Enterotoxemia (overeating
disease):
This potentially fatal condition occurs when bacteria (Clostridium perfringens) normally present in the digestive tract release
powerful toxins. Prevention hinges on proper feed management and
vaccination. Employ the following feed management practices to
reduce the possibility of enteroxemia:
Gradually step-up lambs to
high-energy rations.
Avoid sudden ration changes.
Do not let lambs on self-feed go
without feed.
When hand-feeding, avoid feeding
irregularity.
Provide sufficient bunk space.
Feed lambs of similar size together
(avoid wide weight ranges)
Ensure lambs have been dewormed.
Vaccinate and provide booster
immunizations (confer with veterinarian).
Acidosis (grain founder):
Easily confused with enterotoxemia, acidosis is an acute disease
that occurs when excessive ingestion of starch or sugar triggers
production of a large amount of acid in the rumen. Sound feed
management can help prevent acidosis:
If lambs are sorting feed in
self-feeder, process ration to prevent sorting.
Provide at least a small amount of
roughage.
Avoid sudden changes in grain
processing.
Ensure ration is properly mixed.
Do not feed large amount of grain
without first acclimating lambs.
Urinary Calculi (water
belly): High-grain rations are
typically high in phosphorus, which predispose rams and wethers to
formation of urinary stones. The condition can also occur in sheep
on succulent pastures or on grain stubble. The inclusion of
ammonium chloride in diets of susceptible sheep has been shown to
lessen the likelihood of urinary calculi. Ensuring unlimited access to
fresh, clean water is also important in preventing urinary
calculi.
Polioencephalomalacia
(PEM):
High-grain diets (especially diets which contain corn by-products)
may predispose sheep to a thiamine deficiency, resulting in
neurological symptoms. Addition of thiamine to the diet may help
prevent PEM.
Pregnancy Disease
(ketosis):
Ewes in poor body condition, overly fat, or those carrying twins
or triplets are at higher risk of succumbing to ketosis. A
disturbance in carbohydrate metabolism causes ketosis. Proper feed
management will help prevent ketosis. Ewes should be kept in
proper body condition and fed to support the rapidly growing fetus
during the last six weeks of gestation. Avoid stressing ewes as
stress may trigger ketosis, especially in highly susceptible ewes.
Propylene glycol drenches and glucose injections may help treat
ketosis if administered in the early stages. Ensure ewes in the
last trimester of gestation are provided with ample opportunity to
exercise (such as walking) and have access to pasture/browse if
possible.
Grass Tetany:
This condition is seen predominately in lactating ewes grazing
lush or rapidly growing spring pasture. It has also occurred when
sheep graze irrigated pastures or when pastures have received
heavy applications of nitrogen fertilizer. Low blood magnesium
level is a factor in development of grass tetany. Prevention can
be accomplished by providing supplemental magnesium to sheep
grazing forages that predispose sheep to grass tetany.
Extensive sheep production
information can be found in the Sheep Production Handbook
published by the American Sheep Industry Association, 9785 Maroon
Circle, Suite 360, Centennial, Colorado 80112 ● Phone 303-771-3500
● www.sheepusa.org ●
info@sheepusa.org
