The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Crossways on January 21, 2015, 07:14:16 am

Title: In lamb ewes with mild bloat
Post by: Crossways on January 21, 2015, 07:14:16 am

I've got a pair of ewes that have developed a mild bloat. They are due in around 6 weeks and they are in lamb to twins and triplets. I've heard that being in late gestation with multiple lambs can cause this?

Gut is blown out further than their ribs, eating, drinking, pooing and peeing all fine. They don't even seem to be uncomfortable.


Do I need to worry? Vet didn't say a lot, can I do anything?

Title: Re: In lamb ewes with mild bloat
Post by: Me on January 21, 2015, 08:24:41 am

I wouldn't worry too much, ewes very rarely die of bloat vs cattle, I have one or two that bloat to colossal proportions on certain fields and are absolutely fine

Title: Re: In lamb ewes with mild bloat
Post by: landroverroy on January 21, 2015, 02:40:45 pm

 If you're still worried then give them some vegetable oil - about 100ml should do. Administer with a drenching gun, or a small plastic drinks bottle. Bicarbonate of soda is also quite effective. Add a desert spoonful to some food.
Bloat may not kill them but it won't do any good at this stage of pregnancy.

Title: Re: In lamb ewes with mild bloat
Post by: Marches Farmer on January 21, 2015, 02:50:42 pm

Are you sure it's bloat?  If they're in good condition lambs + fat + rumen means there's not much room inside.

Title: Re: In lamb ewes with mild bloat
Post by: Crossways on January 21, 2015, 06:57:04 pm

They did it quite suddenly. So I Don't think it's lambs etc. I'll give them some oil when we vaccinate them and try bi carb.

Thanks all