Metabolic Disease in Sheep

Milk Fever in Ewes 

Milk Fever is common throughout New Zealand in mature ewes, normally occurring in late pregnancy and occasionally after lambing. A disturbance in calcium occurs and blood calcium drops. Outbreaks in ewes are often precipitated by sudden changes in feed quantity and quality, typically moving onto green cereal crops (inherently low in calcium) and feed restriction while yarding or driving.

​Clinical Signs:

The clinical signs seen are restlessness, muscular tremors, wobbly gait, depression, bloat, sternal recumbancy, progressing to a deep coma, circulatory failure and death.

Grass Staggers in Ewes

Grass Staggers or Grass Tetany (Hypomagnesaemia) in ewes is an occasional cause of sudden death. Seen mainly in mature lactating sheep, however it is also reported in dry sheep as well. It is caused by low magnesium in the diet (and therefore in the blood), usually occurring in springtime. Low magnesium can predispose ewes to Milk Fever.

​Clinical Signs:

Clinical signs can be hard to distinguish from other metabolic diseases. Ewes become dull and depressed, stop eating and become staggery. If disturbed the ewe will develop muscle tremors and collapse with the neck thrown back. If left untreated the ewe will progress to convulsions with severe limb paddling and frothing at the mouth followed by death.

Sleepy Sickness in Ewes

Sleepy Sickness or pregnancy toxaemia is common and seen in all parts of New Zealand where sheep are reared. Ewes carrying twins or triplets are predisposed to this condition. It is caused by a disturbance of carbohydrate and fat metabolism from a falling plane of nutrition in late pregnancy. Bad weather and any concurrent disease affecting appetite can aggravate this.

​Clinical Signs:

A drop in blood glucose occurs with clinical signs seen such as dullness, teeth grinding, inappetence, unusual posture, muscular spasm and apparent blindness, progressing on to coma and death.

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