Sheep Medicine Q&A 01

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During lambing time a sheep client complains that a large number of young lambs have tear staining of the face leading to blindness in some cases. Closer examination reveals conjunctivitis, episcleral injection, and corneal ulceration in some lambs.

Question	Answer		Article
What is your diagnosis? (Most likely first)	The most likely conditions to consider include: entropion IKC		Link to Article
What treatments would you administer?	Treatment for entropion involves eversion of the lower eyelid as soon after birth as possible with regular inspection to ensure it remains everted. Topical antibiotic application controls secondary bacterial infection and aids movement of the lower eyelid, thereby reducing the likelihood of inversion. Subcutaneous antibiotic injection (1 mL of procaine penicillin) can be used to evert the lower eyelid. Skin suture(s) can be inserted to evert the lower eyelid but this procedure requires two people; one to restrain the lamb and the other to carefully insert the suture. Eales clip(s) can be inserted in the skin below the lower eyelid to cause eversion and have the advantage of requiring only one operator.		Link to Article
What are the consequences of no action/treatment?	Consequences include rupture of the cornea with herniation of the lens and loss of the eye in neglected cases.		Link to Article
What preventive measures could be adopted?	Entropion has a high hereditary component and rams siring affected progeny should be culled.		Link to Article