Metritis in Sheep: Uterine Infection After Lambing

Quick Answer
  • Metritis is a uterine infection that usually develops soon after lambing, especially after a difficult birth, retained placenta, dead lamb, uterine prolapse, or unclean manual assistance.
  • Common signs include a foul-smelling red-brown discharge, fever, swollen vulva, poor appetite, lethargy, reduced milk production, and less interest in nursing lambs.
  • See your vet promptly if a ewe seems dull after lambing, has a bad-smelling discharge, or is not caring for lambs well. Sick ewes can decline quickly from dehydration, toxemia, or secondary complications.
  • Typical US cost range for evaluation and treatment is about $150-$400 for farm-call exam and basic medications, $300-$800 for standard treatment with fluids and follow-up, and $800-$2,000+ for hospitalization, surgery, or intensive care.
Estimated cost: $150–$2,000

What Is Metritis in Sheep?

Metritis is an infection and inflammation of the uterus that can happen after lambing. In ewes, it is most often a postpartum problem, meaning it develops in the hours to days after birth rather than during a normal pregnancy. The uterus is especially vulnerable at that time because the cervix has been open, tissues may be bruised, and bacteria can enter more easily.

This condition is often linked to retained fetal membranes, a dead fetus, difficult lambing, uterine prolapse, or unclean assisted delivery. Affected ewes may have a dark red to brown, foul-smelling discharge and can become dull, off feed, and less willing to nurse their lambs. Some spend long periods lying down and may produce less milk, so the lambs may seem persistently hungry.

Metritis can range from a localized uterine infection to a whole-body illness. Mild cases may respond well to prompt treatment, while severe cases can lead to dehydration, toxemia, poor mothering, infertility, or death. That is why early veterinary involvement matters, even if the discharge is the first sign you notice.

Symptoms of Metritis in Sheep

  • Foul-smelling red, brown, or dark bloody discharge after lambing
  • Swollen or puffy vulva, sometimes with staining on the tail and perineum
  • Fever, often around 104-106°F (40-41.5°C)
  • Poor appetite or complete refusal to eat
  • Lethargy, depression, or spending long periods lying down
  • Reduced milk production or weak maternal behavior
  • Reluctance to let lambs nurse or poor interest in lambs
  • Signs of dehydration, weakness, or shock in severe cases

A small amount of discharge can be normal after lambing, but bad odor, fever, depression, or poor mothering are not normal. Those signs raise concern for metritis, retained placenta, trauma, or another postpartum complication.

See your vet quickly if the ewe is off feed, weak, not caring for lambs, or has a foul-smelling discharge. Same-day care is especially important if she also has a retained placenta, a history of difficult lambing, a dead lamb, or a uterine prolapse.

What Causes Metritis in Sheep?

Metritis develops when bacteria gain access to the uterus after lambing and the ewe cannot clear the contamination effectively. The biggest risk factors are retained fetal membranes, dystocia, dead lambs, uterine prolapse, and unhygienic manual interference during lambing. Dirty hands, repeated internal exams, or rough traction can introduce bacteria and also damage tissue, making infection more likely.

In sheep, the placenta is usually passed within about 6 hours after birth and is considered retained if it has not been expelled by roughly 12 to 18 hours. Retained membranes do not always cause metritis, but they increase the risk because decaying tissue and an open reproductive tract create a good environment for bacterial growth.

Some infectious abortion diseases can also set the stage for postpartum uterine infection. Cornell notes that conditions such as listeriosis can be associated with retained placenta and metritis. Flock-level hygiene, abortion management, and biosecurity therefore matter, not only for pregnancy loss but also for the ewe's recovery after lambing.

How Is Metritis in Sheep Diagnosed?

Your vet usually diagnoses metritis based on the ewe's recent lambing history, physical exam findings, and the character of the discharge. Important clues include a foul-smelling red-brown discharge, fever, swollen vulva, poor appetite, lethargy, and reduced interest in lambs. A history of difficult delivery, retained placenta, dead lamb, or uterine prolapse makes the diagnosis more likely.

During the exam, your vet may check temperature, hydration, heart rate, rumen fill, udder status, and whether the ewe is producing milk for her lambs. A careful reproductive exam may be needed to look for retained placental tissue, trauma, or another lamb still present. In some cases, ultrasound can help assess whether the uterus is enlarged or contains fluid or tissue.

If the ewe is very sick, your vet may also recommend bloodwork or sample submission, especially when abortion disease is a concern in the flock. Lab testing becomes more important if multiple ewes are affected, if there was an abortion storm, or if there are concerns about reportable or zoonotic infections.

