[Feebz]

Hi, i would love some advice please, one of our ewes suffered some kind of seizure when spun o ver for a dagging session, she did this when her fleece was shorn in the summer, only this time she is carrying twins and we nearly lost her. She is now very unstable on her feet, although eating and drinking, but is down most of the time, i am expecting her to abort as it was very traumatic.  This is my first year lambing, what can I expect. It wasnt me that did the shearing it was an experienced farmer.
Fee 

[pikilily]

hiya,
oh dear i am so sorry you are having such a worry...and this your first time too!  I do keep sheep but have not had any experience with this problem. can i suggest you repost this on the sheep section so that those more experienced will pick up your question.

there are loads of really experienced folk here so hopefully they will help you!

Emma t

[robert waddell]

you should not have turned her when she is pregnant  any work on them has to be done standing  we had a ewe with bad feet and done her standing or lying down  she lambed alright  maybe a few days early but twins weighing 11 lbs each

[lachlanandmarcus]

Normally I understand that you try not to turn pregnant ewes, so thats a pointer for the future for the management of the breeding ewes. Any trimming etc is either done standing or for the things that can be done earlier, done just before they go to the tup and then left till just after lambing to do again eg hoof trimming.

But in this case you say she also did it while being shorn in the summer? What happened then, was the vet involved and what was the diagnosis then?

If she's having repeated seizures then she's one to send on her way if you get through this episode I would think?

[Hermit]

I agree with Lachlandmarcus, if she only did this when pregnant you could understand it but when just normally handled it could be an underlying problem you dont want to pass on.If you want to keep her have her checked by the vet and see. We have kept ewes with problems hoping it was a one off but it never has been so far. Good luck with her but I would mark her and keep a special eye on her.

[Rosemary]

I'd agree that you shouldn't turn a pregnant ewe, as previously said. I never tip them to dag or do feet - I find it easier to do it with the sheep standing up.

We had a ewe collapse at shearing. It wasn't a seizure ie there were no spasms or anything but she passed out. We reckoned that it was because her rumen was full and putting pressure on the diaphram this stopping her breathing properly. Fortunately, she was a kicker, so Garry noticed immediately that she'd stopped. I had brought the tups in to be sheared and while Garry was doing them, I brought the ewes in off the grass, so their bellies were full.

She was a bit staggery but recovered within an hour or two. Took us and Garry a bit longer  Next time, we brought them in a few hours beforehand to let the rumen empty.

Don't know if it's the same cause. Hope she's OK though.

[Dougal]

Hmmm heard of it happening. I know it can be a tough call but is it woth keeping her if she will do this every time you try handling her? she may just be wired a little differently from the norm? Hope she pulls through mind. I'd agree with evryone on trying not to tip ewes when they are well in lamb, sometimes can't be helped though. next year tailing the ewes might be done standing!

[SingingShearer]

One of my customer's has a sheep that is very nervy and seems to have some sort of fit while being sheared every year but she is always ok afterwards, not sure if there is anything wrong with it but as I said it is very nervous.
Also I have sheared and crutched hundreds of inlamb ewes without any trouble.

Philip

[SallyintNorth]

Yes, try not to tip pregnant ewes up if at all possible - and certainly your experienced farmer friend should have known this and been able to do a bit of dagging / crutching with her stood up.  What a shame that this has happened and you have had this trauma; I hope she pulls through, and the lambs too. 

You could try a hefty dose of B vitamins (Combivit or similar) and/or a good mineral drench.  She may have an underlying condition / deficiency that comes out under stress.  Come to that, a dose or two of Twin Lamb Formula wouldn't hurt her and contains vitamins and minerals as well as sugars and other things.

Best of luck.

[Hazelwood Flock]

I have had a ewe collapse during shearing, and a few smart raps on the ribcage brought her round. The shearer said it was because she had a full belly so stopped her breathing whilst she was bent!
On the subject of not tipping pregnant ewes, I have to trim out the udders on my Dartmoors so have to turn them over to do this. I leave it until the last week and have never had a problem...just lucky I guess! 

[feldar]

Hi, just be sure the two incidences are related; if she is expecting twins this could be a touch of twin lamb disease caused by the lambs taking too much out of the ewe. If you can get some minerals and high energy into her in the form of a lick bucket or drench this will help. If it isn't twin lamb then the bucket wont hurt to give her anyway.
Make sure it's a high energy bucket not high Magnesium
Good luck

[Feebz]

Thank you all for your views on this, so far she has done well, a bit wobbly on her legs, but up and eating and drinking.  they are all in the barn now anyway so i am able to inspect her closely.  she hasnt miscarried yet, I have been told she might as i am sure she stopped breathing at one point. She seems alert and aprt from being a bit unstable fingers crossed she will be ok.  She was turned over to be crutched so her teats were clear ready for the lambs to suckle, we were being shown this by an experienced shepherd, he has never come accross this before either. I will keep you all posted to how she is doing, thanks once again !
 

[Lesley Silvester]

Hope she continues to go on well