Pale eyelids in ewe

[GreenerGrass]

I’ve a ewe noticed yesterday droopy ears so today caught her and checked her temp and eye colour, temperature was 41 and first time I’ve ever seen one of my sheep with really pale eye membranes.

She’s 18 months old having lambed this spring. I guess obvious contender is haemonchus and or fluke, but no history of fluke on farm and this ewe on checking history was wormed with levamisole 3 weeks ago. What other contenders are there for causing this anemia, all other sheep seem well. Can do a fec tomorrow, and check in case resistant haemonchus but just wanted to know if anything else cause symptoms?

 

[Poorbuthappy]

I’ve a ewe noticed yesterday droopy ears so today caught her and checked her temp and eye colour, temperature was 41 and first time I’ve ever seen one of my sheep with really pale eye membranes.

She’s 18 months old having lambed this spring. I guess obvious contender is haemonchus and or fluke, but no history of fluke on farm and this ewe on checking history was wormed with levamisole 3 weeks ago. What other contenders are there for causing this anemia, all other sheep seem well. Can do a fec tomorrow, and check in case resistant haemonchus but just wanted to know if anything else cause symptoms?

If wormed 3 weeks ago, haemonchus still a possibility even without resistance.

 

[cheviot53]

The number of farmers who over the years have said never/ don't have liver fluke , then when death's , re absorbing foetus's and lean ewes occur it's too late , could also be Rumen Fluke , so asking the vet to look for eggs in the FEC is cheap

 

[GreenerGrass]

Sure, but I’ve tested each of the last 3 years and I have never had a positive for fluke. Mostly copra antigen but also bloods.

The ewe was dead this morning first thing when I checked, so will send her for PM. Around the anus there looked to be blood, both a bit dried but also red liquid looking up, and also on small hard dropping almost like a bloody coating. I’ll do a fec on it later today.

 

[hendrebc]

Does anyone have a decent picture of a fluke egg in a fec? I can't find one online. I might have but they all look different and the description is sometimes vague and confusing so might not be a fluke egg

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Does anyone have a decent picture of a fluke egg in a fec? I can't find one online. I might have but they all look different and the description is sometimes vague and confusing so might not be a fluke egg

You realise it's a different test for fluke eggs and you won't see them on a McMaster slide with worm eggs?

 

[dogjon]

Does anyone have a decent picture of a fluke egg in a fec? I can't find one online. I might have but they all look different and the description is sometimes vague and confusing so might not be a fluke egg

I bought one of these years ago after taking a parasitology workshop. Dont remember paying that kind of money for it though. Think the college that put on the workshop may have got us a deal. The stain really makes a huge difference.
https://www.flukefinder.com/

 

[hendrebc]

You realise it's a different test for fluke eggs and you won't see them on a McMaster slide with worm eggs?

Yes but apparently you can see fluke eggs sometimes every now and again (but not reliably just odd ones) and I just want to know what it looks like. I think I saw one last week but I'm not sure

 

[hendrebc]

I bought one of these years ago after taking a parasitology workshop. Dont remember paying that kind of money for it though. Think the college that put on the workshop may have got us a deal. The stain really makes a huge difference.
https://www.flukefinder.com/

I might buy one of those will do some more research on it thanks

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Yes but apparently you can see fluke eggs sometimes every now and again (but not reliably just odd ones) and I just want to know what it looks like. I think I saw one last week but I'm not sure

My vet seemed to think it pretty rare to do so. But I understand your thinking.

 

[Chasingmytail]

PM back yet? Id say Barbers pole. We have no issues with fluke here either. There is a lot of resistance to levamisole which makes it difficult as we are organic.

 

[GreenerGrass]

PM back yet? Id say Barbers pole. We have no issues with fluke here either. There is a lot of resistance to levamisole which makes it difficult as we are organic.

Organic here too. Ewe has been collected, should get PM at the end of the day. Appreciate input. I just did an egg count on her last dung and it’s only 60 epg. It’s been so dry here. Not sure what else causes anemia, and the visible blood around back end and on droppings. but I think maybe something else. We are on heptavac but nearly thinking along those lines and the cover of vaccine running out. Will update, anyone else fancy a diagnosis feel free to comment in meantime.

 

[GreenerGrass]

So, preliminary PM results back, don't think we would have worked this one out. Ewe had a congenital hole in heart, with a ventral septal defect. She also got endocarditis/septicaemia and had a nutmeg liver which is a symptom of right sided heart failure. This progressed rapidly causing the symptoms observed including leaking blood and death.

 

[Poorbuthappy]

So, preliminary PM results back, don't think we would have worked this one out. Ewe had a congenital hole in heart, with a ventral septal defect. She also got endocarditis/septicaemia and had a nutmeg liver which is a symptom of right sided heart failure. This progressed rapidly causing the symptoms observed including leaking blood and death.

I nearly suggested cancer or some such thing - we obviously presume the common issues of fluke and worms but isolated cases like yours, and cancers, and a multitude of other things are always going to account for some of the deaths we get.

 

[GreenerGrass]

Thanks for reply - yes not far off. We don't lose many ewes, but when I do I try and do PM if not sure what has gone wrong, to see if I need to change something or to ID in future. Usually learn something, and I'm impressed at the report get back - this is Bristol Uni at Langford.