Treatment Options for Metritis in Sheep

Spectrum of Care means you have options. Here are treatment tiers at different price points.

Budget-Conscious Care

$150–$400
Best for: Mild to moderate cases in stable ewes that are still standing, drinking, and not showing signs of shock.
  • Farm-call or clinic exam
  • Temperature check and postpartum reproductive assessment
  • Systemic antibiotics selected by your vet
  • Anti-inflammatory medication if appropriate
  • Basic oral or subcutaneous fluids when feasible
  • Lamb support plan, such as monitoring nursing or supplementing milk intake
Expected outcome: Often fair to good when treatment starts early and no retained tissue or severe toxemia is present.
Consider: Lower upfront cost, but fewer diagnostics and less intensive monitoring may miss complications such as retained placenta, uterine trauma, or worsening dehydration.
Most Common

Recommended Standard Treatment

$300–$800
Best for: Most ewes with clear clinical metritis, fever, foul discharge, reduced appetite, and decreased mothering after lambing.
  • Full veterinary exam with postpartum history review
  • Systemic antibiotics and anti-inflammatory treatment
  • IV or more substantial fluid therapy if dehydrated
  • Assessment for retained fetal membranes, dead fetus, or uterine prolapse complications
  • Possible oxytocin or prostaglandin-based uterine evacuation support if your vet feels it is appropriate
  • Follow-up recheck and nursing/lamb survival guidance
Expected outcome: Good in many cases with prompt treatment, though fertility and milk production may be affected if infection is severe or treatment is delayed.
Consider: More complete care and monitoring, but higher cost range and more handling. Some ewes still need escalation if they do not improve quickly.

Advanced / Critical Care

$800–$2,000
Best for: Severely ill ewes, recumbent animals, cases with shock or systemic illness, or ewes with major postpartum complications.
  • Emergency stabilization and intensive fluid therapy
  • Hospitalization or repeated on-farm critical care visits
  • Ultrasound, bloodwork, and additional diagnostics
  • Aggressive treatment for toxemia, endotoxemia, or peritonitis risk
  • Management of concurrent problems such as uterine prolapse, severe trauma, or retained dead fetus
  • Surgical intervention or euthanasia discussion in grave cases
Expected outcome: Guarded to fair depending on how advanced the infection is and whether there are complications such as prolapse, severe tissue damage, or delayed treatment.
Consider: Most resource-intensive option. It offers the broadest support for critical cases, but cost range, labor, and transport demands are much higher.

Cost estimates as of 2026-03. Actual costs vary by location, clinic, and individual case.

Questions to Ask Your Vet About Metritis in Sheep

Bring these questions to your vet appointment to get the most out of your visit.

  1. Does this ewe likely have metritis, retained placenta, trauma from lambing, or another postpartum problem?
  2. Does she need antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, fluids, or treatment to help clear the uterus?
  3. Do you suspect a retained lamb or placental tissue, and should we use ultrasound or an internal exam?
  4. Are her lambs getting enough milk, or should I supplement or foster them while she recovers?
  5. Is this case likely related to difficult lambing technique, hygiene, abortion disease, or a flock management issue?
  6. Should we submit placenta, fetal tissue, or samples for lab testing if there was an abortion or dead lamb?
  7. What signs mean she is improving, and what signs mean I should call again the same day?
  8. Will this affect her future fertility or whether she should stay in the breeding flock?

How to Prevent Metritis in Sheep

Prevention starts with clean lambing management. Use clean, dry bedding in lambing pens, avoid overcrowding, and keep the ewe's hind end as clean as possible before assisting. If you need to examine or assist a ewe, wash hands, use clean sleeves or arm-length gloves, and use plenty of obstetrical lubricant. Repeated or rough internal exams increase both tissue trauma and bacterial contamination.

Good obstetric judgment also helps. Call your vet early for difficult births rather than having multiple people repeatedly attempt delivery. Unhygienic or prolonged manual interference is a well-recognized risk factor for metritis. Early veterinary help may reduce trauma, improve lamb survival, and lower the chance of postpartum infection.

Watch closely for retained placenta, especially if membranes are still present beyond 12 to 18 hours after lambing. Ewes with dead lambs, abortion, prolapse, or dystocia deserve extra monitoring for fever, discharge, appetite, and mothering behavior over the next several days. If abortion disease is suspected, isolate affected animals and work with your vet on sample submission, sanitation, and flock-level prevention.

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