Twin Lamb Disease: Pregnancy Toxemia Prevention in Ewes

Pregnancy toxemia (twin lamb disease) is a metabolic crisis in late-gestation ewes caused by energy deficit, causing severe suffering and high mortality without intervention.

Key Facts

Twin lamb disease occurs in the final 6 weeks of pregnancy when fetal energy demands peak
Ewes carrying triplets are at highest risk, followed by twins
Glucose precursor supplementation (propylene glycol, glycerol) is primary treatment
Blood or urine ketone measurement guides diagnosis and treatment intensity
Body condition score monitoring throughout pregnancy identifies at-risk ewes
Energy supplementment (cereal, molasses, beet pulp) from week 15 onwards prevents most cases
Caesarean section or induced parturition may be necessary in severe cases

Welfare Considerations

Affected ewes deteriorate rapidly - early signs (separation from flock, wool pulling, star-gazing) progress within 24-48 hours to recumbency, blindness, coma, and death. This is an acutely distressing condition. Prevention through proper body condition management and energy supplementation in late pregnancy is far more humane than treating established disease. Stockpersons checking ewes twice daily during late pregnancy dramatically reduces disease incidence and suffering.

What You Can Do

Score body condition of ewes at mating and throughout pregnancy
Provide increasing energy supplementation from week 15 onwards for twin-bearing ewes
Check ewes at least twice daily in late gestation for early behavioral signs
Keep glucose supplementation (propylene glycol) available and administer promptly to early cases
Call your vet immediately if a ewe becomes recumbent - prognosis worsens rapidly
Consider early induction or caesarean for severely affected ewes not responding to treatment
Plan lambing nutrition with your vet or nutritionist based on scanning results