The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: luckylady on May 01, 2012, 08:49:35 am

Title: Orphan poorly - help!
Post by: luckylady on May 01, 2012, 08:49:35 am

Adopted 3 orphan lambs Saturday morning and one is not doing so well as the others.  One was orphaned at birth and doing brilliantly (he is a week old) and two were taken off mum as she had quads and couldn't feed them all.  They were on her for a few days though so got colostrum initially (they are 5/6 days old but quite small).  One of them has taken well to bottle and substitute milk whilst the other one struggles to stay latched to the bottle and looses interest half way through feeding.  This isn't my main problem with him though as I have increased frequency of feed for him.  I am mainly worried about his bowels.  He is straining to pooh and groans whilst he tries.  He excretes very small amounts of scour - mustard coloured and runny but only a few drops.  I have cleaned his bottom so there is definitely no external blockage and rub him as his mother would to encourage him to pooh but nothing seems to be working.  Getting worried for him now.  Can anyone suggest anything I can try?

Title: Re: Orphan poorly - help!
Post by: Castle Farm on May 01, 2012, 09:05:24 am

Vet ASAP.

Title: Re: Orphan poorly - help!
Post by: Haylo-peapod on May 01, 2012, 09:21:43 am

Is the opening of the anus the normal size? Sometimes it doesn't open fully in which case the vet will need to open it up. You mentioned there is no external blockage but can you feel whether the poo is building up inside and just can't get out through the opening?

Title: Re: Orphan poorly - help!
Post by: luckylady on May 01, 2012, 09:40:31 am

Thanks for the advice.  Isn't it just typical that after I posted I went to feed him and he poohed normally afterwards.  Panic over but will keep close eye on him and if it happens again will follow advice.  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Orphan poorly - help!
Post by: Haylo-peapod on May 01, 2012, 09:42:38 am

Always the way   ;D
Pleased it's good news though.
Hope he does well.

Title: Re: Orphan poorly - help!
Post by: luckylady on May 01, 2012, 09:49:14 am

Thank you Haylo-peapod.  ;D

Title: Re: Orphan poorly - help!
Post by: MrsJ on May 01, 2012, 10:47:34 am

Hope he goes on the same way.  Fingers crossed

Title: Re: Orphan poorly - help!
Post by: feldar on May 01, 2012, 12:25:01 pm

Hi Luckylady
Yellow is the normal colour for lamb poo and believe me they do groan and sonmetimes bleat a lot when passing poo if they are taking too much milk it can pass into the second stomach and give them a tummy ache then they do scour a bit and feel sorry for themselves. keep up the good work every lamb is different just like kids really.

Title: Re: Orphan poorly - help!
Post by: luckylady on May 04, 2012, 04:34:05 pm

Thanks feldar, that is reassuring.  :thumbsup: