What to Do About Postpartum Paralysis in Ewes? Detailed Explanation of Causes and Prevention and Treatment Methods
Ewes may experience paralysis after giving birth. This condition is also called milk fever, and it is a metabolic disease that occurs suddenly in ewes after lambing. It mostly affects sheep with high milk production and good nutrition, and it seriously affects the growth of the sheep. So what causes paralysis in ewes? How should it be prevented and treated? Let's take a look.
1. Causes
Ewes have a great demand for nutrition during pregnancy, and the gestation period of sheep is generally in winter. Many breeders like to feed some roughage such as straw and feed less concentrate. The ewe will lose condition and become thin due to insufficient nutrition. In addition, the temperature in winter is relatively low and the duration of sunlight is short, so the ewe does not get sufficient sunlight. This can easily lead to vitamin deficiency and an imbalance in the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, causing osteoporosis and bone softening, which can lead to paralysis. In addition, the ewe begins lactation after giving birth, and colostrum contains a large amount of calcium. If calcium is not supplemented in time, the blood calcium level of the ewe will become lower and lower, leading to the occurrence of this disease.
2. Symptoms
At the beginning, the ewe is listless, has a reduced or stopped appetite, and shows abnormal head and neck posture. It often cannot stand steadily. As the condition worsens, the ewe's limbs become weak and it lies on the ground. Sometimes it lies down and sleeps in a stupor, loses consciousness, and may also have convulsions in the limbs. Body temperature is generally normal, but there may also be a slight fever. This disease generally occurs within 1-3 days after the ewe gives birth. In acute cases, it may occur within 12 hours of onset, and some affected ewes may die without any symptoms.
3. Prevention Methods
Strengthen feeding management and pay attention to nutrient supplementation, especially the supply of calcium. During the ewe's pregnancy, adding 2%-3% bone meal to the diet can prevent the occurrence of this disease. For high-yielding ewes, feed calcium tablets during and after lambing to maintain calcium levels, 10-20 tablets per day. They can be ground and mixed into the feed, and the effect is very good. For ewes that are well developed but have had paralysis in the past, maintain the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in the feed and keep it balanced. About half a month before lambing, reduce the supply of calcium and high-protein feed, and ensure a certain amount of exercise. Increase the duration of sunlight exposure, and after delivery feed warm salt water.
4. Treatment Methods
Treatment mainly aims to increase the ewe's blood calcium level and reduce the loss of calcium. Intravenous injection of 100 milliliters of 30% calcium gluconate solution can be used, or divided intramuscular injections of 50 milliliters of 20% calcium gluconate solution can be given. Treatment can also be carried out by the udder insufflation method, using professional tools to pump air into the udder so that the mammary gland is compressed and lactation is reduced or stopped, thereby reducing the loss of blood calcium in the ewe. At the same time, supplement calcium in time, and also pay attention to supplementing sugar. If the heart is weak, a cardiotonic injection should be given. Traditional Chinese medicine therapy can also be used: take 30 grams each of dang shen, bai zhu, da zao, yi mu cao, huang qi, gan cao, and dang gui, 20 grams each of bai shao and chen pi, and 10 grams each of sheng ma and chai hu, add water and decoct, remove the medicinal liquid, and after it cools add white liquor and administer by drenching. Two times can cure it.
The above are the causes and prevention and treatment methods of postpartum paralysis in ewes. I hope it can help you. If you want to learn more about sheep raising knowledge, please follow us.