Sheep questions

[MamaLynn23]

After the big freeze Texas was hit with our pasture was basically a dust bowl and though we gave our sheep hay, corn, and small amounts of sweet feed some of them just weren't getting back to their healthy Spring weight. That is until we were then hit with storm after storm and when the rain finally stopped and dried up the grass started to grow again. Now the herd has plenty to eat and we have since dewormed them all as well. A week or so ago we had our first case of Bloat. I don't understand how though because there are no legumes on our property and we don't use them as feed. Today we had a lamb pass away from it. I didn't realize the symptoms until it was too late. My question is what plants common to acreage in South Texas could cause bloat?

 

[CluckerFamily]

Did your hay have alfalfa or clover in it?
I know high amounts can cause bloat.
I recall researching bloat when my sister’s goat had bloat, something about if they eat anything too fast or a lot at one time due to being hungry or competing for food, bloat can occur.

 

[MamaLynn23]

Our hay was good ole horse quality grass. So I don't think it had any alfalfa or clover in it. I was thinking the same thing about just eating too much too fast. Thanks.

 

[cassie]

Are you sure it wasn't enterotoxemia? Entero will cause bloat and it will also kill very quickly. Sometimes you can figure out the reason for entero and sometimes you can't.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Our hay was good ole horse quality grass. So I don't think it had any alfalfa or clover in it. I was thinking the same thing about just eating too much too fast. Thanks.

I’m not sure about sheep but I know goats and dogs can hide their symptoms very well. Sometimes you don’t notice they are sick until it is too late. You fell horrible about not noticing but it isn’t your fault because they hide sickness so well.
I hope the rest of your flock stays healthy.