[Jacob-list] excessive salivation

[Linda]

Had a bad scare today when I went out to find two ewes foaming at the mouth and then saw one vomit.  I am fairly certain that they had mountain laurel poisoning.  While there is no laurel in their area, we did have land cleared on the other side of the fence - and there was alot of laurel.  Yesterday and last night, we had pretty strong winds and my guess is that some of the leaves that were laying around the clearing were blown into their area. After some frantic guessing at treatment, Shamrock recovered within a few hours, but RubyBelle looked close to death for most of the day. She was quite wobbly for awhile.  She's up and eating now.  

There are other possibilities besides the laurel. 

I did spread fertilizer in their paddock about two weeks ago.  I didn't spread much and we've had alot of rain since.  Could it be nitrate poisoning? 

I also tossed a few handfuls of leftover driveway seed under the trees - some creeping red fescue that was "pennkoted' (treated with a fungicide).  I haven't ever noticed the sheep eating grass seed, but the rain would have spread the fungicide.  Since this wasn't sold as pasture grass, there was no warning about animals grazing. 

Is there anything else that comes to mind that would cause symptoms like this?  Anything that might cause long term effects?  I'm still watching them closely, but both do seem to be recovered.  I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Linda


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