Author Topic: Panting ewe (Read 5004 times)

Hevxxx99 · « **on:** March 17, 2016, 03:47:39 pm »

My mule shearling has produced two (very different) lambs today: first at around 10.30am and a second rather weedy one I'd guess around 11.30/12 o'clock. She's not very settled at all and is still panting. Should I look for a third? i've palpitated her still large belly and can't feel anything but she does seem uncomfortable and surprisingly round. She is a greedy girl though.

Also, the weedy lamb has suckled a little, after a dose of kickstart (he was looking hopeless before) but Mum is lying down a lot: he looks cold and hunched, but with a round tum. My concern though, is that he is just standing looking a bit out of it. Not trying to lie down at all. Think he might be constipated, or is it too soon for that?

shotblastuk · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2016, 03:58:35 pm »

Has she dropped her afterbirth?

fsmnutter · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2016, 04:49:30 pm »

If you're not sure if there's another lamb, maybe call vet? Could be signs of infection or mineral imbalance

Hevxxx99 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2016, 04:56:51 pm »

There's no sign of afterbirth, but she may have eaten it. sadly I wasn't there when she lambed. I had a poke around and there doesn't seem to be a stuck lamb or anything untoward internally. She was in early stages of labour for a very long time, so maybe she's just tired? I wondered about a mineral deficiency, but there's no trembling or foaming at the mouth and her breath is sweet.

She is eating now albeit rather restlessly, and seems brighter, but the little lamb is still feeble and she isn't keen to suckle either of them for more than a few seconds. I managed to milk out some colostrum and got a tiny bit into the wee lamb but he still seems very dazed and just stands. he isn't constipated and has passed a blob of meconium now. Maybe he'll pick up after that...

Vinnie · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:06:16 pm »

Hi in the past sometimes when we have had a ewe that had a hard time, we gave them a little brown sugar. Only about a tablespoon or so. If she needs it she will eat it out of your hand. Not sure if it's the sugar or the molasses in it but it seems to perk them up, if of course there is nothing wrong inside , and that she just tired. Hope it helps

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:13:37 pm »

If you've got injectable Combivit, a jag of that would do her no harm at all. And given you don't know if she's passed her afterbirth, and have had a poke around inside, you might want to give her some a/bs too.

Regarding the lamb, just standing sounds hungry - but you say his tummy is rounded? She maybe butted him away at some point, and he is genuinely dazed? And/or, if he was en route for a long time, he may had had some lack of oxygen to the brain. If so, he may come right, or may always be a bit dopey.

Hevxxx99 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2016, 08:16:33 pm »

Yes, the lamb has had a little drink and has more sips every so often, but is clearly not very good at it or very interested in abating his hunger either. He was having a little gambol earlier, so maybe I'm fussing about nothing. He just looks so pathetic compared to his big sister. They must have different sires!