[charls]

Hiya, found one of my old gals (lleyn x) very poorly this afternoon. Standing alone, drooling with green stuff coming out of her mouth, walking unsteadily and going in circles, and face and ears twitching. I suspected staggers and gave her a big dose of calcium/magnesium. This was a while ago now, and, whilst she's still standing she still seems very ill, still drooling and heavy breathing. Any ideas what the problem could be? I would have hoped to see a little recovery by now. She has two big lambs so I guess another possibility would be low calcium (though treatment is the same). Anyone seen this before? Thanks.

[Anke]

Listeriosis sounds likely from the symptoms you describe, especially the drooling and circling. However once they are this fay down it is very difficult to get them back. Huge doses of AB's (don't know which one though), and loads, I mean loads of tlc. How old is she and is it worth saving her? But I think this needs a vet.

[landroverroy]

Tetracycline is as good as anything for Listeria. (Also known as circling disease for obvious reasons.) The fact that she's still on her feet is slightly encouraging.If you can get some antibiotics into her tonight then she might have a chance.

[charls]

Thanks for the insight. I already gave her pen&strep a little while ago just in case. I considered listeriosis but she isn't drooping on one side? I hope she makes it through the night

[landroverroy]

They don't always droop on one side, but the circling and ear twitching is very characteristic.
If you're not seeing any improvement, I'd be tempted to give her another shot of strep pen to give her a large initial loading as the infection takes hold very fast in sheep.

[Marches Farmer]

I think listeriosis most likely.  I'd consider consulting your vet as penstrep may not be the optimum a/b in this case.

[landroverroy]

Pen strep is actually one of the antibiotics of choice.
I normally use LA tetracycline as I have it in. But PenStrep is meant to be slightly better.

[farmers wife]

disagree on Listeriosis. Think its a mineral/dietary symptoms.  http://www.nadis.org.uk/bulletins/nervous-disease-in-sheep.aspx#CCN


If the ewe has been like this for a few days then the damage has been done and little chance of recovery. If no recovery a couple of days then little chance of any recovery.

[twizzel]

Or instead of second guessing... ring the vet?  if a sheep is that sick it needs a diagnosis asap and your vet is the best person to do this if you don't know what is wrong.

[landroverroy]

So - what was the end result Charis?