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| Pregnancy Toxaemia in Sheep |
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 Past experience indicates that if sheep remain in good store condition during the drought then they will experience very little disease - in fact, less than in a normal season. However, if the stock are stressed, then diseases such as Pregnancy Toxaemia (Twin Lamb Disease) are much more likely to occur.
Other diseases of concern that occur most commonly during dry or drought conditions include grain poisoning, pulpy kidney (entertoxaemia), worm and liver fluke infestations, and a range of other diseases. You should contact your veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and management plan.
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What causes pregnancy toxaemia?
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Pregnancy toxaemia is a metabolic disorder of ewes that may occur in the last six weeks of pregnancy. It is caused by a lack of energy in a period when there is a high demand causing a rapid breakdown of body tissue. Therefore mature pregnant ewes with inadequate nutrition are susceptible and those in poor condition, or over-fat and/or with twin or multiple lambs are most at risk. Pregnancy toxaemia can be induced by stress or other conditions causing low intake e.g. worms, foot abscess and yarding.
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What are the signs of pregnancy toxaemia?
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The disease usually appears over several weeks with a few ewes showing signs of standing alone or lagging behind, unsteady walk and apparent blindness. Clinical signs may progress over a number of days. Ewes that are down become very dull and finally may go into a coma. Occasionally the foetus dies and the ewe recovers, though often with difficulty during lambing.
Clinical signs of Pregnancy Toxaemia are the 'tip of the iceberg' and are a sign that the mob is underfed. Severe undernutrition in late pregnancy and lactation will have other production impacts on poor lamb growth, survival and long term production.
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What is the treatment for pregnancy toxaemia?
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Treatment with registered products containing propylene glycol may be successful in the early stages, especially if ewes are still able to stand. Ewes that are down or in a coma usually die despite treatment. Good quality supplementary feed should be provided to, at least, those ewes most at risk. Prevention involves close observation, supplementary feed and careful management during the last weeks of pregnancy.
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What other problems could be present?
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This disease should be differentiated from hypocalcaemia (milk fever), which is also seen in late pregnancy and early lactation but caused by metabolic calcium deficiency. The disease occurs over a short time frame and usually affects more ewes in the flock. These animals usually respond rapidly to treatment with calcium solution and a vet should be consulted.
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Drought Feeding and Management of Sheep
© The State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, 2002.
This material may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or consequences which may arise from your relying on any information contained in this material.
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