The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Jacub95 on June 16, 2015, 06:25:58 pm

Title: Lamb with no anus
Post by: Jacub95 on June 16, 2015, 06:25:58 pm

Hi, I am new to this forum and looking for advice for what can be done with a lamb with no anus?
It's a 12 week old ewe lamb and I've only just discovered the problem today. Just wondering what is best for the lamb?
Thanks

Title: Re: Lamb with no anus
Post by: Tim W on June 16, 2015, 09:20:01 pm

12 weeks old? No anus?

What's she doing with all that $h1t

Title: Re: Lamb with no anus
Post by: Jacub95 on June 16, 2015, 09:39:09 pm

It comes out of the other hole  :roflanim:

Title: Re: Lamb with no anus
Post by: Tim W on June 16, 2015, 09:57:38 pm

So she has an anus but just a bit misplaced? If she is passing faeces then you do not have an immediate problem

Just make sure you butcher her as soon as she gets to a decent weight

Title: Re: Lamb with no anus
Post by: fsmnutter on June 16, 2015, 10:03:18 pm

If she survived to this age, she must have a fistula from her rectum to vagina.
I would not breed from her, but it she has made it to this age without infection or excessive urine dribbling or scour, she should make it to slaughter weight

Title: Re: Lamb with no anus
Post by: Jacub95 on June 16, 2015, 10:26:43 pm

Other than that she is perfectly fine and growing well, thank you for the replies

Title: Re: Lamb with no anus
Post by: Melmarsh on June 16, 2015, 11:05:57 pm

Hi ! I had one exactly the same, brought to my attention by the ewe at a day old . The ewe seemed to be ignoring her and I couldn't work out why !!! It was only when I was holding the lamb and it happened to poo on me that I could see it was coming from her vagina. Get said rear it for meat and I would have no problems. Lamb was OK but ewe still didn't want her so she was bottle reared.  :innocent:

Title: Re: Lamb with no anus
Post by: SallyintNorth on June 17, 2015, 10:48:56 am

Quote from: fsmnutter on June 16, 2015, 10:03:18 pm

If she survived to this age, she must have a fistula from her rectum to vagina.
I would not breed from her, but it she has made it to this age without infection or excessive urine dribbling or scour, she should make it to slaughter weight

This.

The other thing is to be aware that you have the genetics in your flock for blind anus, and check every lamb at birth ;).  They don't all have the fistula, and prompt action is required for those that don't.  Sometimes you can make a hole that will work, generally though we have found that they need to be pts.

And if you can, keep track of the ewes/tups that are producing these lambs, and either cull them, or at least don't keep any of their progeny on for breeders.