EARLY SYMPTOMS
ADVICE FROM DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Because of numerous reports of sleepy sickness or dopiness in ewes following the recent snowfall, the Department of Agriculture draws attention to its .bulletin No. 173 on the subject “The more correct name for ante-partum paralysis or sleepy sickness is pregnancy toxaemia. It appears to be associated with a feed shortage occurring during the latter part of pregnancy, says the bulletin. “The symptoms occur at 10 to 20 days before lambing is due. The ewe is dull, off feed, and keeps separate from the flock. The earliest noticeable sign is frequently a loss of. control over the limbs, when driven the ewe will trip up or cross her forelegs. Later she will stand stupidly and be moved only with difficulty. The eyes appear glazed and sightless. She may stagger or walk in circles. ' “As the condition gets worse the ewe lies down, coilaping again after walking a fdw paces if raised to her feet She may live for several days in this condition, death occurring' in a few days from when the earliest symptoms supervened. Treatment “Nothing can be done once the case is far advanced because the liver has become completely useless. In the earliest stages, however, while there is a desire for food and the ewe can move about, dosing with one to two ounces of Epsom salts and half a pound of molasses- (repeating the molasses but not the salts) daily, gives a good chance of a cure. If the ewe lambs the symptoms will disappear. “Every effort should be made to supplement tne feed. Good quality hay, preferably legume, and succulent green feed, such as young grass, barley, etc., should be made available if possible,” the bulletin continues. “In cases in which the flock is in high condition daily exercise appears to be of considerable value, both in itself and as a means of picking out affected ewes in the earliest stages (tripping up when driven) for special treatment.” An officer of the Department of Agriculture said the department would support applications for molasses by farmers with this- complaint in their ewes.
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Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24624, 21 July 1945, Page 3
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353EARLY SYMPTOMS Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24624, 21 July 1945, Page 3
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