The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Paulie on May 17, 2015, 09:16:02 pm

Title: Ewe not looking good
Post by: Paulie on May 17, 2015, 09:16:02 pm
More help please guys.
3 yr old ewe that has always looked poor compared to my other. She had twins five weeks ago, took one off as she didn't have enough milk for both. Has seemed to cope ok with one but has gradually got thinner, she started to scour yesterday and now looks shocking!! Poop is greeny brown.
She's lying down a lot, but is grazing occasionally on grass hay and hard feed, she seems to be paying a lot of attention to the salt lick and looks to be drinking plenty.

I don't think she's producing any milk now as udder is tiny but soft and normal in colour.

I've wormed and drenched, anything else I can do before calling the vet?

Thanks in advance!!!!
Title: Re: Ewe not looking good
Post by: Me on May 17, 2015, 09:23:49 pm
Drinking plenty or excessive thirst? Excessive thirst is a very bad sign - I think a vet is a good idea.
Title: Re: Ewe not looking good
Post by: Old Shep on May 17, 2015, 10:26:36 pm
I would bottle feed the remaining lamb and ring the vets about the ewe.  Have you changed her to rich pasture or increased her concentrates?  Both would cause the runs.
Title: Re: Ewe not looking good
Post by: fiestyredhead331 on May 18, 2015, 12:24:29 am
I give mine 5ml of Kaolin, available from boots etc to help with scouring. If she's not producing milk she could also be calcium deficient?
I'm sure someone better qualified will be along with some more professional advice will be along shortly  :fc:
Title: Re: Ewe not looking good
Post by: Hellybee on May 18, 2015, 09:42:33 am
Pop her to the vet, good luck x
Title: Re: Ewe not looking good
Post by: Hellybee on May 18, 2015, 09:47:55 am
Get some collate for her too.
Title: Re: Ewe not looking good
Post by: Paulie on May 18, 2015, 09:50:18 am
Thanks guys, vets coming out at 3.30
Title: Re: Ewe not looking good
Post by: Paulie on May 19, 2015, 08:45:35 am
Vet came, she's pretty stumped as the ewe seems in fine health other than the weight loss, she did name a disease it could be. Bloods and poo sample taken.
Title: Re: Ewe not looking good
Post by: Anke on May 19, 2015, 10:29:56 am
Johne's????
Title: Re: Ewe not looking good
Post by: fiestyredhead331 on May 19, 2015, 10:47:25 am
I had the same thought Anke  :-\
Title: Re: Ewe not looking good
Post by: Hellybee on May 19, 2015, 07:42:07 pm
That or B deficiency?  That would cause thriftiness.
Title: Re: Ewe not looking good
Post by: Paulie on May 20, 2015, 08:39:44 am
Thanks guy, I lost her yesterday, still waiting on test results.
Title: Re: Ewe not looking good
Post by: Anke on May 20, 2015, 10:56:38 am
Could have also been extensive fluke damage as a lamb - if she was three she was born spring 2012 - I have had similar issues with lambs from that year. Never bred them though. they just never thrived.