Weakness and deaths in Merino weaners
- Weakness, collapse and deaths in one-year-old Merino weaners were investigated in the Great Southern.
- In a flock of 1400, eight were found dead and 100 displayed signs of weakness.
- The sheep had a body condition score of 2.5 and had been grazing oat stubbles with lupin grain supplementation since January.
- A post-mortem on one sheep showed no significant visible lesions on the organs. The gastrointestinal tract showed widespread chronic inflammation, which was attributed to intestinal worms.
- Tissue testing of the liver provided a diagnosis of vitamin E and selenium deficiency.
- Further blood sampling from other sheep in the mob may assist in assessing the vitamin E and selenium status of the flock.
- Any unexplained sudden deaths should be investigated by a vet to rule out exotic or reportable diseases.
- Read more on vitamin E and selenium deficiency.