Why sheep prolapse

It may be primary or caused by infectious or noninfectious agents. Signs include localized pain, depression The latter can lead to evisceration in the affected animal requiring humane euthanasia. In cattle and sheep, vaginal prolapse has a hereditary component and therefore is likely to recur in subsequent pregnancies.

Due to the likelihood of recurrence, females with vaginal prolapse should be culled from the herd or flock. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world.

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More Content. Was This Page Helpful? Yes No. Vulvitis and Vaginitis in Large Animals. Overview of Prolonged Gestation in Cattle and Sheep. Overview of Bovine Leukosis. If the prolapse is left too long and the tissue starts to die go dark red to black then the ewe will often get very weak and sick. Vaginal prolapses tend to occur in the last month before lambing occasionally they will occur after lambing. There is no single cause of vaginal prolapses, but there are a number of factors which increase the risk:.

The earlier a bearing is identified and treated the better the outcome. If the bearing is severely traumatized or black in colour, or the sheep is weak and sick it is better to shoot the sheep immediately, rather than prolong her suffering. Ewes will often continue to strain and might push the vagina back out again despite the retainer being used.

In this instance it is best to call the vet as we can give her an epidural to stop her straining and suture the vulva closed to prevent further prolapse and trauma to the vagina. We have three locations throughout Whangarei. For opening hours and information about the veterinarians, please select a clinic.

P 09 E admin northvets. When does it occur and why? Emptying of the bladder can then be readily achieved in the standing ewe by raising the prolapse relative to the vulva thereby reducing the fold in the neck of the bladder at which point urine is able to flow freely. Figure 5: The prolapse should be carefully cleaned in warm water containing disinfectant solution. The vaginal prolapse should be replaced with the ewe standing; in some cases the vaginal prolapse will return to the normal position within five minutes once the epidural has taken effect and the ewe has stopped straining.

If not, gentle pressure around the prolapse coupled with the use of obstetrical lubricant will help to invert the vagina again. There is no reason to suspend the ewe by the hind limbs to replace a vaginal prolapse. Figure 6: Administration of local anaesthetic to block straining by the ewe. An anti-inflammatory drug will be administered by the vet to reduce pain.

Antibiotics may be given if there is evidence of infection or severe tissue damage. Your vet will advise which drug is most suitable, and the correct route and course of administration. Methods of retention after replacement of vaginal prolapse include the Buhner suture, plastic retention devices and harnesses or trusses.

A modified Buhner suture of 5 mm nylon tape is placed in the tissue around the vulva 2 cm from the labia and tightened to allow an opening of 1. The modified Buhner suture can easily be untied to allow examination of the vulva and vagina for signs of first stage labour. This method of retention should only ever be used by a veterinary surgeon using the appropriate equipment and pain relief. Figure 7: Pain-free insertion of a Buhner suture using epidural anaesthesia.

Figure 8: Buhner suture is tightened to allow an opening of 1. Ewes should also be monitored for the signs of the first stage of labour in case estimated lambing dates prove inaccurate. These include:. If the cervix has already fully dilated, and first stage labour completed before the ewe is noticed, a lamb may be forcefully expelled as soon as the retention suture has been slackened. Fig 9: The Buhner suture must be released before the expected lambing date.

Note the foetal membranes indicating first stage labour in this ewe. Sutures which penetrate into the vagina, must be avoided as urine scalding around the suture material and secondary bacterial infection lead to discomfort and straining, making re-prolapse much more likely.

All ewes with retention sutures for vaginal prolapse must be clearly identified and staff notified that there could be problems at lambing with these sheep. Permanent ewe identification is essential to ensure culling before the next breeding season. Plastic retention devices are shaped such that the central loop is placed within the vagina which is then held within the pelvic canal by the two side arms tightly tied to the fleece of the flanks.

These devices can work well in mild early cases, but in more severe cases where the ewe is straining and prolapsing despite the presence of the device veterinary advice should be sought. Figure The plastic retention device is not working in this case - effective pain relief is essential in such cases; veterinary advice must be sought.