Evisceration during late gestation
Keywords: ovine, gestation, late, accident, pregnancy, sheep
The image below shows a Texel ewe, estimated to be ~135 days post breeding. This animal was found dead in the pasture with no prior signs of debility. The intestines had eviscerated through a tear in the dorsal vagina.
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This ewe was one of six that died suddenly during late gestation. In each of three cases examined by the author, there was a single rupture in the dorsal wall of the vagina, several centimeters caudal to the cervix. Intestines had eviscerated through the tear. In the six cases reported by the farmer, the pregnancies were advanced, approximately 135 to 145 days. The fetuses were twins in all cases and all appeared to be normal.
The image below shows the location and nature of the rupture and evisceration.
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The following image shows one of the fetal lambs lying in situ, in the left uterine horn.
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This condition is very poorly documented in the literature, it's etiology unknown. Sporadic cases have been reported in the United Kingdom. Characteristically, all ewes eviscerated their intestines through a single tear in the dorsal vaginal wall. Most ewes were found dead, others euthanized. In one case, a failed surgical repair was recorded.
As one practitioner described to the author: "In one case, the shepherd was present and the ewe was standing and not straining when all of a sudden intestines began to pour from the vagina."
As one practitioner described to the author: "In one case, the shepherd was present and the ewe was standing and not straining when all of a sudden intestines began to pour from the vagina."
Affected ewes show neither vaginal prolapse nor straining prior to evisceration. The incidence may be as high as 5 per cent in some flocks. It has been associated with excessive body condition and feeding of concentrates but some ewes are in poor condition when this occurs. Interestingly, it has not been reported in primiparous ewes. Therefore, one is left wondering if the condition may be associated with previous lambing injuries. Perhaps tearing is precipitated by abdominal pressure increase due to rapid fetal growth, multiple fetuses and distended abdomens after high feed intake.
There is no evidence that sadism is involved in this condition.
Selected references:
Knottenbelt, D.C. 1988. Vaginal rupture associated with herniation of abdominal viscera in pregnant ewes. Vet. Record 122:453-456
Scott, P.R. 2015. Sheep Medicine 2nd Edition. pg 45 ISBN-10: 1498700144 ISBN-13: 978-1498700146
Knottenbelt, D.C. 1988. Vaginal rupture associated with herniation of abdominal viscera in pregnant ewes. Vet. Record 122:453-456
Scott, P.R. 2015. Sheep Medicine 2nd Edition. pg 45 ISBN-10: 1498700144 ISBN-13: 978-1498700146
