[Jacob-list] Pepto-bismol for sheep

[ARTHUR PARTRIDGE]

--Linda wrote--

>Dr. Lent cautioned strongly against using bismuth preparations for sheep.

He said that sheep nutrition relies so much on absorption and >bismuth
works by coating the digestive system linings, thus greatly limiting
absorption.
========
That's the reason that Laura Lawson (author of Lamb Problems and also
Managing Your Ewe and Her Newborn Lambs) uses when she advises use of
Pepto-Bismol for lambs with scours.  It acts to protect the lining of the
intestines when they are inflamed from a case of the scours.  One major
problem with a prolonged case of the scours in lambs (or Linda's ewe) is
permanent damage to the intestinal lining.  As for absorption,  it probably
doesn't stay in the digestive tract that long.  I used it for my bottle
baby lamb last year; in fact, I used a lot of it when she got the scours. 
She didn't seem deprived of nutrients.  She got the scours because she
couldn't tolerate the commercial milk replacer and had to go on goat's
milk.  The Pepto did its job by protecting the intestinal lining.  I
wouldn't recommend using it for a lengthy period of time because it
probably does limit absorption over time.

A quick review of online literature also supports the use of Pepto-Bismol,
especially for young ruminants.   

Cathy
Moscow, Idaho
P.S.  Linda, I hope the ewe recovers.  I have no idea what the cause of the
diarrhea could be, but she probably needs a specific antibiotic.  But hey,
at least her intestines are not permanently damaged because of the
Pepto-Bismol treatment you gave her...;-)