Lamb Production

Wimmera ewe deaths mystery solved with AgVic co-operation

Sheep Central, June 14, 2017

RECENT ewe deaths on a Wimmera farm and similar cases in north-west Victoria have been diagnosed as a seasonal condition sometimes affecting heavily pregnant ewes.

Agriculture Victoria said the unexplained deaths of six ewes on the point of lambing, over a series of days raised alarm bells for the Wimmera producer.

The sheep, which were older but in good condition, were all found with intestinal prolapses.

AV district veterinary officer, Dr Amy Sluggett said the affected sheep suffered a spontaneous vaginal rupture, developing a tear in the vaginal wall and exposing parts of the intestine.

“We suspect it is a combination of the fact that it’s a good year, they are in good condition and they are carrying large lambs.

“So it is just putting a bit of extra pressure on everything and the vaginal wall goes.”

She said this was occurring in affected sheep at the point of lambing or in the week leading up to lambing with abundant feed on offer. All of the affected sheep were heavily pregnant ewes, mostly in condition score 4-plus. She suggested producers monitor ewes which might be at risk, tailor feed as much as possible and not overfeed ewes during pregnancy. Dr Sluggett said most prolapses reported involved only vaginal tissue.

The investigation of the ewe deaths has demonstrated the support Agriculture Victoria staff can give to sheep producers, Agriculture Victoria said.

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Dr Sluggett said a significant disease investigation was approved. This allowed the local private veterinary practice to submit samples to AgriBio in Melbourne at no charge.

This meant the producers received a discount from the veterinary practice, and the veterinary clinic received some funding.

“The producer subsidy is funded by the Victorian livestock industry and is available for investigations into cattle, sheep and goat diseases.

“At the time of the Wimmera report, similar reports were made in the north west of the state,” Dr Sluggett said.

“Collaboration between Agriculture Victoria vets, AgriBio pathologists and veterinarians Australia-wide has shown that this is not a new problem.

“It has been documented multiple times previously in NSW. “

Dr Sluggett said the swift action reassured producers that there was nothing more sinister happening in their flocks and showed that the condition was the result of a spontaneous rupture.

“It has been seen only in point of lamb ewes and it is thought that those on hilly land may be more prone to the problem.

“It seems to be an age-old problem that has occurred due to seasonal conditions, but some farmers may not have seen it before and are rightly concerned and want some advice,” she said.

If producers have any concerns about the health of their flocks they can phone Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 and speak with a Veterinary Officer or Animal Health Officer.

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  1. Luke Harrison, June 14, 2017

    Can someone shed some more light on ‘seasonal conditions’? What conditions do we need to be aware of that contribute to the ruptures? Editor’s note: Luke, I have updated the ewe death story with the following information:
    AV district veterinary officer, Dr Amy Sluggett said the affected sheep suffered a spontaneous vaginal rupture, developing a tear in the vaginal wall and exposing parts of the intestine.
    “We suspect it is a combination of the fact that it’s a good year, they are in good condition and they are carrying large lambs.
    “So it is just putting a bit of extra pressure on everything and the vaginal wall goes.”
    She said this was occurring in affected sheep at the point of lambing or in the week leading up to lambing with abundant feed on offer. All of the affected sheep were heavily pregnant ewes, mostly in condition score 4-plus. She suggested producers monitor ewes which might be at risk, tailor feed as much as possible and not overfeed ewes during pregnancy. Dr Sluggett said most prolapses reported involved only vaginal tissue.

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