Hypomagnesaemia in ewes treated with 'Agrimin' bullets

Authors: Scott I
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 21, Issue 10, pp 228, Oct 1973
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Minerals/elememts, Metabolic disease, Disease/defect, Locomotor, Nervous system/neurology, Treatment/therapy
Article class: Clinical Communication

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Abstract: In New Zealand hypomagnesaemia in sheep is often associated with a staggers syndrome. The condition appears to be complicated and treatment with various forms of magnesium is generally unsatisfactory. In the United Kingdom another syndrome is seen - that of sudden death in ewes about 2 weeks after lambing. In an outbreak sheep are found dead overnight with signs of terminal struggling. If they are seen alive there is nervous excitement, tremor, eye rolling, charging and stupidity. Serum magnesium levels are less than 1.0 mg/100 ml, and a concurrent low calcium is necessary. A condition resembling this has occurred in a stud Cheviot flock in the Glenorchy district for some 9 years…

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