The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: TG on April 13, 2011, 07:27:07 am

Title: Swolen udder
Post by: TG on April 13, 2011, 07:27:07 am

Our first (ever) Shetland lamb was born on Monday. She is doing well but the mother seems to be very swolen on one udder compared to the other. There is milk there but she seems to be tender and I don't think the lamb is feeding from this side. The udder is not hard / no lumps etc.
Is there anything we can do to help ?

Thanks
TG

Title: Re: Swolen udder
Post by: Beewyched on April 13, 2011, 07:33:15 am

Your ewe could be heading for mastitis - is her udder hot/getting red on that side?  the lumpiness doesn't always show straight away.  It may be an idea to hand milk that side a bit to check the milk is ok & flowing & not "turned", then try & get the lamb to suckle.

Title: Re: Swolen udder
Post by: velcro on April 13, 2011, 08:41:44 am

May be worth calling the vet and getting some antibiotics in her before it gets worse.
Agree it may be heading towards mastitis.
Make sure the lamb is getting enough milk from mum.

Title: Re: Swolen udder
Post by: piggy on April 13, 2011, 11:48:23 am

We have the same thing with 1 of my hebs,lamb is only feeding from 1 side,we are milking the full side daily and are giving a jab of antibiotics daily as well,today is day 2 and we only got half the milk out that we got yesterday so looks as if its helping.

Title: Re: Swolen udder
Post by: Fleecewife on April 13, 2011, 12:01:26 pm

With a single lamb it may only feed from one side so it takes a while for the other side to settle.  Stripping it out will help to relieve the pressure but will stimulate more milk production so always take less than the whole amount so that gradually the ewe will produce less on that side.  As mentioned above, watch out for any heat in the udder and treat without delay.