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Post Weaning Encephalopathy in Lambs

8 December 2022

With wintery weather forecast, it is likely that many lambs could be housed in the coming days. Farmers should be aware of post weaning encephalopathy in lambs. This is most common in newly housed lambs 1 – 2 days after housing and is associated with lack of familiarity with the water source and or the water is difficult to access with lambs going through a period of interrupted water supply.

Clinical signs (in lambs that otherwise are healthy) include;

  • Blindness
  • More serve general nervous signs (head pressing, teeth grinding)
  • Sudden death

Ensure that lambs have free access to an obvious water source when first housed to avoid this.

Older lambs housed inside

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