[lowlander]

One of our Shetland ewes has what seems to be a mild case of bloat. We have been away and our friend who was looking after them noticed her left flank distended and quite rightly called the vet to be on the safe side. I arrived back as vet arrived. He thought it was frothy bloat - gave her a dose of bloat drench after trying to tube her stomach (not much effect). We have since given her another dose of the bloat medication. She is now inside with her lambs and is eating hay, seems quite comfortable but is still quite distended but not really hard. My instinct is to leave her be now as I suspect the stress of each intervention is not helping!

Have just been out to check the others and there is one other whose left side is a little distended - but she is eating and moving about normally. Have no more vet drench but is it worth catching her and giving her the bi-carb/olive oil/water mix recommended on here or should I try and get some more bloat stuff from the vet? Or just monitor her? Is it likely that there is another one or am I just getting paranoid?!

They haven't moved pasture recently - the grass is not particularly lush or long (some long reedy grass but they don't eat that) - no clover - and though it rained a bit this morning - not more than any other day in Yorkshire! Would appreciate any advice  - have only had the sheep since November and have no experience of this. Thanks.

[lowlander]

The first ewe is much better now after the second dose - gone back to normal size and stomach much softer. She is eating well. Am keeping her in with just hay to eat overnight and all being well she can go back out in the morning. I checked on the other ewe a few hours after posting and when I went in the field she galloped across to see me with the others, then munched down happily on the grass. No sign of any discomfort or any distension. Think perhaps she just had a full stomach and I was seeing bloat everywhere! So hopefully an isolated case. 

[fiestyredhead331]

  hope they are fine, but having one case certainly makes you more vigilant!

[lowlander]

Just wish I had an idea what caused it. Everything I have read suggests it is long, wet grass, clover, change to rich pasture when it is wet etc. None of that in this case. In fact no change to diet at all and fairly average pasture at the moment. So will definitely be being vigilant for any more signs!

[SallyintNorth]

When they've been recently clipped it's easier to be sure.  Watch the sheep for a few minutes; when their digestion is working properly you can see (or if you have them held you can feel) the 'rumen wave' progress across and along their left flank. It should do this every 30 seconds or so, and should be accompanied by a belch as they expel the rumen gases.

If there's no rumen wave, and their left side is distended and hard, then it's probably bloat.

The yoghurt / bicarb / ginger /oil mixture really does work, and massaging the left side will also help.

[lowlander]

Thanks Sally that is really helpful. Will watch for that. She was completely back to normal shape this morning so back with her buddies in the field.