Twin Lamb Disease (Pregnancy Toxemia) in Sheep: Deep Welfare Guide

Pregnancy toxemia is a metabolic emergency in late-pregnant ewes carrying multiple lambs, causing progressive neurological deterioration and high mortality.

Key Facts

• Pregnancy toxemia results from insufficient energy supply to meet the demands of multiple fetuses
• Early signs include separation from the flock, star gazing, and reduced rumination
• Without treatment, ewes become recumbent within days and die from ketoacidosis
• Glucose precursor supplementation (propylene glycol, glycerine) is the primary treatment
• Prevention through adequate nutrition assessment and supplementation from day 100 of pregnancy is highly effective

Welfare Considerations

Twin lamb disease causes progressive, debilitating suffering — the energy deficit leads to hepatic lipidosis, ketosis, and neurological signs that prevent the ewe from maintaining normal behavior. Affected ewes lose awareness, develop star-gazing posture, become unable to find food and water, and rapidly deteriorate into recumbency. The condition is painful and distressing, and without intervention, death typically occurs within 3-5 days of clinical signs. Welfare-optimized management requires immediate recognition of early signs, emergency glucose precursor treatment (multiple daily doses of propylene glycol), isolation with easy access to high-energy feed and water, and veterinary assessment for caesarean section if the condition is advanced or the fetuses are compromised.

What You Can Do

• Assess ewe body condition at day 100 of pregnancy and supplement thin ewes carrying multiples
• Use pregnancy scanning to identify ewes carrying triplets and quadruplets for targeted supplementation
• Train farm staff to recognize early signs: depression, stargazing, separation from flock
• Begin propylene glycol treatment immediately when signs are detected — delay is fatal
• Seek veterinary advice on caesarean section for advanced cases where both ewe and lambs are at risk