\" href=\"#\">A<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_B\" href=\"#\">B<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_C\" href=\"#\">C<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_E\" href=\"#\">E<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_F\" href=\"#\">F<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_G\" href=\"#\">G<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_H\" href=\"#\">H<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_J\" href=\"#\">J<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_K\" href=\"#\">K<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_L\" href=\"#\">L<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_M\" href=\"#\">M<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_N\" href=\"#\">N<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_O\" href=\"#\">O<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_P\" href=\"#\">P<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_R\" href=\"#\">R<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_S\" href=\"#\">S<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_T\" href=\"#\">T<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_W\" href=\"#\">W<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"gti_clear\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tagindex\"><div id='gti_div_A'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_A'>A<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/acidosis-ruminal\/\">Acidosis - Ruminal<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/adenomatosis-pulmonary\/\">Adenomatosis - Pulmonary<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/arthritis-in-sheep\/\">Arthritis in Sheep<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_B'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_B'>B<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/barbers-pole-worm\/\">Barbers Pole Worm<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/sheep-blowfly-strike\/\">Blowfly Strike<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/border-disease\/\">Border Disease<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_C'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_C'>C<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/campylobacteriosis-2\/\">Campylobacteriosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/ccn\/\">CCN<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/cerebrocortical-necrosis\/\">Cerebrocortical necrosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/chlamydial-abortion\/\">Chlamydial Abortion<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/circling-disease\/\">Circling Disease<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/cobalt-deficiency-in-sheep\/\">Cobalt Deficiency<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/coccidiosis-in-lambs\/\">Coccidiosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/coenurosis\/\">Coenurosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/contagious-ecthyma\/\">Contagious Ecthyma<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/contagious-pustular-dermatitis\/\">Contagious Pustular Dermatitis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/contagious-respiratory-tumours\/\">Contagious Respiratory Tumours<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/copper-poisoning\/\">Copper Poisoning<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/cryptosporidiosis-in-lambs\/\">Cryptosporidiosis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_E'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_E'>E<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/e-coli-infection-in-lambs\/\">E. coli infection in lambs<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/eimeria-in-sheep\/\">Eimeria in sheep<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/encephalitis-listerial\/\">Encephalitis - Listerial<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/endoparasites-in-sheep\/\">Endoparasites in Sheep<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/enzootic-abortion-in-ewes\/\">Enzootic Abortion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_F'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_F'>F<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/fasciola-hepatica-in-sheep\/\">Fasciola<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/fly-strike\/\">Fly Strike<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/foot-abcess\/\">Foot Abcess<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/foot-rot\/\">Foot Rot<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_G'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_G'>G<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/granuloma\/\">Granuloma<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/grass-staggers-in-sheep\/\">Grass Staggers in sheep<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_H'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_H'>H<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/haemonchus\/\">Haemonchus contortus<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/hairy-shaker-lambs\/\">Hairy-shaker lambs<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/hypomagnesaemia-in-sheep\/\">Hypomagnesemia in Sheep<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_J'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_J'>J<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/jaagsiekte\/\">Jaagsiekte<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/joint-ill-sheep\/\">Joint-ill<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_K'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_K'>K<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/ketosis\/\">Ketosis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_L'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_L'>L<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/listeriosis-in-sheep\/\">Listeriosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/liver-fluke-sheep\/\">Liver Fluke<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/louping-ill\/\">Louping-ill<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_M'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_M'>M<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/magnesium-deficiency-2\/\">Magnesium Deficiency<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/mange-psoroptic\/\">Mange - Psoroptic<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/myiasis\/\">Myiasis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_N'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_N'>N<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/nematodirus\/\">Nematodirus battus<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_O'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_O'>O<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/orf\/\">Orf<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_P'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_P'>P<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/parasitic-gastroenteritis\/\">Parasitic Gastroenteritis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/pen\/\">PEN<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/polioencephalomalacia\/\">Polioencephalomalacia<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/pregnancy-toxaemia-in-sheep\/\">Pregnancy Toxemia<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/pulmonary-adenomatosis\/\">Pulmonary Adenomatosis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_R'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_R'>R<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/roundworm\/\">roundworm<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/roundworms-in-sheep\/\">Roundworms in Sheep<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/ruminal-acidosis\/\">Ruminal Acidosis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_S'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_S'>S<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/scab\/\">Scab<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/scald\/\">Scald<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/sheep-scab\/\">Sheep Scab<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/shelly-hoof\/\">Shelly Hoof<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/suppurative-polyarthritis\/\">Suppurative Polyarthritis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_T'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_T'>T<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/taenia-multiceps\/\">Taenia multiceps<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/teladorsagia-circumcincta\/\">Teladorsagia circumcincta<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/thiamine-deficiency\/\">Thiamine Deficiency<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/toxaemia\/\">Toxemia, Pregnancy<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/toxoplasmosis\/\">Toxoplasmosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/trichostrongylus\/\">Trichostrongylus<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_W'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_W'>W<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/watery-mouth-disease\/\">Watery Mouth Disease<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/white-line-separation\/\">White Line Separation<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/white-liver-disease\/\">White Liver Disease<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/worms-in-sheep\/\">Worms in Sheep<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h4>Pregnancy Toxemia<\/h4>\n<p><em><strong>Also known as: Ketosis, Toxemia<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Pregnancy toxemia is a common metabolic disorder of ewes that is caused by the increased energy requirements in the late stage of pregnancy <b>being greater than the energy provided by the diet consumed<\/b>. It occurs in sheep usually carrying multiple fetuses. It is widespread and may affect any age or breed of pregnant ewe. Ewes in over-fat or very poor condition are most at risk.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"responsive\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7864\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Ewes-grazing-on-a-hill.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7864\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7864\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Ewes-grazing-on-a-hill-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Ewes grazing on a hill\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Ewes-grazing-on-a-hill-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Ewes-grazing-on-a-hill.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-7864\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>While many factors contribute to body condition, ewes which are in poor body condition at mating are invariably in low condition during late pregnancy and are predisposed to pregnancy toxemia.<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span>Pregnancy toxemia is characterized by <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Low blood sugar\">hypoglycemia<\/a><\/span> and <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Abnormally high levels of ketones in the blood\">hyperketonemia<\/a><\/span> resulting in the animal being unable to maintain an adequate energy balance (<a href=\"#ref\">Cal-Pereyra <em>et al<\/em>., 2015<\/a>). There are two factors involved in the development of <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Low blood sugar\">hypoglycemia<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>The glucose requirement of the uterus may increase to more than 40% of the total liver glucose output (<a href=\"#ref\">Lindsay and Oddy, 1985<\/a>). This situation may be exacerbated by the limited feed intake of the ewe due to the volume of the uterus in late pregnancy.\u00a0<strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(DMI decreases from 1.54 kg at day 130 to 1.25 kg at day 145 of pregnancy).