Specific problems related to prolific ewes Dr Abu Siam Mazen DVM February 2008

The afeq ewes are a highly specialized animals that need a productive and healthy management - Normal pregnancy risks. - More tendency to pregnancy toxemia. - More tendency to pregnancy hypocacemia. - More tendency to dystocia.

Pregnancy toxemia Metabolic disorder due to inadequate nutrition in late pregnancy. serologically: low glucose and high levels of ketone bodies in the blood. Pathologically: fatty liver. Biochemically: ketosis. Clinically: signs of hepatic encephalopathy.

Pregnancy toxemia Etiolology: - Under nutrition in late pregnancy. - Prolific ewes are more susceptible. - Overweight ewes. - Stress condition. - genetics.

Pregnancy toxemia Pathogenesis: High demands of glucose Lipids mobilization for energy production ketone bodies. gluconeogenesis ketogenesis gluconeogenesis ketogenesis

Fatty liver: yellow and friable

Pregnancy toxemia Clinical signs: Early signs are difficult to detect. - inappetence. - Unusual postures. - Teeth grinding. - Neurological disorders. - Sternal decubitus. - Coma. - Death.

Pregnancy Toxemia

Pregnancy toxemia Diagnosis : - Differential diagnosis with acute hypocalcemia. - Clinical signs. - Positive ketostix. - Blood biochemistry (hypoglycaemia, ketone bodies)

Pregnancy toxemia Prophylaxis : - Identify predisposed animals. (records, genetics, US, BSC in late 6 weeks of pregnancy) - Avoid obesity in early pregnancy. - Attention with over feed lactic acidosis, laminitis. - Build a quality diet not a quantity one. - Attention with over feed lactic acidosis, laminitis. - Build a quality diet not a quantity one.

Pregnancy toxemia Treatment : - Just early treatment is successful. - exercise. - Propylene glycol: 100 ml twice a day. - Ca, sc. - Electrolytes. - Dextrose, glucose. - Corticosteroides. - Induction of parturition.

Hypocalcemia Etiology : Fall of serum calcium and phosphorous levels in late pregnancy. Clinical signs : - Muscle tremors. - Sternal decubitus. - Shallow respiration. - coma. - Death in h occur from heart failure.

Hypocalcemia Diagnosis : - Clinical signs. - Differential diagnosis pregnancy toxemia. Treatment : Calcium borogluconate 20%, ml

Hypocalcemia Prevention : - Avoid high K feeds in gestation. - Avoid hays fertilized with K. - Keep levels of 0.8% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus - Vit D.

Dystocia Difficult lambing with a prolonged delivery that requires assistance. CAUSES - Dystocia related to the parturient ewe. - Dystocia related to the fetus. - Dystocia related to the farmer.

Dystocia related to the ewe - Mymetrial defects. (non common). - Metabolic abnormalities, (hypocalcemia). - Inadequate pelvic diameter. - Insufficient dilation of birth canal due to hormonal disorders. - Uterine torsion.

Dystocia related to the fetus - Fetal oversize. - Fetal death. - Abnormal fetus presentation and posture. - Fetal malformation. - twins.

Different presentation

Treatment - Clean, dry area for lambing. - Hands, instruments should be scrubbed in disinfectants. - Area around the vulva should be cleaned. - vaginal, birth canal and cervix exam. - Use a lubrificant if the canal is not wet to avoid laceration. - Drugs (oxitocin, cortisone). - Manipulate the fetus to the correct position. - Cesarean section.

Drogs post dystocia -intrauterine pessaries. - Oxytocin intrauterine. - Antibiotics. - analgesics.

Vaginitis, vulvitis Trauma post-partum. Clinical signs : - Edema, depression, fever, loss of appetite, fetid exudate. - May developed to vaginal prolapse. - May cause retained placenta. - May developed to metritis.

Vaginal prolapse With or without cervix prolapse Predisposed factors : - Relaxation of the birth canal tissue. - Prolific ewes. - Intra abdominal pressure. - Vaginitis - Genetics - Closed animals

Uterine prolapse Occur a few hours after parturition Treatment : - Removing the placenta. - Cleaning and disinfecting. - Replacing with beginning at the cervical portion. - Insert the hand in the horns. - oxitocin, Ca, antibiotics, analgesics, exercise.

Uterine prolapse

Uterine injury

Retained placenta Fetal membranes expulsion occurs max 12 hours after parturition retained placenta Cotyledones not detach from the caruncular crypts Uterine involution and decline in uterine blood contribute to the retention. Causes : abortion, membranes hydrope, prolonged gestation, twines, placentitis, genetics, nutrition, hormones.

Retained placenta Treatment : - Manual removal - Intra uterine antibiotics - Systemic antibiotics - oxytocin

conclusion Afeq ewes are a prolific animals that need a productive management Afeq ewes are a prolific animals that need a productive management Adequate and quality nutrition Adequate and quality nutrition Vaginal examination post parturition should be routine Vaginal examination post parturition should be routine

THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION