Sheep Pregnancy Toxemia: Prevention Through Nutrition

Pregnancy toxemia is a painful metabolic disease in late-pregnant sheep carrying multiple lambs. Targeted nutrition guided by ultrasound scanning prevents most cases.

Key Facts

Pregnancy toxemia kills up to 5% of twin and triplet bearing ewes in some flocks
The disease occurs when energy demands of fetal growth exceed the ewe's nutritional intake
Recumbent ewes who cannot rise have a poor prognosis even with treatment
Early cases can be treated with oral propylene glycol, glucose drench, and supportive care
Scanning-guided feeding groups are the most effective prevention strategy

Welfare Considerations

Pregnancy toxemia is one of the most preventable welfare disasters in sheep farming, yet it recurs in flocks year after year due to inadequate late-pregnancy nutrition. An affected ewe progresses from dullness and separation from the flock through inability to stand to recumbency and death over 3 to 5 days - a prolonged and distressing process. The metabolic crisis is entirely predictable: twin and triplet fetuses in the last 6 weeks double their growth rate, dramatically increasing energy demand. Scanning-guided nutrition ensures ewes receive what their fetal load requires.

What You Can Do

Ultrasound scan all ewes 90 to 100 days after tupping and create feeding groups by fetal number
Increase concentrate feeding for twin and triplet bearing ewes in the last 6 weeks of pregnancy
Monitor body condition score at scanning and adjust to target score 3 to 3.5
Act immediately on any ewe that separates from the flock or shows dullness in late pregnancy
Work with your vet to develop a treatment protocol for early cases detected during daily checks