Abomasal dilatation and emptying defect in a flock of Suffolk ewes
Ruegg, P.L.; George, L.W.; East, N.E.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 193(12): 1534-1536
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 3215813 Document Number: 326108
Abomasal dilatation and emptying defect was identified in 14 of 130 Suffolk sheep from a single flock in northern California, 13 of the cases between November 1986 and April 1987. All affected sheep were ewes and in all the condition developed during the lambing season. Clinical signs consisted of chronic anorexia and weight loss. Laboratory data from affected ewes reflected concurrent disease and was not helpful in diagnosis of the disease. PM examination of 13 affected ewes revealed a distended, ingesta-filled abomasum in all of them. The brain stem of 6 ewes was examined, and lesions suggestive of scrapie were not observed. Pedigree analysis determined that the condition was independent of sire. A relationship between the age of affected ewes and the disease was not found. Treatment was unsuccessful in 13 ewes, but 1 recovered after treatment with metoclopramide.