<\/span><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>The <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Pertaining to hormones and the glands that make and secrete them\">endocrinological<\/a><\/span> status of the ewe changes in late pregnancy. The lower circulating levels of insulin, together with higher levels of growth hormone, progesterone and prolactin in late pregnancy, tend to encourage <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Low blood sugar\">hypoglycemia<\/a><\/span> (<a href=\"#ref\">Vernon <em>et al<\/em>., 1981<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Low blood sugar\">Hypoglycemia<\/a><\/span> is usually followed by <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Abnormally high levels of ketones in the blood\">hyperketonemia<\/a><\/span> (<a href=\"#ref\">Scott and Woodman, 1993<\/a>). This is due to increased fat mobilization (fat released from stores to be converted into energy). The resulting ketone bodies can be used as a source of energy, but excess will result in <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Abnormally high levels of ketones in the blood\">hyperketonemia<\/a><\/span>, which in the toxaemic ewe is accompanied by metabolic <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Increased acidity in the blood and other body tissue\">acidosis<\/a><\/span>. Some of the fatty acids escape oxidation and instead are reconverted into fat, which is deposited in the liver (<a href=\"#ref\">Henze <em>et al<\/em>., 1998<\/a>). Hence, a typical feature of pregnancy is fatty infiltration of the liver and kidneys, indicating a major disturbance of the fat and carbohydrate metabolism (<a href=\"#ref\">Henderson <em>et al<\/em>., 1982<\/a>) or &#8220;fatty liver&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Clinical signs are associated with a <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Low blood sugar\">hypoglycemic<\/a><\/span> <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"A disorder of the brain\">encephalopathy<\/a><\/span> (<a href=\"#ref\">Jeffrey and Higgins, 1992<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Scott <em>et al<\/em>., 1995<\/a>) and include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Depression<\/li>\n<li>Fine head tremors<\/li>\n<li>Blindness<\/li>\n<li>Weakness<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"State of lying down or reclining\">Recumbency<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The ewe is anorexic and isolates herself from the rest of the flock. Fetal death in utero is common and may result in some improvement of the ewe&#8217;s condition. The ewe may have to be assisted in lambing these dead lambs. Up to 90% of the ewes affected may die if left untreated (<a href=\"#ref\">Hay and Baird, 1991<\/a>). Concurrent <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Low level of calcium in the blood\">hypocalcemia<\/a><\/span> and\/or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/disease-management\/sheep-diseases\/magnesium-deficiency-in-sheep\/\" target=\"_blank\">hypomagnesemia<\/a>\u00a0may complicate the clinical picture.<\/p>\n<div class=\"hr hr3\" style='margin:20px 0px 20px 0px !important;'><\/div>\n<h4>Control and Prevention of Pregnancy Toxemia<\/h4>\n<p><span class=\"responsive\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7859\" style=\"width: 271px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/AHDB-Ewe-Condition-Handout-2015.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7859\" class=\"wp-image-7859 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/AHDB-Ewe-condition-2015-261x300.jpg\" alt=\"AHDB Ewe condition 2015\" width=\"261\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/AHDB-Ewe-condition-2015-261x300.jpg 261w, https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/AHDB-Ewe-condition-2015.jpg 747w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 261px) 100vw, 261px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-7859\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Maintaining ewes at optimal condition of 2.5 &#8211; 3 during the late stage of pregnancy and 2-2.5 at lambing will help minimize pregnancy toxemia. Click on the image to download the AHDB Beef and Lamb guidance on how to condition score ewes.<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The energy requirements of pregnant ewes are highest during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy, when 70 % of the lamb&#8217;s birth weight is gained. Ideally, the ewes should have a body condition score of 2.5-3 six weeks prior to lambing and at least 2-2.5 at lambing. Over-fat ewes are also vulnerable to pregnancy toxemia, as they are more prone to losing their appetite during late pregnancy (<a href=\"#ref\">Henderson, 1990<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>If ewes are exclusively grass-fed, special emphasis should be placed on feeding high quality roughage to ewes in late pregnancy. The quality of the feedstuffs available should be analyzed for energy and protein levels and the diet calculated accordingly. Methods of calculating diets based on the dietary requirements of the pregnant ewes are well researched. Discuss with your extension agent or feed store about having your forage analyzed.<\/p>\n<p>To control feeding requirements of pregnant ewes, the ewes should be divided into groups of ewes with similar nutrient requirements and fed accordingly. Ewes should be grouped in terms of:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Body condition score<\/li>\n<li>Fetal number\u00a0(ultrasound scanning)<\/li>\n<li>Expected lambing date<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Measuring blood metabolites (3-hydroxybutyrate) of the ewes can assess the adequacy of the diet. Health problems, such as footrot, should be treated, and emergency food rations kept at hand in case of extreme weather conditions (<a href=\"#ref\">Hay and Baird, 1991<\/a>).<\/p>\n<div class=\"hr hr3\" style='margin:20px 0px 20px 0px !important;'><\/div>\n<h4>Treating Pregnancy Toxemia<\/h4>\n<p>The results of treating ewes with pregnancy toxemia are often variable and can be disappointing. There are two possible measures to treat the disease:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>The first is to reduce the ewe&#8217;s glucose requirements, either by cesarean section or by artificially inducing <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"The action of giving birth\">parturition<\/a><\/span> using corticosteroids. This can only be done in early cases, and the course of action must be discussed with the farm vet. Close monitoring is vital after induction, as <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Difficult birth possibly needing human intervention\">dystocia<\/a><\/span> is likely in such cases. This course of action may save the ewe and, if near term, the lambs (<a href=\"#ref\">Ford and Evans, 1986<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Hunt, 1976<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li>The second is to increase blood glucose using various remedies. In early cases, oral dosing with glycerol and propylene glycol works best. Intravenous injection with glucose may be used, but requires repeating and may require the <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Things that naturally occur together or are associated\">concomitant<\/a><\/span> use of glycerol and propylene glycol orally. Sodium bicarbonate may be administered to help counteract <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Increased acidity in the blood and other body tissue\">acidosis<\/a><\/span> (<a href=\"#ref\">Andrews, 1982<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Marchant, 1997<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Wierda <em>et al<\/em>., 1985<\/a>). A concentrated oral rehydration solution may also be used (<a href=\"#ref\">Buswell <em>et al<\/em>., 1986<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li>Simultaneous treatment with intravenous calcium may be\u00a0warranted\u00a0if concurrent <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Low level of calcium in the blood\">hypocalcemia<\/a><\/span> exists.