Pregnancy toxemia is a metabolic crisis in late-pregnant ewes that causes severe suffering and high mortality without prompt recognition and treatment.
Pregnancy toxemia causes severe and progressive suffering in affected ewes. The metabolic crisis creates neurological symptoms including blindness and disorientation that cause distress. Tooth grinding indicates significant pain. Without treatment, death occurs over 3-7 days. The preventable nature of most cases makes occurrence represent a management failure with direct welfare consequences. Regular body condition assessment during pregnancy, appropriate nutrition for fetal load, and early recognition of early signs can prevent the vast majority of cases. Farmer training in recognition and treatment is a key welfare intervention with high impact for sheep-keeping communities.