During autumn grazing, sheep are prone to overeating maize and other grain crops, leading to digestive issues such as ruminal impaction and acidosis. Here's how to handle it:
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Stop Feeding: If sheep have consumed excessive carbohydrates like maize, fasting for 1-3 days is necessary to relieve the digestive system's burden. Once sheep begin rumination, gradually introduce small amounts of bitter herbs and onion leaves.
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Facilitate Excretion: Administer a homemade mixture of fish oil (3g), sodium sulfate (50-60g), 95% alcohol (30-50ml), and water to accelerate bowel movements. Alternatively, use traditional Chinese medicine like Jishuitaibao to promote bowel evacuation safely and effectively.
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Encourage Rumination: Massage the rumen of affected sheep for approximately 10 minutes per session or take them for short walks multiple times a day to stimulate ruminal motility and hasten excretion.
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Gastric Lavage: Use a stomach tube to administer warm saline solution (0.5-1% concentration) into the rumen to dilute sediment and then suction out the debris using a siphon. Repeat until all sediment is removed.
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Ruminal Surgery: In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to open the rumen and remove accumulated material.
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Restore Digestive Health: After clearing the rumen, restore gastric pH and beneficial microbial balance using supplements like Anweitaiobao, which contains various Chinese herbs and probiotics to improve digestion and appetite.
When sheep overeat corn and fail to ruminate, following these steps can expedite recovery. Prevention is crucial for livestock health and welfare.
