Retained Placenta in Sheep: When a Ewe Does Not Pass the Afterbirth

Retained placenta, also called retained fetal membranes, means a ewe does not pass all of the afterbirth normally after lambing. In practical terms, pet parents and producers may notice placental tissue hanging from the vulva or suspect that part of the placenta is still inside the uterus after the lambs are born.

This matters because the uterus is supposed to shrink down and clear debris after delivery. When membranes remain attached, bacteria can gain a foothold more easily. That can lead to metritis, a postpartum uterine infection that may cause a foul discharge, fever, poor appetite, weakness, and reduced interest in nursing lambs.

Not every ewe with retained membranes looks critically ill right away. Some are bright for the first day or two. Still, a ewe that has not cleaned normally after lambing deserves close observation and a call to your vet, especially if she had a hard delivery, a dead lamb, twins or triplets with a lot of assistance, or any sign of uterine prolapse or trauma.

Retained placenta in sheep is usually linked to problems around lambing rather than one single cause. Common contributors include dystocia, assisted delivery with uterine manipulation, dead or decomposing fetuses, twins or triplets that required a lot of handling, and postpartum uterine disease. These situations can interfere with normal separation of the fetal membranes from the uterus.

Infection is another important piece of the puzzle. Merck notes that metritis in ewes is often associated with dead fetuses, assisted delivery of multiple lambs without proper hygiene, and uterine prolapse. Cornell also lists infectious abortion diseases as causes of retained placenta and metritis in sheep, which is one reason your vet may ask about abortion history in the flock.

Poor uterine tone may also play a role. Conditions that reduce normal uterine contraction, such as exhaustion after a hard labor or metabolic stress around lambing, can make it harder for the ewe to expel membranes. In some cases, several factors overlap, which is why a careful history matters.

Your vet usually starts with timing, lambing history, and a physical exam. They will ask when the ewe delivered, whether all lambs were accounted for, if assistance was needed, and whether any tissue has been hanging from the vulva. They will also check attitude, appetite, hydration, temperature, udder fill, and whether the lambs are nursing well.

A reproductive exam may be needed to look for retained membranes, uterine infection, trauma, or prolapse. If your vet is concerned that another lamb or placental tissue remains inside, they may perform a careful vaginal or uterine examination and sometimes use ultrasound. The goal is not only to confirm retained membranes, but also to rule out more urgent complications.

Diagnosis often includes checking for metritis. In sheep, postpartum metritis can cause a malodorous dark red to brown discharge, swollen vulva, lethargy, and reduced appetite. If the ewe is systemically ill, your vet may recommend bloodwork, fluids, and closer monitoring. Because treatment depends on the whole clinical picture, avoid trying to manually remove the placenta yourself unless your vet specifically instructs you to do so.

Prevention starts with good lambing management. Keep lambing areas clean and dry, use clean hands and equipment for assisted deliveries, and avoid unnecessary internal manipulation. The more trauma and contamination the uterus experiences, the higher the risk for postpartum infection and delayed uterine clearance.

Nutrition and transition care matter too. Ewes in late pregnancy need an appropriate ration, steady body condition, and close monitoring around lambing, especially if they are carrying multiples. Anything that increases metabolic stress or weakens uterine tone can make postpartum recovery harder.

Work with your vet on flock-level prevention if you have repeated cases. That may include reviewing abortion history, vaccination strategy where appropriate, lambing records, and necropsy or laboratory testing when stillbirths or abortions occur. Fast attention to dystocia, dead lambs, prolapse, and sick postpartum ewes can also reduce the chance that a retained placenta turns into a more serious uterine infection.