Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Pregnancy Toxaemia and Ewe Welfare

Pregnancy toxaemia is a metabolic condition affecting twin-bearing ewes in late pregnancy, causing significant suffering and preventable with good management.

Key Facts

Pregnancy toxaemia arises from energy deficit in late gestation ewes
Twin and triplet bearing ewes are at highest risk due to foetal energy demand
Early signs include lethargy, separation from flock and teeth grinding
Untreated cases progress to recumbency, blindness and death
Prevention requires adequate nutrition scoring and supplementary feeding

Welfare Considerations

Pregnancy toxaemia is largely preventable through body condition scoring, appropriate nutritional management and monitoring of late-gestation ewes. Affected ewes suffer considerable pain and distress. Good flock management is the most effective welfare intervention.

What You Can Do

Support farms that use body condition scoring programmes in ewes
Encourage veterinary training in small ruminant metabolic diseases
Choose certified sheep products that include welfare management standards