The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: jembo on March 29, 2010, 03:04:15 pm

Title: sick lamb
Post by: jembo on March 29, 2010, 03:04:15 pm

Hi, am sat waiting for the vet to call me back, but thought I would try and pick your brains?

Got a ewe lamb (had her for 7 week now) yesterday her behaviour changed, she looked depressed, but had her usual feed and creep and hay as normal.
This morning she refused her feed, and looks a lot worse.
Her symptoms are:
Depressed, drinking excessively (water), not eating, not chewing, scouring mucus type, not making any noise at all (she always talks when she sees or hears me), occasional teeth grinding.

So far I am treating her for acidosis. As far as I am aware it is not bloat.

Any suggestions would be great !!

Title: Re: sick lamb
Post by: shrekfeet on March 29, 2010, 03:10:45 pm

If it was me I'd get some long-acting antibiotics in to her ASAP

Title: Re: sick lamb
Post by: jembo on March 29, 2010, 03:13:42 pm

Forgot to add her temp is normal at 39 degrees. Would you still do long acting antibiotic with no temp?

Title: Re: sick lamb
Post by: jembo on March 29, 2010, 07:42:43 pm

Took her into the vets (they were too busy to come out)!
She is on a course of antibiotics (5 days) and on electrolytes. He is not sure what it is yet, but temp was up to 40.4 degrees and has taken a rather watery poo sample off to be tested so find out tomorrow.   
It is pointing towards coccidiosis, just need to keep pumping the fluids in until the antibiotics kick in. Will wait for the test confirmation and then drench all of them with Vecoxan hopefully she will be ok. 

I just hate it when animals are sick and cant tell you what is wrong!

Title: Re: sick lamb
Post by: woollyval on March 29, 2010, 07:49:43 pm

Sounds like coxcy.....you are doing all the right stuff, so keep going!