Hypocalcaemia (Milk Fever) in Sheep: Deep Welfare Guide

Hypocalcaemia in sheep causes muscle weakness, recumbency, and potentially death — a largely preventable welfare emergency in periparturient ewes.

Key Facts

• Hypocalcaemia occurs when blood calcium falls below critical levels around lambing
• Signs progress from staggering and trembling to recumbency and death if untreated
• High-yielding ewes carrying multiple lambs are at greatest risk
• Calcium supplementation (calcium borogluconate IV or SC) is the standard treatment
• Prevention through diet management in late pregnancy is highly effective

Welfare Considerations

Hypocalcaemia represents a welfare emergency that causes rapid deterioration from weakness to complete collapse and death within hours if untreated. The suffering associated with recumbency — inability to rise, muscle tremors, and circulatory collapse — is significant and preventable. Ewes at highest risk are heavy milkers carrying triplets or quadruplets, and those fed calcium-deficient rations in late pregnancy. Welfare-focused prevention includes dietary calcium assessment and supplementation in the final month of pregnancy, combined with prompt recognition and treatment of early signs. Farm staff training in recognizing early hypocalcaemia and administering calcium supplements is essential.

What You Can Do

• Assess dietary calcium provision in late pregnancy and supplement if deficient
• Train farm staff to recognize early signs: staggering, reduced rumination, muscle tremors
• Maintain veterinary-prescribed calcium borogluconate for on-farm emergency treatment
• Monitor ewes carrying multiple lambs especially closely in the last weeks of pregnancy
• Record all hypocalcaemia cases to identify patterns and improve prevention protocols