Ram spilling cud

[twizzel]

Just noticed my 2 year old ram has been spilling his cud, his bottom lip is green and has stains down his front legs. I bought him last year and not noticed an issue until now. Been out all winter on grass and in looking very well for it, he’s grown a hell of a lot since he finished tupping.

Could it be cutting teeth or is it normally something more sinister (hoping not the latter… he cost a fair bit typically and I’d like to use him at least this year!) I will have a word with the vet this week, just not had any issues with this before.

 

[sticky]

I’ve got a ewe that lives with my daughters retired pony to keep it company. The reason it stayed here was becabuse it spat it’s cud terribly and I couldn’t sell it on for breeding with its mates. Anyway it stopped doing it after a while and it’s now 5yr old at least.

 

[AT Aloss]

I had a ram that was a cud spitter and it died young

 

[twizzel]

I had a ram that was a cud spitter and it died young

Was it a cud spiller from day 1 though or did it develop over time? Mine is 2 years old, I was only thinking the other day how good he looked

 

[copse]

Just noticed my 2 year old ram has been spilling his cud, his bottom lip is green and has stains down his front legs. I bought him last year and not noticed an issue until now. Been out all winter on grass and in looking very well for it, he’s grown a hell of a lot since he finished tupping.

Could it be cutting teeth or is it normally something more sinister (hoping not the latter… he cost a fair bit typically and I’d like to use him at least this year!) I will have a word with the vet this week, just not had any issues with this before.

I should get it loaded up and to market before it goes downhill and dies.

 

[ritchiekirkland]

Lack of salt ?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

I had a ram that was a cud spitter and it died young

That’s cheered him up no end

 

[firther]

had a ewe do it an it never bovvered her so i never looked in to it, just thought she were a greedy twit

 

[ollie989898]

Look in mouth- could be tooth related?

 

[ladycrofter]

We occasionally have one and can never identify any reason for it. Had the odd lamb do it from the word go. Seems to stop over time. Just another sheep mystery.
I'd keep him unless his lambs all do it too.

 

[Longlowdog]

A friend of mine is an equine dentist and she told me cud dropping or quidding as it is called in horses is teeth related.
If your tup is cutting new teeth the issue may resolve itself in time. if the teeth are moving past or inside the pad it may be permanent.
If equine dentists or trained practicioners were allowed to work on sheep I have been told that many older sheep could be given a new lease of life by having their teeth ground level or shortened to make them engage the pad again. I believe this was trialed in Australia but I never found out if there were any worthwhile outcomes.

 

[andybk]

A friend of mine is an equine dentist and she told me cud dropping or quidding as it is called in horses is teeth related.
If your tup is cutting new teeth the issue may resolve itself in time. if the teeth are moving past or inside the pad it may be permanent.
If equine dentists or trained practicioners were allowed to work on sheep I have been told that many older sheep could be given a new lease of life by having their teeth ground level or shortened to make them engage the pad again. I believe this was trialed in Australia but I never found out if there were any worthwhile outcomes.

they used to fit sheep with false teeth back when i was younger , expect @neilo can remember , did work to some degree , but to expensive

 

[neilo]

they used to fit sheep with false teeth back when i was younger , expect @neilo can remember , did work to some degree , but to expensive

Iirc it was even on Tomorrow's World.

 

[Macsky]

Has he been fighting? I’ve got a shearling that loves a scrap but he must have gone in a bit hard last year and did himself some nerve damage, right side of his face lost all tone and he was throwing his cud, right ear was hanging too, but he’s slowly come right and you wouldn’t notice now.

 

[Tim W]

they used to fit sheep with false teeth back when i was younger , expect @neilo can remember , did work to some degree , but to expensive

I can't remember that ---which is great as it means I'm a youngster compared to you and @neilo
Or my memory is buggered?

 

[unlacedgecko]

they used to fit sheep with false teeth back when i was younger , expect @neilo can remember , did work to some degree , but to expensive

Lesley Stubbings mentioned it during her presentation at sheep breeders round table a few years ago.

It was in the days of the ewe premium. False molars were fitted. Sounds horrendously expensive and painful.

 

[Macsky]

Lesley Stubbings mentioned it during her presentation at sheep breeders round table a few years ago.

It was in the days of the ewe premium. False molars were fitted. Sounds horrendously expensive and painful.

I’ve read a paper on it online somewhere but can’t find it now, they used to fix the front teeth together as well to keep them all in longer

 

[twizzel]

Thanks everyone. I spoke to the vet today, they said try and have a look at his teeth, so will attempt that over Easter. He is fighting with the other ram, they were pushing each other around the other evening, so whether he’s knocked a tooth or something, I’m not sure. I think I’ll explore all options before loading him up though 🫣

 

[Macsky]

Thanks everyone. I spoke to the vet today, they said try and have a look at his teeth, so will attempt that over Easter. He is fighting with the other ram, they were pushing each other around the other evening, so whether he’s knocked a tooth or something, I’m not sure. I think I’ll explore all options before loading him up though 🫣

Try not to get bitten, no joke, they bite HARD

 

[andybk]

I’ve read a paper on it online somewhere but can’t find it now, they used to fix the front teeth together as well to keep them all in longer

it wasnt the molars iirc , it was like a epoxy resin cover for front teeth (like when they loose a front tooth or so as the gap stopped proper nutrition ) so glued all the front ones together to give them a few extra years , better done with genetics really or pull the lot out ,