Brianna Ciesielski November 22, 2013 Pregnancy Toxemia in Sheep Pregnancy in animals requires an alteration to the nutritional needs

of the animals. This is in response to the increase in production requirements due to the fetus. In sheep, the gestation period ranges from 142-152 days (Schoenian). However, the fetus is merely developing for the majority of the time. Only in the last 6-8 weeks of pregnancy is the fetus undergoing rapid growth (Griel). During this period, the ewe requires an increase in nutrients to sustain maintenance and production. While the fetus is growing, the ewe reduces its use of glucose, instead, converting a primarily lipid source for energy (Van Saun). This allows for more sensitive adipose tissues to maintain the lipid levels necessary for function (Van Saun). If the ewe develops a negative energy balance, the adipose tissue can cause an excess in lipolysis (Van Saun). The liver, in this state, becomes overwhelmed (Van Saun). The name for this disease process is pregnancy toxemia which is a hypoglycemia disease (Van Saun). The epidemiology and prevention of pregnancy toxemia are important to understand due to the difficulty in treating ewes once they have obtained the clinical symptoms of the disease. To understand how the disease affects the animal, predisposing factors to the disease have to be examined. There are two major predisposing factors to the disease: ewes with two or more fetuses and ewes who are obese (Van Saun). Ewes with two or more fetuses need approximately 75 percent more feed to maintain proper nutrition during the late stage of pregnancy (LeValley). If this is not met, the negative energy balance associated with the disease can be triggered. Another problem associated with multiple fetuses is the decreased room in the rumen due to the enlarged uterus (What). The fetuses do not allow for the same amount of feed

intake in the ewe. In ewes who are obese, the excess fat has been shown to depress appetite (Griel). Several other factors can predispose the animal to pregnancy toxemia, including stress, lack of exercise, and underfeeding (Griel). Stress decreases dry matter intake while lack of exercise precipitates the obesity of the animal (Griel). Stressors on the animal can include inclement weather and overcrowding (Van Saun). These factors can lead to the clinical presentation of the disease. If the ewe has developed the clinical disease, there are a host of symptoms that can be associated with the disease. The disease does not have a pathognomonic sign. A classic sign of the disease is a decrease in intake (LeValley). This leads to weight loss. In studies, anorexia in a pregnant ewe can be a sign of pregnancy toxemia (Van Saun). Seclusion from the group and depression can also be associated with the clinical disease (LeValley). Weakness and grinding of teeth are also problems associated with the disease (What). The ewe may have problems with vision (What). If the disease progresses, the ewe can become recumbent (LeValley). If the ewe becomes recumbent, she may not respond to treatment. The mortality rate, when clinical signs appear, can be 80 percent with death occurring between 2 to 10 days (LeValley). However, pregnancy toxemia has the potential to be treated. The treatment for pregnancy toxemia in sheep can vary depending on the response the ewe has. After taking blood samples and possibly doing a necropsy on a down ewe, the confirmation of the disease can lead to the treatment (Van Saun). If the signs of pregnancy toxemia are identified early enough, an intravenous drip of glucose may help to increase the glucose levels (What). However, recumbent ewes given the IV drip may recover but rapidly fall into the disease again. When the ewe is recumbent, there may be little that can be done to prevent death. An emergency cesarean section to remove drainage of nutrients to the fetus may help the

mother (What). However, the C-section may result in non-viable fetuses (What). If the fetus is more valuable, this would not be appropriate. Sheep born before five months are not likely to survive (What). While the treatment of the disease is not very effective, the prevention of the disease can greatly reduce the chance of the flock suffering from pregnancy toxemia. There are several ways to prevent pregnancy toxemia from affecting the pregnant ewes in a flock. Feeding an additional 1-2 pounds of grain in the last month of pregnancy is recommended for the ewes (What). In addition, a gradual increase to 1-2 pounds of high density foods will help when the gravid uterus displaces room in the rumen (What). The gradual nature of the addition is to decrease problems with the rumen fermentation (What). Keeping the sheep lean during early pregnancy and providing exercise throughout the pregnancy removes obesity as a possible factor for the disease (Griel). Another prevention method that should always be taken into account is reducing the environmental stressors to the animal (Griel). If they are relaxed, the ewe is likely to not develop the decreased dry matter intake associated with stress. With the appropriate feeds, the rations should be provided at a level appropriate for their production stage (Griel). Reducing the predisposing factors and feeding the appropriate feeds are prevention methods to reduce the risk of pregnancy toxemia. Pregnancy toxemia in sheep can be devastating. Once the clinical signs have appeared, it is hard to reverse the disease without potentially compromising the fetus or the mother. With proper prevention, the disease can be controlled in the population. Glucose is important for both the growing fetus and the mother. Keeping the diet appropriate for the mother at the different stages of pregnancy to minimize the chance of her developing a negative energy balance. Maintaining the health of the ewes in any stage of production is important ethically and financially.

References: Griel, Lester. Metabolic Disease: Pregnancy Toxemia Presentation. Pennsylvania State University. VBSC 303, University Park, PA. November 18, 2013. Lecture. LeValley, S. Pregnancy Toxemia (Ketosis) in Ewes and Does. Colorado State University. n.p, 2013. Web. November 21, 2013 Schoenian, Susan. Sheep 201: A Beginners Guide to Raising Sheep. 2011. Web. November 21, 2013. Van Saun, Robert J. Pregnancy Toxemia in a Flock of Sheep. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 217.10 (2007): 1536-1539. Web. November 21, 2013 What is pregnancy toxemia in goats and sheep? Can it be prevented? Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medical Hospital. Oklahoma State University, 2013. Web. November 21, 2013