[in the hills]

One of our Soay ewes has been coughing for a few weeks now. It isn't all the time but hear her most days . It doesn't last for long.

She appears otherwise to be fine. Eating, normal weight (not in lamb), lively, alert, stays with the rest of the flock.

Had a FEC on flock a few weeks ago and vet said score was extremely low and no need to worm. They were given a fluke treatment as vet said that she would recommend that anyway as they treated if even a low score was seen.

She is slightly undershot and seems sometimes to have a little cough when munching on her coarse mix though I do hear her at other times too.


Should we be concerned? Could it be a symptom of anything?

[TheSmilingSheep]

Well, if it's a persistent cough it may be a symptom of lungworm.... a bit unusual, but we've just had to treat it.... same treatment as other worms.... but a normal FEC wont identify it, you have to have a sample sent out to a lab (by the vet) cost us about £30...  we just a had a few coughing intermittently, no signs of bad health otherwise, but we're a tad overstocked so grass very short this winter...

[in the hills]

Oh right. Thanks.

Is it a 'poo' sample?

It is only the one ewe  but it has been for a few weeks now. Just occasionally.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Could it be lung damage at all? I was think pneumonia, but there would be symptoms other than that.

[kanisha]

Out of interest what did you use to treat lung worm Smiling sheep?

[in the hills]

I don't think it would be pneumonia WBF. I've tried to look it up but that seems to have other symptoms as you suggest. She's not lethargic, depressed or losing weight as far as I can tell. Seems bright just don't want to leave anything that needs treating. We've been very lucky with our little flock in the 7 year or so that we've had them but as a consequence still feel like a real novice where any ailments are concerned.

[TheSmilingSheep]

I think that every time we experience something new we feel like novices!
Lungworm treated like any other worm - so a worming drench.  We used ablex (on advice of vet).
The test is a FEC, but as said requires a bit more than most vets can do on site.... so we collected a sample from about ten of our flock, it was sent away and results in 2-3 days showed lungworm larvae.... Have drenched the whole flock (first time that's been necessary in four years), and now all look fab and no coughing!
In fairness, vet was surprised, and only tested for that at our request....
As ever, it may something or nothing.... ho hum!

[in the hills]

Thanks for that TheSmilingSheep.


Will pop in and have a chat with the vets about it.