Open ewe all bagged up

[cgeffk]

Hi all,

I have a katahdin ewe who is in good health (although a little on the chunky side). Her udder is all bagged up like she is getting ready to have a lamb, but the sheep have no been bred this year. She has had lambs in the past, so some sagging is expected, but this is not just a saggy, empty udder. No hardness, no lumps, no heat. Has anyone else ever encountered this? I am wondering if it is hormonal or something... any thoughts are appreciated!

 

[Sheepshape]

Hi, and welcome to the forum. I hope that between us we can be of help.

Firstly could you take a pic of the udder/vulva? (I know.....it's really not sheep porn!). Has she got a big belly/otherwise looks pregnant?

A number of things come to mind. False pregnancies do occur. Ovarian and uterine malignancies can also be the cause. But far and away the most common....the neighbour's ram (or your own ram, some passing ram, any old ram). Almost every year I have some girl who squeezes out a few that I swear has not been within two big fields of a ram.

The ram has a very sensitive nose and can smell oestrus in ewes up to 2 miles awayif the wind is in the right direction. He will seek out any ewe on heat, and rams are VERY good jumpers. BUT...there's never been a ram in that field/yard/paddock you say. Well, you may not think so, but rams rarely hang around for the paternity suit to be filed.

Those are my first thoughts...I'm sure others will chip in.

 

[cgeffk]

Hi, and welcome to the forum. I hope that between us we can be of help.

Firstly could you take a pic of the udder/vulva? (I know.....it's really not sheep porn!). Has she got a big belly/otherwise looks pregnant?

A number of things come to mind. False pregnancies do occur. Ovarian and uterine malignancies can also be the cause. But far and away the most common....the neighbour's ram (or your own ram, some passing ram, any old ram). Almost every year I have some girl who squeezes out a few that I swear has not been within two big fields of a ram.

The ram has a very sensitive nose and can smell oestrus in ewes up to 2 miles awayif the wind is in the right direction. He will seek out any ewe on heat, and rams are VERY good jumpers. BUT...there's never been a ram in that field/yard/paddock you say. Well, you may not think so, but rams rarely hang around for the paternity suit to be filed.

Those are my first thoughts...I'm sure others will chip in.

Thank you! After doing some reading about false pregnancies, I suspect that the bag is caused because of her weight, rather than actually being mated.