Archive Case #13: Ovine Pregnancy Toxaemia

Clinical Clues

1. A 4-year-old ewe in late gestation is found separated from the flock and reluctant to move.
2. The farmer reports she is carrying twins and has eaten very little over the past two days.
3. She appears dull, weak, and intermittently presses her head against objects.
4. On examination she is depressed, mildly neurologic, and has a sweet ketone odour on her breath.
5. Blood testing reveals hypoglycaemia and elevated ketone bodies.
6. Negative energy balance in a ewe carrying multiple fetuses causes excessive fat mobilisation and ketosis.

Diagnosis

Ovine Pregnancy Toxaemia

This case is most consistent with Ovine Pregnancy Toxaemia because the ewe is in late gestation with multiple fetuses, has reduced feed intake, and shows hypoglycaemia with ketosis. The most important clues are the twin pregnancy, neurologic depression, ketone odour, and metabolic findings, which make other causes of weakness less likely.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.