Livestock

Metabolic Disease Welfare in Sheep: Prevention First

Metabolic diseases including hypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia, and pregnancy toxaemia cause significant suffering in sheep and are largely preventable with good nutrition management.

Key Facts

Hypocalcaemia causes weakness, inability to rise, and death if untreated
Hypomagnesaemia causes nervous signs including tetany and death within hours
Pregnancy toxaemia is most common in ewes carrying multiple foetuses
All three conditions are closely related to nutritional management
Prevention through appropriate mineral supplementation is cost-effective

Welfare Considerations

Metabolic diseases cause acute and severe suffering. A ewe in hypomagnesaemic tetany experiences convulsions before death. These conditions are largely preventable with appropriate nutritional management including strategic mineral supplementation. Investment in prevention is both welfare-positive and economically sound.

What You Can Do

Work with a vet or nutritionist on mineral supplementation programmes
Provide magnesium supplementation in high-risk periods
Monitor body condition score throughout the production cycle
Ensure adequate calcium nutrition in the periparturient period
Have emergency treatment supplies available during lambing season