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Lamb milk replacer and disease in young lambs - Updated 25 May 2011

AHVLA are aware that certain batches of a lamb milk replacer have recently been withdrawn by a company due to problems with the milk powder manufacturing formulation.  The manufacturer has informed AHVLA that their distributors were made aware of the problem and have taken responsibility for informing their clients.

The company has issued a statement:
Lamb milk replacer statement by Frank Wright Trouw Nutrition International

The initial clinical presentation of affected lambs includes the following:-

  • Profuse sweating
  • Dermatitis
  • Urine scald
  • Abnormal stiff gait
  • Recumbency

Affected lambs, showing the initial clinical presentation, have been between 3 days and 4 weeks of age. The group morbidity is high (up to 100%) and the mortality 0-10%.

After the initial presentation, despite removal from the affected batches, lambs may show signs of growth plate damage and may include:-

  • Poor growth with deformed short limbs
  • Short rigid necks and spinal columns
  • Abnormal stiff gait
  • Thickened skin in axilla, inguinal and the insides of lower limb areas

The clinical signs are consistent with exposure to excessive vitamin A.

If you think that you have a farm which is affected please contact your local AHVLA regional laboratory for further advice and also the supplier of the milk replacer with details of the product.  They should be able to confirm whether the milk replacer was affected.

AHVLA advises that lambs are immediately taken off the suspected product and given an alternative product.  Treatment should be symptomatic. Initial improvement has been noted over a few days although in some cases lambs have been affected with abnormal bone growth (see image 8 below). Lambs with signs of abnormal bone growth should be closely monitored and may need to be euthanased on welfare grounds.

AHVLA images