[Pedwardine]

We have a GotlandxTeeswater ewe, Charity, who is on her third lambing and around 90 days into pregnancy. She's eating fine, lively and bright eyed but she's had an odd discharge from her ladybits. We walked around the field as we always do when we feed the sheep to check for any irregularities and there was a pile of healthy droppings with this gunky stuff in the midst of it so we searched for the guilty bottom and she's the only one with the same stuff on her breeches. It's not a bowel problem as I first thought but definately a vaginal discharge. Anyone have any ideas if it's a sign of anything sinister? Hoping there's not an abortion going on 

[Foobar]

How much gunk?

[Marches Farmer]

Hmm, I have a great distrust of gunk from anywhere at any time, let alone from there in a pregnant ewe.  I think my first course of action would probably be to reach for the Alamycin LA.

[Pedwardine]

We'll give her some AB's then just to cover her.
 
P.S about a saucerfull of gunk

[woollyval]

Hmm, I have a great distrust of gunk from anywhere at any time, let alone from there in a pregnant ewe.  I think my first course of action would probably be to reach for the Alamycin LA.

My thoughts entirely.....

[Foobar]

I only asked about the amount as I've seen teeny amounts (a smear) of "something" in my girls poo in the past whilst pregnant, and they were perfectly healthy.
I agree, a saucerful warrants some ABs.

[Pedwardine]

Yes, she's shed a bit more over last few hours. Upon closer examination it's very thick and mucous-like and reddish brown now. I do wonder if she's expelling a lamb or partial developed lamb. We'll keep a careful watch on her and a keen eye for anything expelled in case of infection getting passed on. Given her a 5ml dose of Oxytetracycline LA. Don't think there's much else we can do, do you?

[SallyintNorth]

If she is aborting you may want to keep her - and what she emits - seperate from the other ewes.  Quite a few of the reasons for aborting are highly contagious and will be passed from the aborted material to the ewes and lambs that come into contact with it, possibly to affect them next year or, in the case of ewe lambs, when they first lamb.

If she does abort and there's nothing obviously wrong with the foetus, you could consider picking up the aborted foetus and getting it to your local Vet Labs asap - if you have some placental material with it and get it there fast they may be able to identify the causative agent if it is one of the contagious ones, and depending on which one it is, you may be able to give prophylactics to the rest of the flock. 

Generally we would not do this on a first abortion, only if we start to get several, but I just wanted to let you know that there is that option.

Best of luck 

[Pedwardine]

Thanks Sally. Just when you think you've experienced most things, along comes another tester hey!

[SallyintNorth]

That's farming! 

[Pedwardine]

I 'phoned the vet this avo. Kate said 4ml PenStrep every day for next five days and to keep any foetus AND placenta if produced. I do feel nervy about this one as haven't experienced anything like it before. I've had a ewe induced to abort with steroids to save the ewe (she had pneumonia) and obviously stillborn lambs. I'm just fearful of her having anything die inside her. I guess we're doing all that we can at this stage and I'll whisk her off to the vets if she takes a turn for the worse.

[Marches Farmer]

I would suspect an abortion agent at this stage, as the foetus generally gets reabsorbed otherwise and, as has been suggested, keep her separate for now, including using separate buckets and keeping a set of clothing and boots just for seeing to her and tending to her after your other sheep.  The antibiotics should prevent septicaemia in the ewe, at least.

[SallyintNorth]

Honey, it happens    She'll be pretty miz while she's aborting and for a day or two after, but generally they come around.  If they do die inside and she can't expell them, the vet will get them out for you. 

On the saving the foetus and placenta - if the vet thinks it worth sending it for analysis, our labs told me they need to get it while it is still very fresh, like within a very few hours.  Next day is too late, they said.

[Pedwardine]

Thanks Sal. She's looking pretty miserable today and took longer to come to the trough. Looked very uncomfortable walking and whilst her rear looked considerable drier yesterday, she's got goo again today. Really searched the paddock but can't see anything iffy around. I think she's just losing it in tiny pieces. I guess this is just nature's way of giving the other inside her a chance. I hope she goes to full term with the second inside her 

[goosepimple]

Just reading this and to say good luck Pedwardine, it must be stressful for you as well