The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: ewesaidit on January 29, 2015, 03:12:30 pm
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:( I have a ewe with a retained afterbirth. She lambed (early) six days ago. On vet's advice she's had long acting antibiotic and metacam twice. Had hoped she would eventually expel it but the dried up 'dangly bit' remained and there's now an unpleasant smell (to be expected). The ewe is fine in herself, eating up and doing her lamb well.
Was just interested in anyone else's experiences? If you've had a ewe with this problem in the past has she subsequently lambed ok?
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This is a common problem in cows and sheep when babies come early. It'll come away when it's ready. It doesn't affect subsequent lambings :)
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Have you consulted your vet since? May need to be topped up with a/bs.
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I'd bring her to the vets or get them to see her and see if they can pull it off. Sheep don't tend to have this problem, cows have it more often and the general rule is to leave it until it comes off itself or 6-7 days, when the vet can come and try pull it gently. You don't want to pull it away too soon in case it causes unnecessary bleeding but after that long it should just come - it's generally just held in by the closing cervix.
Then she'll definitely need more antibiotics, if it smells it means there's infection and it wouldn't be good if it went back inside her uterus.
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thanks for the replies folks no sign of anything being passed although dried up dangly bit has gone and less smell now if it's been retained not sure how long it will take to totally decompose? have kept her on antibiotic cover meantime and will re-assess and speak to the vet on Monday Ewe still absolutely fine
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Is it possible that the 'retained placenta' was actually just hanging onto the wool, with just a bit not fully out of the vulva? We have had that, and it does smell, but not really of infection. If the ewe stands on the trailing end, or rubs her backside against a fence, the trailing bit will come away and all is well. Otherwise, if it really is the whole placenta retained then, if it was me, it's time to pop her in a trailer or pick-up and pop down to the vet for an opinion.
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Hi newbie hear so hope you don't mind me hopping in, it's possible the antibiotics are holding off any infection causing your ewe to much problem at the momment, have had Similar that some has hung on a few days after and got smelly, might be worth asking vet for a pessery tablet to put in her, or them to do if you rather, this will with hope clean her out a bit,
Watching she's ok in herself is important if she goes off her food etc she's getting an infection which could be serious,
Like said might pay to chat to vet again, likely he will give her something like oxytocin, what is used nornally to let milk down if they are holding it up, this also relaxs the uterus in another action and alow placenta to come out,
Hope this helped a bit,
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Good to hear your thoughts, moos and ewes. Having been chatting with you on the Intro board, I just wanted to make it clear that it's to TAS that you are a newbie - you've been keeping sheep for 16 years, I think you said?
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Hi folks, would just like to add that oxytocin is only effective on the uterus within a couple of days of giving birth, after that the receptors disappear and it won't do anything there to help expel the retained membranes.
It will still help with milk let-down but it is a different physiological process.
Also oxytocin actually contracts the uterus, it the opposite of relaxing it - that's why we give it after assisted lambings/calvings if at risk of haemorrage.
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Quick update - still no sign of anything being passed at the beginning of last week (about 10 days after lambing) so spoke to the vet again. She prescribed estremate (think that's what it was called - might be affected by lambing brain tho!) which was to initiate contractions to expel anything still there. I was worried that if I had missed anything being passed that it wouldn't actually cause any problems. The ewe was also given Zuprevo for long acting antibiotic cover. The ewe is absolutely fine and her lamb is doing well so think I don't need to be concerned about it any more. Thanks to everyone who contributed.
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Thanks for the update, glad to hear all is going well :relief: