One dead, second sick please help!

[FlipFlopRanch]

I've already had one die from this and we can't figure out what the problem is. Any suggestions are helpful.

Sheep started losing appetite 2 days ago and completely stopped eating today. Has a fever of 104.4. Very listless but can still stand and walk. Walks around in circles. Has a tremor that comes and goes and will crane its head one way and then the other to the side. The sheep that died would throw her head backwards.

Given probiotics, vit b injection, cod liver oil, electrolytes.

Any ideas?

 

[Southern by choice]

My guess listeriosis.

If it is listeriosis get to the vet. The sheep will need high doses of antibiotics to cross the blood brain barrier, also probably deximethisone to reduce inflammation on the brain.

The brain damage is irreversible.
Went through this with a goat ... took 3 weeks she lived. Would not do this again. She is a pet and not a breeder so that is why we did what we could.

Hope it is not, but that's my guess. Sorry about your loss.

 

[bonbean01]

So sorry about the one that died...and now the other sick...was thinking the same thing as Southern...here is an article about it..http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/sheep/ansc442/Semprojs/2002/neurological/listeriosis.htm

 

[FlipFlopRanch]

Thanks guys. The sheep doesn't run around in circles as much as the videos I've seen of Listeriosis. She might walk around in a circle, but she also walks straight into a wall. Check out the video I posted.

 

[SheepGirl]

She's in pain (she's grinding her teeth). I would start by giving her antibiotics to start to help with her fever.

I will be able to add more tomorrow, but for now get that fever under control and give her some B vitamins to encourage her appetite. If she won't drink and she's dehydrated go ahead and drench her with some water. A mature sheep drinks about 2 gallons of water a day (depending on what you're feeding) so try to get at least half of that in her over the course of the day.

 

[FlipFlopRanch]

Thanks SheepGirl. I've done all that so I'm glad I'm going in the right direction. What type of antibiotics do you suggest?

 

[Southern by choice]

Penn G. and it must be mega dosed- Vet can give you dosage.
Also not all symptoms are always present. We caught our doe well before it was to that level. Is there eye reflex?
The probios and the drench are very important.
At first they will just keep trying to stand eventually they will fall over. Keep upright and do not let them lay on their side or they will bloat. They also will lose the ability to drink, you will need to give water by syringe. No grain, feed hay or leaves by hand to keep the sheep eating.

 

[Mike CHS]

So sorry you and your sheep are going through this. I didn't know that humans could also be infected with this and that Purdue flyer linked above is filed away.

 

[Four Winds Ranch]

Good luck!!! My advice would be the same as you have been given!!!
Keep us posted!!

 

[FlipFlopRanch]

Thanks guys. Her fever is down this morning (I'm surprised she made it through the night at all), but she is still having those little seizure attacks and more often and she's REALLY grinding her teeth. We gave her some banamine to help with the pain. She's not doing circles at all so I'm doubting the Listeriosis. What do you think about overeating disease/Enterotoxemia?

She has diarrhea this morning too.