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Treatment must be frequent and vigorous during the early stages to be successful as the <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Related to disease\">pathological<\/a><\/span> changes associated with <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Low blood sugar\">hypoglycemic<\/a><\/span> <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"A disorder of the brain\">encephalopathy<\/a><\/span> become irreversible during the later stages of pregnancy toxemia. The affected ewes should be given palatable feed and protected from the weather and bullying flockmates. Special care should be provided to blind ewes. Severely affected ewes may have to be humanely destroyed.<\/p>\n<p>Early cases indicate there may be a nutritional problem that needs immediate correction to prevent further cases (e.g. poor quality forage in late pregnancy).<\/p>\n<div class=\"hr hr3\" style='margin:20px 0px 20px 0px !important;'><\/div>\n<h4>Pregnancy Toxemia and Welfare<\/h4>\n<p>Ewes affected by pregnancy toxemia should be treated without delay. Severe cases should be humanely destroyed. In the case of a general farm problem with pregnancy toxemia, the feeding practices will have to be reviewed and adjusted to prevent future cases.<\/p>\n<div class=\"hr hr3\" style='margin:20px 0px 20px 0px !important;'><\/div>\n<h4>Good Practice Based on Current Knowledge<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Ewes should have a body condition score of 2.5 &#8211; 3 six weeks prior to lambing and at least 2 to 2.5 at lambing<\/li>\n<li>Ewes should be grouped in terms of body score, fetal burden (ultrasound scanning) and expected lambing date and fed accordingly<\/li>\n<li>Health problems such as footrot should be treated<\/li>\n<li>Have the feedstuffs analyzed for energy and protein levels and calculate the diet accordingly, based on dietary requirements of the pregnant ewes<\/li>\n<li>Feed high quality roughage towards the end of pregnancy<\/li>\n<li>Have emergency food rations at hand in case of extreme weather conditions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Farms which have had problems in the past with pregnancy toxemia should have feeding practices reviewed and adjusted as part of the overall <a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/veterinary-questions\/animal-health-planning\/\" target=\"_blank\">Flock Health Plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If cases of pregnancy toxemia do occur<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Act to correct problem immediately after cases start (e.g. change feeding or provide more trough space)<\/li>\n<li>Treat ewes with pregnancy toxemia early with oral products such as glycerol, propylene glycol or concentrated rehydration solution, or inject with glucose<\/li>\n<li>Administer sodium bicarbonate to help counteract <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Increased acidity in the blood and other body tissue\">acidosis<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Consider cesarean section or artificial induction of <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"The action of giving birth\">parturition<\/a><\/span> with the farm vet<\/li>\n<li>In the case of artificial induction of <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"The action of giving birth\">parturition<\/a><\/span>, closely monitor the ewe in case of <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Difficult birth possibly needing human intervention\">dystocia<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Feedstuffs should be analyzed for energy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a id=\"ref\"><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"toggle\">\n<div class=\"toggle-title active\">Pregnancy Toxaemia in Sheep References<span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"toggle-inner\">\n<div id=\"zotpress-6223d9a93b5ea335cad5975bf85dde89\" class=\"zp-Zotpress zp-Zotpress-Bib wp-block-group\">\n\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_API_USER_ID\" style=\"display: none;\">254757<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_ITEM_KEY\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_COLLECTION_ID\" style=\"display: none;\">J3M62ITT<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_TAG_ID\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_AUTHOR\" style=\"display: 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class=\"ZP_CITEABLE\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_TARGET\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_URLWRAP\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_FORCENUM\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n        <span class=\"ZP_HIGHLIGHT\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n        <span class=\"ZP_POSTID\" style=\"display: none;\">7856<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZOTPRESS_PLUGIN_URL\" style=\"display:none;\">https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/zotpress\/<\/span>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"zp-List loading\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"zp-SEO-Content\">\n\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .zp-zp-SEO-Content -->\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .zp-List -->\n\t<\/div><!--.zp-Zotpress-->\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> 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