Ram acting drunk

[mystang89]

I went out today to let my sheep graze. I opened my rams door and he burst out like normal, but just stumbled all over the place. He couldn't get up at first, eyes darting around, head going back and forth. The video shows well what I'm talking about.

When I put him up last night everything was fine. He has no access to food in there. He's been in this same stall for over 2 months. He eats grain from the hand. I haven't seen him take water. Help please.

Edit: took his temp. It was 102.5.

 

[luvmypets]

Thats very strange, I have never seen any behavior like that. My first thought would be his stumbling looks like it could be a nuerological issue. However Im wondering if it could possibly be a mineral issue as I know that can sometimes cause tremors such as you are seeing. Im unsure to be completely honest @Sheepshape has more experience

 

[Alibo]

My first thought would be listeriosis or polio but I have goats and do not know how either affect sheep. I hope some others can chime in quickly but I would start B complex asap anyway. I think at least a call to the vet would also be in order. Good luck I hope he recovers quickly!

 

[mysunwolf]

Definitely look into listeriosis or some kind of poison. And I agree, vet time.

 

[Donna R. Raybon]

Keep up us updated... To me looks like grass tetany or listerisosis. Either way, it is call the vet time!!! You always want to be extra cautious about neurological problems as rabies is always on the list of things to be ruled out. Just saying this because that is first thing our vet drilled into my head many, many years ago when trying to figure out what is wrong.

Often temp won't be elevated at first with listeriosis. Understand that it too is communicable to humans, so latex gloves and wash hands. But, usually they are more likely to head press, circle, etc... rather than tremoring like ram is doing.

Polio you would see more head pressing, neck arched back, etc...

If this were a calf/cow I would say absolutely it is grass tetany. There is a unique sugar in new, flush growing grass that ties up magnesium and causes the tremors. I always fed a mineral mix with magnesium in it and an even higher dose of magnesium in spring. Once grass is over ankle high the sugar is decreased and doesn't present a problem. Seen some of it in cattle, and sad to say, no matter treatment, once down they did not recover. In very, very mild cases giving magnesium did help, but not once they were down and spasming.

Poisoning on a plant? Could be. Had a goat get into the tobacco barn after we had hung green tobacco to cure and she had spasms, tremors, could not stand, cried in pain, but with a reduced body temperature of 95 F..... fast trip to UT Vet school and correct diagnosis saved her. Passing a large dog esophogeal tube in order to give about two quarts of liquid activated charcoal stopped her symptoms in a matter of minutes. That was Simple Life Kasey and I put her in the backseat of my Corolla to get her to and from UT.

 

[Sheepshape]

I'd agree with earlier comments....looks like poisoning or listeria. I had a hogget with listeria last year and she seemed drunk/disorientated etc and didn't appear to be seeing. She got through it, but very slowly.....needed to have the drench gun to give fluids and hand feeding for a couple of weeks.

Keep us informed as to what happens.

 

[Wehner Homestead]

Hoping you update soon with improvement!

 

[mystang89]

Thank you everyone. I read up on Listeria and am real worried that may be what it is since I have other sheep, (ewes and lambs which are separated but only by a fence) which I would hate to come down with it. I have been keeping an eye on him today and he's acting "better". He is more balanced and not glossy eyed. He still walks a bit wide legged and he'll wobble from time to time especially if he gets spooked or have to go down a hill. I'm going to go out and get some activated charcoal for him in case its poisoning. I can't imagine what but just in case. Hopefully the local farm store has some.

I've seen him out in the grass eating on his own and when I herd him out. He also takes in water as well. He even tried to head butt my wife...which is a bad thing but I was glad at the same time.

@Donna R. Raybon The grass here is very tall. I'm 6' and it comes up to my waist so I'm hoping its not grass tetany.

 

[Sheepshape]

I've never seen grass tetany in sheep, but it does occur....usually in lambs turned out to lush grass(fertilised) or their mums who have run low on magnesium for a while. Seems worthwhile giving him some, though.

Listeria isn't so common at this time of year, either, as moly hay or silage are usually implicated.

Whatever the cause, it sounds as though he is improving.

Had a goat get into the tobacco barn

Hopefully only goats have these, what can I say, DIFFERENT tastes in food.However, over here sheep will eat rhododendrons in the garden if they get a chance, and they can die from that. Just in case your sheep eat rhododendrons........abdominal pain, vomiting ......death. Treatment......stomach tube, activated charcoal or very strong tea in an emergency as tannin binds the toxins, consult your vet immediately for an atropine injection.

 

[mystang89]

I went out here today to let the ram out and he seems to be doing better. It kind of frustrates me because I don't know what was wrong with him. If I don't know what's wrong with him then I don't know how to prevent it ou treat it. I don't know if it was poison and it worked its way through its system. I tried finding Activated charcoal around here but apparently that's something that needs to be purchased online. Perhaps it was only a mild poison. I don't know, it may have been a concussion. You have to remember this is the ram who burst his way through the Barnwood to get out of the stall. I reinforced all of the barn where he is so maybe he tried again and knocked himself silly.

When I was outside letting them out I did come across a new flower in my pasture. I don't know what type of flower is but here's a pic of it.