On the Hoof - In the run up to lambing

Ewe Metabolic Profiles

Now is the time to arrange visits to check the energy and protein status of ewes lambing in March. 

• Bloods should be collected around 3 weeks before lambing is due to start.
• Sample 5 twin and 5 triplet bearing ewes in the first group to lamb. 
• Avoid ewes that may not be representative of the group e.g. very thin or lame.
• If the flock has not been scanned avoid sampling ewes that are more likely to be carrying singles e.g. ewe hoggs, gimmers. 
• Ewes should be sampled either before concentrate feeding or at least 4 hours after.

The cost of carrying out BOHB and Urea testing on bloods from 10 ewes is £47.70.

Pointers on Ovine Abortion Sampling

Just a few reminders if you are investigating ovine abortions this spring:

• Placenta, foetal fluids (x2) and foetal stomach contents are required to allow screening for EAE, toxoplasmosis and bacterial causes of abortion such as campylobacter, salmonella and listeria.
• Spleen can also be submitted and stored until routine testing is completed.
• Brain, placenta, liver, heart and lung can be stored in formalin but note that in cases of ovine abortion, histopathology doesn’t often provide a definitive diagnosis.
• Border disease testing is not included in the routine abortion package. We will only automatically schedule this if no diagnosis has been reached, and the history suggests that further testing is justified. If no/limited history is provided and Border Disease remains a differential, you will need to request it.
• If you are talking to clients before they submit foetuses and placentas to Dumfries, please ask them to place foetuses from different ewes in separate bags.
• Submitting foetuses from more than one ewe increases the diagnostic rate.
• Testing options on mummified foetuses are limited and they are always non-diagnostic.
• PCR testing for SBV is only justified if lambs have the typical presentation of arthrogryposis.
• Positive SBV ewe serology should not be used as a reason for not investigating abortions this spring.
• If samples/foetuses (including placentas) from several ewes have been submitted and the cause of an abortion storm remains unknown please get in touch to discuss possible next steps.

Read our useful sampling guide srucvs-sampling-guide.pdf

Posted by SRUC Veterinary Services on 18/02/2025