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WORKING
ToGEThER
FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE...
9
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
SHEEP PROLAPSE
Veterinary surgeon
Victoria Fisher
XLVets practice
Farm First Veterinary
Services
Victoria Fisher BVMS MRCVS,
Farm First Veterinary Services
A pressing issue – vaginal
prolapses in sheep
Lambing time is fast approaching us, as are the problems associated
with the pre-lambing period, including vaginal prolapses. These are a
common condition of British sheep farms which occur when a ewe
pushes her vagina out of her vulva. A vaginal prolapse appears as a
smooth, red mass varying in size from a tennis ball to a melon. On
examination, the cervix can also be found as a small opening, as
illustrated in Figure one below.
Identifying early signs
Most ewes will prolapse in the last month of
pregnancy. Early signs of a ewe prolapsing
are similar to the signs of the early stages of
labour and include:
•
Isolation away from the flock
•
Stealing lambs
•
Nesting behaviour/pawing at bedding
•
Bleating
•
Abdominal pressing or straining
Figure one. A vaginal prolapse