[morri2]

My 2 year old Dorset ram has developed runny, half closed eyes and looks quite lethargic - poor appetite (doesn't want any sheep nuts!!!) and is generally under the weather. Have not noticed any respiratory problems and only a very slightly wet nose, not running as such, eyes have no yellow discharge, just a bit swollen and watery.  Anyone know what's wrong with him?  So far I've bathed his eyes with salt water and he has had a shot of penicillin.  He was sheared yesterday so I'm wondering if he's picked up an infection from the shearers rig/board. 

[Moleskins]

My first thought if it was one of my sheep would be Pasteurella brought on by the stress.
Antibiotics and Antiinflamatory injections from the vet did the trick in all 3 cases.

[morri2]

Nearly 3 days on and my ram is no better - don't think is Pasteurella though Moleskins, 'cos there's no other signs, just the swollen and runny eyes, no runny nose or breathing problems and no temperature.  He is standing up and nibbling at the odd bit of hay or grass and one or two sheep nuts, but not interested in eating at all.  Last 24 hours he has had very, very watery diarrhea but this may be due to the lucozade and water we have been giving him to give him a bit of a boost.  He has been wormed incidently.   A local farmer thinks it may been poisoning, but heaven knows where from.  The others in the field with him are fine and I can see no sign of anything known to be poisonous to sheep, although thats  not to say he didn't pinch something growing through the hedge or undergrowth! He really does look sorry for himself.

[Freddiesfarm]

Try some ivy leaves - they are normally good for getting the digestion working again and maybe a bit of bio yoghurt.  Also if his eyes are gammy, have you tried opticlox or something like that which you put in the eyes - I know when I get conjunctivitis it hurts like hell and I don't want to do anything.

Sadly it is quite common for sheep to fall ill after shearing -  I have seen them have heart attacks when being sheared. 

How old is he?  And what kind of condition was he in before this?

[morri2]

He's two, and was fine before he went to be sheared.  His eyes have stopped running now and they are quite clean as I've bathed them, but his eyelids are quite swollen so his eyes look half closed!  He still has watery poo but at least he's drinking plenty - still no interest in food though.  Its a bit of a mystery this one.

[Hardfeather]

Could he have had access to Rhodedendron? You could try drenching him with strong black coffee.

[shrekfeet]

Hi Morri, have you checked the grazing for Ragwort?

[morri2]

No rhodedendrons around here thankfully, no ragwort either.  Haven't heard of black coffee treatment before -   I suppose its the caffeine that does the trick... although I might get to it first!!!

He's a touch better today - eating sheepnuts and nibbling the grass. The diarrhea has eased off after yesterday, just hope he's on the mend (never can tell with sheep).  In the circumstances it could well have been poisoning, from where though, I really don't know!   Thanks for the replies everyone.