Hypocalcaemia in Sheep: Welfare and Emergency Treatment

Hypocalcaemia (milk fever equivalent in sheep) causes weakness and collapse in ewes. This guide covers recognition and emergency management.

Key Facts

Hypocalcaemia occurs when blood calcium drops below critical levels in late pregnancy or early lactation
Ewes carrying multiple lambs or producing high milk volumes are at greatest risk
Signs include muscle weakness, staggering, inability to rise, and lateral recumbency
Affected ewes may be mistaken for pregnancy toxaemia but response to calcium is diagnostic
Intravenous calcium borogluconate is the emergency treatment of choice
Prevention through calcium supplementation in high-risk ewes is important

Welfare Considerations and Management

Welfare-centred hypocalcaemia management requires immediate treatment. Intravenous calcium borogluconate given slowly provides rapid recovery in most cases. The response to treatment is often dramatic and is itself diagnostic. Subcutaneous or oral calcium supplements can be used for less severe cases or to prevent relapse. Prevention focuses on monitoring at-risk ewes (multiple lambs, high production) and supplementing calcium in the periparturient period.

What You Can Do

Treat affected ewes with intravenous calcium immediately — this is a welfare emergency
Give calcium solutions slowly to prevent cardiac arrhythmias
Monitor treated ewes for relapse in the following 12-24 hours
Supplement high-risk ewes with calcium in the periparturient period