[in the hills]

One of our Soay ewes looks very 'round'. They are about 5/6 years old and not been lambed for the last 2 years. We have 8 of them on about 2 acres of roughish hill grazing. Fed ad lib hay in winter and tiny amount of concentrates every week ..... just to keep them tame really.

Our Soay naturally vary a lot in size, shape and fleece type. This ewe has always been 'rounder' looking but this seemed to become more exaggerated towards the end of the winter.  Looks a bit 'bloated'. Both sides appear even. Caught them up a couple of nights ago to roo, inject and Crovect. Her fleece was very heavy and came off easily but underneath it was down to bare skin in many places ..... other ewes had new fleece already growing. Although very round looking her spine and hip bones are more visible than they are on other sheep .... not sure if this is due to how her fleece has come off and being 'bare' in places. Behaviour is normal really though she has appeared at times to be a touch slower than the others. Sat with them this morning and can't really say that she seems ill or anything. She is grazing as normal and stays with the flock.

Could this be a problem or is she just getting fatter as she ages and hasn't lambed? Any ideas?

[Fleecewife]

I would say that is not normal 

[in the hills]

Any ideas what the problem could be FW?

[Marches Farmer]

First thoughts would be loss of fleece is often due to stress of some sort and are you absolutely sure she's not in lamb?  I think a word with your vet may be in order.

[in the hills]

Thanks MF.

She is running with 2 Soay 'wethers' but was with the same 2 boys last year and no lambs so don't think she could be in lamb. Always possible that a neighbours tup got in I suppose but check them several times each day and not seen any intruders. Could she have been caught through the fencing??

Will check her bag.

None of the other ewes look as round though they do look plumper than in past years.

Will catch her up and get the vet to look over her as soon as I can. Will probably take a few days as they are very wise after being treated.

[in the hills]

No visible bag and her bits look normal. Grazing, cuddling as normal. Looks heavy underneath as well.

[Sbom]

I have an old girl who is very bloaty looking, only noticed since shearing but could have been longer. She seems fine otherwise but will be culling at weaning.

Skin looks itchy/ licey?

[roddycm]

maybe she has some sort of growth inside? It doesn't look like fat, its more of a swelling. If she were fat it would cover her spine too. I would ask the vet... if you have a nice friendly farm vet who knows about sheep that is! Hope she's ok

[Fleecewife]

I'm sorry, I have nothing to add, beyond that a visit to the vet is the only way you can know for sure.  A few years ago I had a Heb ewe who looked as huge post lambing as she had before.  One side was larger than the other though.  I never did discover why she was like that, but she lived for years, and lambed several times     But your Soay is worse than she was.  One way to find out if it's fluid or air is to place one hand on the swelling, then tap with the other, all over.  If air, it will sound hollow, otherwise not.  You could also try pushing the belly from side to side and listen for sloshing, and put your ear on her side and listen for normal bowel sounds.
Don't forget that sheep are prey animals and will look well sometimes until the last moment.  I hope it's nothing.

[shep53]

 For a sheep in its prime and not lambed for 2 yrs she is very lean cs looks 2 or less and skin /fleece not healthy looking , when  a sheep is very lean they can look  round  , when was she last  wormed /fluked   ? is her mouth ok  front and side not a cud spiller is she ?

[in the hills]

Thank you all.

Will ask my farming neighbour to have a little look at her first of all. He will probably be able to rule out the possibility of her being in lamb by just looking at her and might have some ideas. He lets out some of his land now so there were texel tups in the field next to theirs but I don't think it's that. Will just rule that out first because wouldn't want to stress her if any chance she was.

They have been wormed\fluked but can treat again ... will speak to vet about her and best treatment.

Fingers crossed.