Valley Veterinary Group

Vaginal prolapse occurs before lambing whilst uterine prolapse occurs less frequently afterwards, often as a result of parturition problems. Vaginal prolapse cases can range from relatively mild, where part of the vaginal wall appears at the vulva when the ewe lies down, to traumatic damage of the cervix and prolapse of the intestines through tears in the vaginal wall.

Vaginal prolapse occurs in about 1% of ewes, although some flocks will report no incidences whilst in others the rate can be as high as 7%. Prolapsed ewes have increased risk of abortion, dystocia, stillbirth and neonatal mortality, and prolapse is a significant cause of ewe mortality.

Predisposing factors for vaginal prolapse are:

Hormonal imbalance or excess

Hypocalcaemia

Large litter size (twins/triplets/quadruplets)

Ewes that are too fat or too thin (condition score greater than 4 or less than 2)

Inadequate exercise

Short tail docking – requirements are that the tail stump should cover the vulva. Tails docked too short can weaken the ligaments around the pelvis

Excessive dietary fibre

Dietary oestrogens and their precursors

Previous dystocia

Inherited predisposition - some breeds, and individuals within a given breed seem more prone to prolapse

Standing/lying on inclined terrain

Treatment

Prolapse requires veterinary treatment and the use of epidural anaesthesia to return the tissue and apply sutures or a harness to help prevent further prolapse before lambing. Both sutures and harness should be removed once the ewe starts labour to allow the lambs to be delivered.