The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: The Chicken Lady on February 03, 2013, 09:17:14 am

Title: sick ewe?
Post by: The Chicken Lady on February 03, 2013, 09:17:14 am
One of my ewew doesnt look well. Stood on its own yesterday. It's away from the others and this morning it looked like it was lambing under the wall. Standing up, turning round, star gazing but when I got to it it wasn't. It's not bagged up and I don't even know if it is in lamb. It was one I bought last year that had been with a tup before I got it. It is not overly thin although I don't think it is eating. Going to bring it into the stable as the weather is really bad. Any suggestions?
Title: Re: sick ewe?
Post by: Marches Farmer on February 03, 2013, 12:27:53 pm
If it's star gazing my first suspect would be twin lamb.  Can you get close enough to smell its breath?  If it's TL it'll be like nail polish remover/pear drops.
Title: Re: sick ewe?
Post by: The Chicken Lady on February 03, 2013, 04:07:00 pm
I've got it penned in a shelter that I use for my cows when they are in that field. It does not smell. It doesn't seem to have a temprature or be panting at all. I have left it in a straw bed with some hay. hard feed and water. Will see what happens overnight. What would I do if it was twim lamb disease?
Title: Re: sick ewe?
Post by: The Chicken Lady on February 03, 2013, 05:05:30 pm
Just been to check on her and she has aborted twin lambs. Deformed and very smelly. Husband gone to get antibiotics from local farmer. Hope she will be OK. Her condition is fairly good so here's hoping and also hopeing that I don't loose any more. Don't think it is that smallenburg virus but will post if it turns out to be.  :fc:
Title: Re: sick ewe?
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on February 03, 2013, 05:20:38 pm
Sad for the lambs but if things weren't right its better they are 'out'. Hope the antibiotics do their job and she recovers well....
Title: Re: sick ewe?
Post by: Hillview Farm on February 03, 2013, 05:27:40 pm
How big were the lambs out of interest?

Sorry for your poor ewe!
Title: Re: sick ewe?
Post by: goosepimple on February 03, 2013, 05:30:21 pm
Oh that's a pity chicken lady, hope she recovers from her experience poor girl, lots of TLC  :fc: :hug:
Title: Re: sick ewe?
Post by: ZaktheLad on February 03, 2013, 06:25:37 pm
Sorry to hear this.    :'(   Keep her isolated from your other in-lamb ewes as abortion can be contagious and spread through your flock. 
Title: Re: sick ewe?
Post by: The Chicken Lady on February 03, 2013, 09:37:49 pm
One was about 9 inches - deformed, pink. The other was just a long piece of mush, could only make out a couple of hooves. She has started eating so hope she will be OK. How long should I keep her isolated?
Title: Re: sick ewe?
Post by: Pedwardine on February 03, 2013, 09:51:20 pm
Sorry to hear that CL. Out of curiosity all you knowledgable folks out there, what happens with the stored up milk in circumstances such as this unfortunate one? Does CL have to milk her? What are the chances of mastitis?
Title: Re: sick ewe?
Post by: The Chicken Lady on February 03, 2013, 09:57:27 pm
She had no milk - no bag. If she had I would just leave her. Still need to keep an eye on her for signs of mastitis but she would just dry up naturally.
Title: Re: sick ewe?
Post by: Brucklay on February 03, 2013, 10:01:54 pm
My c-section goat that had milk I double checked with the vet at the time and he said she should dry up naturally - just to keep an eye on things
Title: Re: sick ewe?
Post by: ZaktheLad on February 03, 2013, 10:05:23 pm
Isolate for approx 3 weeks if possible, but definitely until any vaginal discharge has cleared up.  If you kept foetus your vet will be able to tell you what type of abortion has occurred as some types have more risk than others to the rest of your flock. This might be useful to know as she won't be too happy kept on her own for too long.  Sounds like she was probably about midterm in her pregnancy?
Title: Re: sick ewe?
Post by: The Chicken Lady on February 04, 2013, 11:56:09 am
She's fine this morning. Gave her 2nd dose of antibiotics. She's eating and drinking. Think she will be OK just have to watch for any secondary infection which could occur at about 10 days.
Title: Re: sick ewe?
Post by: ZaktheLad on February 04, 2013, 12:34:29 pm
Great news   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: sick ewe?
Post by: goosepimple on February 04, 2013, 12:44:05 pm
Yes, good news  :thumbsup:


Enjoy your posts Zac, you are very knowledgeable.
Title: Re: sick ewe?
Post by: Roxy on February 04, 2013, 03:20:50 pm
Sorry about your lambs, Karen.  Good  that the ewe is ok though.  Hope all is well otherwise with you,  Wil have to come and  see you ....just so busy with this weather and hungry animals,as Iam sure you are :)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Title: Re: sick ewe?
Post by: The Chicken Lady on February 04, 2013, 06:55:31 pm
yes busy with feeding and all the cold weather. I will send you a pm Roxy to let you know what we are up to.