DEATH OF LAMBS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3111, 29 October 1913, Page 17

DEATH OF LAMBS.

FROM RENAL CONGESTION.

AN EXPERT DIAGNOSIS. The following is a copy of a letter somewhat similar to several dozens which Mr A, M. Paterson, Government Veterinarian, lias sent to farmers during the past few weeks, in reply to question regarding mortality among their best lambs: “1 examined the dead lamb you sent me, and found the usual conditions which I have never failed to find present in all well-thriv-ing lambs dying at this season of the year. The conditions found in such cases, and found also n the lamb you sent me, are as follows: Congestion of the liver;. congestion of the kidneys; empty bowels and a stomach loaded woth curdled milk intermixed with wool, in larger or smaller quantities. These conditions arise in this way: The liver becomes loaded with blood rich m food elements; the kidneys become overtaxed in their endeavour to discharge waste matter from the system, the system being thrown into a state of physiological disorder Owing to the deranged condition of the liver and kidneys, the digestive organs and all other organs cease to perform their functions properly. Meanwhile the kidneys become more and more altered in structure, until they become more or less a dirty chocolate-coloured pulpy mass. (In the case of your lamb the pulpiness was complete). The waste material finding no exit from the body, remains there, until it accumulates sufficiently to poison the lamb. “To put the matter in other words:— The lambs get more nourishment than they need. ? his superabundance of nutriment overtaxes certain organs which finally become so diseased that they arc incapable of performing their proper functions, ,and the waste material which they shou d nave eliminated accumulates as poison until death results. Most of the lambs affected with this disease aro single lambs from the best and strongest ewes. 'Those ewes getting the same feed as ewes with double lambs produce more milk than a single lamb needs. The lamb being thus overfed, its various organs arc overtaxed and overcome with the results we have noted. A REMEDY SUGGESTED. “It follows, therefore, that were the feed of those ewes with single lambs lessened in quantity and reduced in quality, it is likely the disease would cease to be so prevalent, if it was not altogether prevented. Tins reasoning is borne out by the fact that some 10 years ago, before we began to force our flocks forward as we now do, this disease was practically unknown. And it finds further support in the additional fact that farmers who x'educe the quantity and quality of feed given to ewes with single lambs suffer very little loss from this disease. Perhaps the best method (were it always practicable) of carrying out preventive measures, would bo to separate at lambing time, the owes with single lambs from those with twins, and to feed each class according to its requirements. “Flocks already affected with the disease should bo placed on less rich feed; and although a few deaths may occur after the change has been made, it should not bo too hastily concluded that the change is to prove fruitless, as those lambs which die on the new pastures were more than likely affected before the change was made, and ■,v.m d doubtless have died in any case; for it, is certain that the disease exists for a considerable time before the animal shows any signs of iil-bcalth. When a lamb is observed to be thriving excessively, it would bo well if the owner concluded from that fact, that congestion of the liver was already present, as it is well known that the primary congestion of this organ, with increase of activity, and consequent rapid growth of the animal, aro but forerunners of serious consequences to follow. If at this stage the mother of the lamb was given three ounces of salts, and placed on poorer feed, the chances aro that the lamb would do well, whereas were it left to chance it would almost certainly succumb to tho disease wo aro considering. ABSENCE OF SALT. “There can be little doubt that the almost habitual absence of salt from the diet, of sheep is followed by serious trouble and lo*s to the farmer, especially on Inland farms beyond the reach of salt spray from th-> sea. Even on farms along the seashore sheep will greedily lick available salt at any season of the year, and dispose of large quantities, when properly served out. How- much more then would this valuable corrective be relished by sheep many miles from tho seaside, and how much would the

flock benefit by the judicious use of salt as an article of diet. APPLICATION OF LIME. “Lime applied to the soil has an almost miraculous effect on stock. Sheep fed on dry land well limed do better than on any other. Adult sheep grow better wool, young sheep fatten more quickly, and disease is little 'known. When the time comes when farmers will work 00-operatively it will be considered the duty of those farming near railway. stations to carry out for the benefit of all, experiments with' lime, various manures, and so on, to demonstrate the efficiency or otherwise of what is thought to bo beneficial for the staple industry of the country. And even now the time is ripe for those near the railway to demonstrate in this district the good results following the use of lime judiciously applied to the soil.”