Getting on top of prolapse-related issues

While weather has changed sharply since the weekend, the favourable conditions in recent months has left ewes in improved body condition on many farms.

Last week’s sheep management notes touched on one downside of this, with farmers reporting a higher incidence of prolapse.

This has been confirmed by follow-on questions received from readers, with some flocks experiencing a much higher prevalence than the level of 1%, which is cited as being the standard within a flock.

Most cases are occurring in the final two to three weeks of gestation, which is to be expected with space reducing even quicker in ewes in excessive condition (BCS 4+). At that stage, there is not much that can be done to rectify body condition and, as such, management must centre on other areas.

It is also worth noting that the incidence of prolapse can also be influenced by numerous other factors other than body condition, with a higher incidence normally seen in high-prolificacy flocks.

Lameness in a flock can also trigger more cases, with ewes lying down for long periods which puts increased pressure on vaginal muscles.

The same can be said of ewes grazing on steep inclines, with ewes tending to lie in an uphill position, meaning there is greater pressure on muscles.

Feeding management

A big factor which can also play a role in overcoming an increase in cases related to body condition is the type of diet offered and feed management.

Feeding a high-fibre diet or poor-quality forage will reduce the rate of digestion and can be linked to a higher incidence.

Ensuring that high-energy ingredients are used in concentrate formulation and high-fibre feeds are fed in a restricted manner can also help, but be careful where adopting the latter to ensure that feed space is sufficient to allow all animals to eat with ease.

Significant changes in feeding routine should be avoided. For example, if feeding is delayed and ewes are hungry, they can gorge themselves on food when offered, which will increase competition for abdominal space.

While not always possible due to labour constraints, some flocks dealing with a high incidence in multiple births find that splitting concentrate supplementation from twice to three times daily in the final stages of gestation will help.

Another solution which works for some flocks is letting triplet- and quad-bearing ewes to grass. Grass will move through the animal quicker, cutting down on the need for supplementary feeding, while many vets point to exercise also helping in late pregnancy.

Treatment

The preferred treatment route for vaginal prolapse depends on the severity of the prolapse.

For mild cases, applying a harness or using a rope to apply support similar to a harness will generally suffice. Where there is significant expulsion, then suturing will generally be required.

Administering an anti-inflammatory or pain killer may also be required to ease straining and forcing.

In serious cases, it is generally also advisable to administer either a long-acting antibiotic or a three- to five-day treatment programme to prevent secondary bacterial infection.

The risk of secondary infection will be heavily dependent on hygiene in the surrounding environment and the level of care taken when re-inserting prolapsed material.

The prolapsed material should be cleaned and, where required, washed with warm water before reinserting, while gloves should always be worn.

Uterine prolapse

Vaginal prolapse is the most common type of prolapse, but uterine prolapse is also possible.

This can sometimes occur more so post-lambing and is generally triggered by a difficult lambing.

Suturing will be the only option in the case of a uterine prolapse, with a call on treatment or euthanasia based on the expulsion of material additional to the uterus.

Veterinary treatment, where an anaesthetic can also be administered or a call on euthanasia can be made, is recommended.

Ewes that have experienced prolapse issues will need much closer attention at lambing, as harnesses will need to be removed to allow lambing to take place, while sutures or stiches may also need to be released depending on how they have been applied and the severity of the prolapse.

Ewes that have experienced significant problems will also be much more likely to require assistance, with some often aborting lambs. These should be supervised closely once lambing commences.

Ewes also tend to go off their feed easier and should receive preferential treatment to ensure nutritional intake is not compromised.

For most ewes, the removal of pressure from lambs being born will prevent post-lambing issues. Research shows that ewes that experience minor prolapse issues this year will not automatically experience a repeat of problems in the following season.

However, in some cases there is a carryover of problems into lactation and, in such cases, most farmers identify ewes for culling.

Ewes that have prolapsed should at least be temporarily identified post-lambing so that their health status can be easily followed up on, with suturing required in worst cases.