The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Fizaye on February 23, 2012, 05:37:20 pm
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Very worried about my ewes who are expecting their first lambs in March (if my calculations are correct! Access to the tup from 16th Oct onwards). Came home last Friday to find one dead jn the field,it had lambed early and also prolapsed (Everything out!). Today found another laid down and looking miserable. Her udder has milk and her vulva looks swollen. Put her in a stable and she looks far more comfortable,nibbling hay and cudding, though every so often she gets down and pants abit. It is a while since I kept sheep and had very few problems in the past, but these girls are not just as robust as my previous ones and don't want to lose anymore if possible.
If anyone has any advice or ideas, I would be most grateful. Thanks Guys :sheep:
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Im not an expert but learning...1).. the first thing I would check is to see if she was too fat ? have you condition scored? can you feel her spine on her back or is it covered in fat? if it is flat she is too fat and thats why she has prolapsed early 2) has she had access to minerals and vitimins and what diet have they been having? maybe a shortage in mins and vits, please tell us what diet and amounts of feed have you been giving daily?
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of course if you can check the lamb ? is it disfigured? maybe think of smollenburg desease !!
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If concerned, I would report your problems to your local vet - just to confirm it is not Schmallenburg. If not, too fat can lead to prolapse and too thin can lead to twin lamb disease.
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Should be due about 10th March onwards. Not sure when early lambing becomes abortion. I think I would be getting the vet out.
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I'm sorry I can't offer any useful advice as my girls aren't going to have lambs, but I'm always very sorry for anyone who loses their sheep from what ever cause. I know how distressing it is when things aren't going to plan. I must admit if things are wrong I always get the vet in. Hope things improve. :)
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Good idea to bring her in where you can observe her more easily. I would speak to a vet tomorrow - could you be in a SBV area? - otherwise you may be looking at a weekend call-out. Good luck and sorry about the other ewe.
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Thanks chaps for your imput, my girls were on the plump side, but have managed to slim them down, (can feel their spines). The grass is in very short supply at the moment so they are having hay, a small amount of ewe mix and have a mineral bucket for in lamb ewes. The one I brought in seems to be alot more comfortable now. (which is more than can be said about me!! ::).Could be a long night :dunce:
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Please keep us updated Fiz
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After a night inside she seemed to rally round and by morning was bleating for her mates!!! I on the other hand looked and felt like a Zombie. Since then she has gone back out with the others and is behaving normally. They are all due from 11/3 onwards so I hope all stays on track till then, and that this new virus hasn't made it "up north" as yet.
Thanks to everyone for their input,nice to know there are similar minded people out the. Off to attend to my border collie baby (10 months) she has just been spayed and is not a happy bunny.
Cheers chaps x :wave: x