Treatment of pregnancy toxaemia in sheep with flunixin meglumine

Common treatments for ewes affected with pregnancy toxaemia include the oral administration of glycerol or propylene glycol solutions, intravenous glucose, and, at more than 135 days of gestation, injection of dexamethasone or beta methasone to induce parturition ( Radostits and others 2007 ), with the aim of eliminating the metabolic demand for energy of the gravid uterus. Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that flunixin meglumine treatment may provide a means to achieve the full economic potential of high prolificacy: ewe and lamb losses due to pregnancy toxaemia are reduced and the welfare of the animals is improved.