Ewe coughing after walking.

[gerr]

I've got a pedigree Texel ewe, in condition score 3, that pants while standing and coughs when exerted. She had a jab of a strong antibiotic from the vet a 5 days ago but no real change. He couldn't hear anything on her chest. No throaty noise going on. Any ideas please?

 

[hubbahubba]

I was at a meeting about Jaagsiekte not that long ago. They were saying any ewes that cough and are slow when moved could have it. I thought it was a blackie thing but appartenly its in all the breeds....

 

[CollCrofter]

Pneumonia? That would be my first thought

 

[Plopper]

I've got a pedigree Texel ewe, in condition score 3, that pants while standing and coughs when exerted. She had a jab of a strong antibiotic from the vet a 5 days ago but no real change. He couldn't hear anything on her chest. No throaty noise going on. Any ideas please?

had a pure texal exactly as you describe a couple of weeks ago , she was like this for a week or so before it gradually got worse , could hardly breathe , panting profusely , big dose of pen strep for 3 days was vets advice which helped but didn't totally clear so gave 5 days followed by shot of alamycin and has made full recovery , for now anyway.

 

[primmiemoo]

If pneumonia, and not in lamb, I'd give metacam, as well.

Has she had an anthelmintic that kills lungworm at all? We've had a couple of lambs noted with lungworm on kill sheets, and I think adult sheep can be affected, too.

 

[gerr]

Vet has given Metacam again today with antibiotic. No vet has mentioned lung worm so I will ask them. Also have a bought in ram lamb with Texel throat. He has had antibiotics and steroids for 3 weeks. As soon as it wears off the heavy breathing returns. Getting a bit frustrated here now. Any advice here please too.

 

[CollCrofter]

My neighbour bought a new Texel tup in Stirling a few weeks ago and I brought him back to the island for him. He was fine in the pen but after I got him home he sounded like I made him run all the way. The tup has had metacam, alamycin etc and still hasn't come right

 

[debe]

OPA?

 

[neilo]

If pneumonia, and not in lamb, I'd give metacam, as well.

Has she had an anthelmintic that kills lungworm at all? We've had a couple of lambs noted with lungworm on kill sheets, and I think adult sheep can be affected, too.

In-lamb sheep are perfectly fine with Metacam as it’s a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. Steroids would be a no-no for in-lamb ewes though.

 

[neilo]

Vet has given Metacam again today with antibiotic. No vet has mentioned lung worm so I will ask them. Also have a bought in ram lamb with Texel throat. He has had antibiotics and steroids for 3 weeks. As soon as it wears off the heavy breathing returns. Getting a bit frustrated here now. Any advice here please too.

Cull him! It’s an inherited fault, so get him as good as you can, out of withdrawal, and hung up before he does any more damage.

Too many Texel & Beltex breeders pump them full of steroids & abs in order to get them to sale, or tupping, which just perpetuates a problem that could be bred out.