ANTE-PARTUM PARALYSIS OF EWES.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XIII, Issue 5, 20 November 1916, Page 365

ANTE-PARTUM PARALYSIS OF EWES.

A NOTE FOR SHEEP - FARMERS.

C. J. REAKES,

D.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S., Director, Live-stock Division.

Ante-partum paralysis of ewes causes every year a considerable amount of mortality, which could be avoided if the necessary, simple, and effective preventive measures were always taken by owners. The trouble is caused by the ewes being too fat, and consequently, when heavy in lamb, particularly when carrying twin lambs, becoming lazy and sluggish and taking too little exercise. The system becomes plethoric, and fat is deposited in the internal organs, particularly the liver and kidneys, whose activity in performing their natural functions is consequently reduced to such an extent that the condition termed ante-partum paralysis is set up. When this trouble makes its appearance in a flock it can be quickly brought to an end by the simple measures of giving compulsory exercise and at the same time reducing the feed, or changing the ewes on to young succulent green-feed —-young oats, for instance. Some striking instances of the value of this practical and simple method of treatment are furnished by Mr. F. Mackenzie, Inspector of Stock, Christchurch, who, with Mr. W. C. Barry, M.R.C.V.S., Veterinarian, has advised several farmers on the Canterbury Plains in the matter this season. Below are Mr. Mackenzie's remarks :

Following are the facts in connection with one of the worst cases of ante-partum paralysis that has come under mv notice for many years. On the 18th September Mr. , of , telephoned that he nad a heavy mortality among his breeding-ewes. In company with Mr. Barry, M.R.C.V.S., I immediately proceeded to the farm, and found that twenty-three ewes had died on the Saturday and ten on the Sunday (the two previous days) out of a small flock of about two hundred and fifty ewes. About ten additional ewes were showing the first symptoms, and several more were in a doubtful state. These ewes did not at first sight appear to be overfat, but on making a post-mortem examination we found them one mass of fat internally. I could see by the way they were lying about that they took little or no exercise. I learned from the owner that he had another small farm about two miles farther along the South Road. I advised him to drive his ewes quietly along to this farm in the forenoon and back again in the evening for a few days.

I am enclosing a letter from him, and you will see from this that the mortality was immediately stopped, and, with the exception of one, all the ewes which were visibly affected recovered. [This letter reads as follows : “In answer to your letter as regards sheep, I may say that I only lost one after you were here, and that was the one to which we gave the oil. I carried out your recommendation, shifting them about, and lam quite sure if I had not done so I would have lost more. They are lambing away yet and doing well.”!

On another farm in the district an owner of a flock of five hundred ewes lost fifteen ewes in three days. I visited this farm, and recommended shifting the ewes to fresh paddocks and giving them as much exercise as possible. The owner now informs me that the ewes have all lambed, and that on carrying out my recommendations he had no further mortality.

In the same district another owner was losing three or four ewes daily out of a flock of seven hundred sheep. On exercising the sheep twice daily the mortality immediately ceased.

Numerous other cases can be quoted, but I think the foregoing will be sufficient to show that by shifting the sheep about and giving them sufficient mild exercise (not chasing with dogs) the mortality can be almost immediately stopped. . -