The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: crobertson on September 09, 2016, 07:29:49 pm

Title: BlOAT IN EWE ? HELP / ADVICE
Post by: crobertson on September 09, 2016, 07:29:49 pm
Our texel shearlings have recently moved on to new pasture a couple of days ago. Last night I noticed one seemed quite large, checked this morning the same but happily walking around and eating.
I have just checked again, she was lying down until I walked right the way over to her, looked very large particularly on the left side, she got up and started grazing again but is performing movements I can only describe as similar to lambing / star gazing (turning head to side / obvious discomfort in stomach) whilst still walking around eating.

Basically what can we do right now - I am getting together a mixture of bicarb of soda, water and a little oil ????? she is very friendly and easy to catch. Should I bring her in off pasture as she wont stop grazing ???

Much appreciated
Title: Re: BlOAT IN EWE ? HELP / ADVICE
Post by: Marches Farmer on September 09, 2016, 08:15:37 pm
Thread at the top of this section.  May be down to long, wet grass now the dew is settling.
Title: Re: BlOAT IN EWE ? HELP / ADVICE
Post by: Anke on September 09, 2016, 08:24:10 pm
Not much water, mainly oil and bicarb, try and massage (you want gas exiting at both ends) and yes take her off grass, immediately.
Title: Re: BlOAT IN EWE ? HELP / ADVICE
Post by: crobertson on September 09, 2016, 09:11:27 pm
Thanks for the hasty advice, we syringed the bicarb and started massaging the rumen for about 20 mins - many burps later she does look more deflated !!!
Title: Re: BlOAT IN EWE ? HELP / ADVICE
Post by: Anke on September 09, 2016, 09:52:16 pm
She will need to have a belly full of hay before going out to graze onto wet grass... hope all will be well in the morning....
Title: Re: BlOAT IN EWE ? HELP / ADVICE
Post by: Marches Farmer on September 10, 2016, 09:09:24 am
Need to watch her in the future, too.
Title: Re: BlOAT IN EWE ? HELP / ADVICE
Post by: crobertson on September 10, 2016, 03:33:33 pm
After watching her I still knew something wasn't right, still very uncomfortable / twisting around, rounded them up this morning and brought her and a buddy in - shes got flystrike on the back of her neck ! Luckily caught it early nd treated as there was only 2 or 3 maggots.