[ScotsGirl]

I just checked my sheep and one ewe,4yrs old, was leaning into the fence. First I though scratching but then realised she was staggering. Looking to left, fell over eventually and I have her at home in trailer. Still waiting for vet to call back.


She has been heptavac'd and wormed. Any ideas? She is thin, has twins but they are 4 months old now. I have noticed in past she has tapeworm but vet has never bothered when I mention. Could that be it?
Going to give her some multi vits but can't leave phone until vet calls!

[Hellybee]

Sounds like grass staggers/grass tetany

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/metabolic_disorders/disorders_of_magnesium_metabolism/hypomagnesemic_tetany_in_cattle_and_sheep.html


Get some magnesium buckets in, if she s got it others may follow, good luck

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Have any dogs been in the fields, she could have gid, or a lack of something.  She could have a sheep tick.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/111355/selenium-deficiency-in-sheep.pdf
It could be selenium deficiency.

[ScotsGirl]

Given her metacam and antibiotics as both vet and myself think it might be listeriosis which will no doubt end. Sadly. Good news is she has a healthy appetite. She doesn't like me touching her head but I have given vitamins and syringes a little water into her as it is soooo hot. She seemed to like that. Just got to hope she fights it

[Anke]

Yes listeriosis was my first thought, or maybe CCN. Cyst in brain from tapeworm another possibility. None of these probably a good outcome, sorry.

[ScotsGirl]

She seems worse tonight. Lying on her side now with right eye wide open, rolling and pupil dilated. The left one looks sort of normal but she can barely lift her head up. Not sure how long to give her. Looks more like some sort of paralysis. Will have to sort something in morning if not at least sat up.

[Anke]

If she has CCN she would be dead by now, I think a cyst in her brain - as you have observed tapeworm in the past - is a likely scenario. Vet wasn't overly concerned when I found tapeworm in one of my goats, but treated her (and everyone else) with white wormer (Panacur is the only one to kill tapeworm) and never had the problem again.

Liseriosis also attacks the brain, but the open eye would be unusual, usually the eye lid/ear droops on the affected side, and she would drool a lot.  But a 4 year old is a bit older than what you would normally expect - it is usually younger animals with gappy teeth (open places where bacteria can enter) that are more likely to be affected.

Not sure this will have a good outcome...whatever it is. But probably an individual sheep problem not a flock one, and in either case not much you could have done about it.

[ScotsGirl]

Do sheep need turning like horses (to stop lungs flooding)? She's such a dead weight but trying to sit up. Her ear is drooping but not dribbling. I can't decide if my imagination but the droopy side looks like the area around that eye is larger than other side. It's hard though not puffy.


Not much I can do tonight. Will make the call in morning as can't watch her suffer. She must be in pain as grinding her teeth and her belly is rumbling like mad.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

I am so sorry to hear that, its not nice to lose any animal. I reared a lamb last year with half a tongue, crows again. When she was older she slowly faded away and eventually died. Am still very upset whenever i think about her

[ScotsGirl]

Amazingly she is still alive. I was sure she would be dead this morning but she had shuffled round the trailer and manager to sit up. At lunchtime she had move forward a bit and her head was a bit straighter but ear hanging down still. She seems to have an aversion to water,she had a sip from bucket when I held it for her but if I touch her lips with wet hand she panics.


She still scoffed her breakfast and some coarse mix for lunch followed by some multi vitamins. More antibiotics this morning so it's still a waiting game although I will probably have to cull either way eventually 

[Hellybee]

Well her appetite sounds good, positive xx

[waterbuffalofarmer]

I always say were there's life there's hope.

[chonty]

Just thought Id say I had a ewe with listeriosis in March. After alot of coaxing and huge doses of penicillin she came round. So please dont give up hope! Xx

[Anke]

It does sound like listeriosis  -  the AB's work.

[Foobar]

Any news ScotsGirl?