A review of dystocia in sheep

Jacobson, Caroline; Bruce, Mieghan; Kenyon, P. R.; Lockwood, Amy; Miller, David; Refshauge, Gordon; Masters, David G.

doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2020.106209

Cited by 51 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 133 publications

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“…This was consistent with studies reported for multiparous ewes in Australia [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 68 ], and primiparous ewes in New Zealand [ 9 , 10 ]. Strategies to reduce dystocia and starvation–mismosthering–exposure, including provision of adequate shelter for lambing ewes and managing ewe nutrition during pregnancy to optimise lamb birthweights may help optimise survival for progeny of primiparous ewes [ 4 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Approximately 10% of single-born lambs and 30% of twin-born lambs die prior to weaning under extensive grazing conditions across Australia, with most losses occurring in the first 48 h of life [ 1 – 3 ]. The starvation–mismosthering–exposure complex, stillbirths, and dystocia are the most common causes of lamb mortality during the perinatal period [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]. Lower lamb survival has been reported for primiparous ewes compared to adult flocks in Australia [ 5 – 7 ] and overseas [ 6 , 8 – 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Chlamydia pecorum detection in aborted and stillborn lambs from Western Australia

Clune

Besier

Hair

et al. 2021

Vet Res

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Lamb survival is an important welfare and productivity issue for sheep industries worldwide. Lower lamb survival has been reported for primiparous ewes, but the causes of this are not well studied. The aim of this study was to determine causes of perinatal deaths for lambs born to primiparous ewes in Western Australia, and identify if infectious diseases are implicated. Lamb mortality from birth to marking were determined for 11 primiparous ewe flocks on 10 farms in Western Australia. Lamb mortality from birth to marking averaged 14% for single-born and 26% for multiple-born lambs. Lamb necropsies (n = 298) identified starvation–mismosthering–exposure (34%), dystocia (24%) and stillbirth (15%) as the most common causes of perinatal lamb death. There was no evidence of exotic abortigenic pathogens in aborted and stillborn lambs (n = 35). Chlamydia pecorum was detected by qPCR in 15/35 aborted and stillborn lambs on 5/6 farms. Preliminary molecular characterisation of C. pecorum detected in samples from aborted and stillborn lambs (n = 8) using both Multilocus Sequence Typing and ompA genotyping indicated all strains were genetically identical to previously described pathogenic livestock strains, denoted ST23, and dissimilar to gastrointestinal strains. High frequency of detection of a pathogenic C. pecorum strains ST23 associated with ovine abortion and stillbirth on multiple farms located across a wide geographic area has not been previously reported. Chlamydia pecorum may contribute to reproductive wastage for primiparous sheep in Western Australia. Further investigation to understand C. pecorum epidemiology and impact on sheep reproduction is warranted.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chlamydia pecorum detection in aborted and stillborn lambs from Western Australia

Clune

Besier

Hair

et al. 2021

Vet Res

Self Cite

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“…Producers estimated similar levels of dystocia among breeds (20% Merino, 19% meat, 21% crossbred ewes), and similar to previous reports by Luff [30] of 17.7% mortality. However, another report of nearly 5000 lambs noted 47% mortality due to dystocia [3] and a review of dystocia identified up to 67% of lamb mortalities are associated with dystocia [31] Merinos are known to have lower incidences of dystocia at 4.1% [32] compared to Dorset's at 34% [33], selection of breed of ewe and ram offering an opportunity to reduce the incidence of dystocia [31]. Starvation-mismothering-exposure deaths were estimated by producers as similar between ewe breeds (merinos 49%, crossbred 45% and meat 40%).…”

Section: Causes Of Lamb Mortalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

A Survey of New South Wales Sheep Producer Practices and Perceptions on Lamb Mortality and Ewe Supplementation

Kopp

Hernández‐Jover

Robertson

et al. 2020

Animals

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High lamb mortality rates reduce profitability and reduce the perceived animal welfare standards of the industry. This study aimed to understand producer knowledge of lamb mortality rates and causes of lamb mortality, and to investigate various practices and perceptions of producers that may contribute to lamb deaths. Postal and online surveys gathered data on Australian sheep producer’s knowledge and practices around lambing and management practices. Based on results, approximately 50% of producers estimated less than 10% mortality of lambs between birth and marking, compared to published data estimates of 20–25% mortality. Pre-lambing vaccination of ewes was not undertaken by 10–20% of producers. Ninety-six percent of producers vaccinated lambs; however, 17% of Merino and 23% of crossbred lamb producers only gave a single vaccination instead of the recommended initial vaccine and booster. The lower estimated mortality impacts producer’s perceived benefits of management strategies being undertaken. Research undertaken needs to be more effectively distributed to producers via extension services to ensure producers understand the causes of mortality. Important messages to convey to producers include the limited impact of predation in most cases and the total costs of lamb mortality on-farm.

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“…Throughout their production lives, animals may experience pain associated with common management practices and/or infectious diseases, such as mastitis and foot rot [ 2 ]. Dystocia, or a difficult birth characterized by prolonged delivery, with or without human assistance, is a common source of pain in ewes and a leading cause of perinatal lamb mortality [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Elective husbandry procedures, including surgical castration, tail docking and mulesing, along with shearing wounds are further sources of pain associated with sheep and lamb production [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analgesic Comparison of Flunixin Meglumine or Meloxicam for Soft-Tissue Surgery in Sheep: A Pilot Study

Viscardi

Reppert

Kleinhenz

et al. 2021

Animals

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The amount of scientific data evaluating sheep pain responses after analgesia treatment is limited. The aims of this study were to compare the efficacy of flunixin meglumine (FLU) and meloxicam (MEL) at relieving post-surgical pain in sheep and to evaluate the utility of the Sheep Grimace Scale (SGS). Thirty ewes were assigned to one of three treatment groups: oral MEL or intravenous FLU to manage pain associated with a laparotomy procedure, or a non-surgical control (CON) group. Behavior and physiologic outcome measures were collected pre-procedure and up to 48 h post-procedure. There were no significant differences in behavior, gait, degree of inflammation or pain around the surgical site when MEL and FLU sheep were compared, suggesting that both drugs provided similar levels of analgesia. Significant differences in behavior, gait, abdominal inflammation and pain were found when surgical sheep were compared to non-surgical controls. More work is needed to characterize the amount of pain relief provided by MEL and FLU. The SGS had moderate reliability between scorers; however, the results were inconsistent with the other study outcome measures. The SGS may have some utility as a pain assessment tool but should be used in conjunction with other pain measures.

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A review of dystocia in sheep

Cited by 51 publications

References 133 publications

Chlamydia pecorum detection in aborted and stillborn lambs from Western Australia

Chlamydia pecorum detection in aborted and stillborn lambs from Western Australia

A Survey of New South Wales Sheep Producer Practices and Perceptions on Lamb Mortality and Ewe Supplementation

Analgesic Comparison of Flunixin Meglumine or Meloxicam for Soft-Tissue Surgery in Sheep: A Pilot Study

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