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WINTER 2016/17 ISSUE
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
10
SHEEP PROLAPSE
Treatment options
Vaginal prolapses should be replaced quickly
to prevent further trauma and tears in the
vagina. Also, if the prolapse remains out for a
prolonged period of time the blood flow to the
tissue can be reduced causing tissue death; the
prolapse turns purple/black in colour and
becomes dry, fragile and easy to damage.
Ideally, a ewe should be taken to a veterinary
surgeon for treatment as they can administer
an epidural (local anaesthetic injected into the
spinal canal) which numbs the area around the
vulva and reduces the ewe pushing, which
eases replacement of the prolapse. But you
may wish to replace the prolapse yourself
following these steps:
1.Clean It:
Wash the prolapse with plenty of clean,
warm water containing a suitable antiseptic
or disinfectant. Ensure contamination such as
muck and straw are removed.
2.Check It:
A thorough inspection of the prolapse should
be made to check for any tears or signs that
the ewe is trying to lamb: water-bags or
legs/tail may be felt passing through the
cervix. In either case, seek veterinary advice.
If intestines are visible through a tear,
euthanasia is advisable.
3.Lubricate It:
Cover with lubricating gel.
4.Replace It:
Always handle the prolapse carefully to avoid
damage, try using either the flat of your hand
or a fist. With many prolapses the urinary blad-
der has actually flipped up inside the prolapse,
blocking the neck of the bladder, if you gently
lift the prolapse up, towards the tail, this often
allows the ewe to pass urine and the prolapse
will reduce in size. Then using gentle pressure
you can push the prolapse back into the ewe.
Often a ewe will continue to strain during
replacement, but avoid pushing harder against
her, instead just use enough pressure to stop the
prolapse coming back out when she strains,
then when she stops continue to replace it.
5.Keep It In:
Once you have successfully replaced the
prolapse, there are three ways to keep it in
the ewe:
•
Harness (shown in Figure two below)
These are designed to apply pressure around
the vulva and prevent the prolapse recurring.
These should be fitted correctly and checked
regularly to ensure they do not cause sores.
Harnesses should be loosened or removed
around lambing to allow the lambs to pass.
•
Spoon/T-Piece/Retainer (shown in Figure
three below)
This is a T-shaped device that is inserted into
the vagina and then secured to the ewe using
string. Always ensure that the device is
cleansed and disinfected prior to insertion. In
most cases the ewe will be able to lamb past
the spoon, but ideally it should be removed
when lambing occurs.
•
Buhner Sutures (Under local anaesthetic
only)
This is where sutures are placed into the vulval
skin and pulled tight, so that only 2 fingers can
pass through. If these sutures are used they must
be loosened at lambing otherwise the lambs
may not pass, or the ewe will tear the sutures
out causing severe damage to the area. See
Figure four below.
6. Inject her:
Affected ewes should be given a broad-
spectrum antibiotic and a painkiller to help
reduce infection.
7. Mark her:
Vaginal prolapses are highly repeatable, so
these ewes should be marked permanently
(marker spray or ear mark/tag) and removed
from the breeding flock.
Figure two. Harnesses should be fitted correctly
and checked regularly.
Figure three. A T-piece retainer
Figure four. A sutured ewe prolapse
Prevention
There are several reasons why ewes may prolapse prior to lambing; these are outlined in the table below with suggestions
for control.
Cause
Control
High body condition score
Appropriate nutrition
Carrying multiple lambs (twins/triplets etc)
Scan ewes/appropriate nutrition
Bulky diet
Avoid a high root crop diet in late pregnancy
Lameness (increases lying down time)
5 Point lameness control plan
Lack of exercise
Effective housing
Low blood calcium
Appropriate nutrition
Your vet will be happy to discuss any aspect of vaginal prolapses with you.