Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Pregnancy Toxaemia Prevention

Pregnancy toxaemia (twin lamb disease) is a severe metabolic crisis in ewes carrying multiple fetuses that is almost entirely preventable with proper management.

Key Facts

Pregnancy toxaemia occurs when ewes in late pregnancy cannot consume enough energy for multiple fetuses
Ewes carrying twins and triplets are at highest risk, particularly thin animals
Early signs include separation from the flock, teeth grinding, and reduced movement
Intravenous glucose and propylene glycol are emergency treatments but outcomes are poor
Prevention through body condition scoring and targeted flushing of thin ewes is highly effective

Welfare Considerations

Pregnancy toxaemia causes extreme suffering - affected ewes experience ketoacidosis, neurological signs, and often die despite treatment. This is a welfare failure that is almost entirely preventable with the nutritional management tools available to every shepherd.

What You Can Do

Support sheep farms using body condition scoring and targeted nutrition in pregnancy
Advocate for nutritional welfare standards in sheep certification schemes
Choose wool and lamb from farms demonstrating low metabolic disease rates