The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: countrygirlatheart on April 09, 2010, 10:49:03 pm
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just off to bed after a sad day .... basically had a first time lamber lamb a great ewe lamb followed unfortunately by a stillborn small tup lamb
then its a very long story - despite all seeming well at first - went on to involving 'mild' mastitis on one side, tube feeding and a vet visit to tie off a bleeding navel
the navel had been ok previously and had iodine applied but whatevers happened after that (between my checks) has meant that it seems to have seeped blood after the vet visit to tie it off all seemed well but on next check found lamb practically dead and it died within the next few minutes vet thinks blood loss must have been too great
has anyone had experience of this? is it normal for the ewe to pay a lot of attention to cleaning the navel as she did
so now have a ewe with no lambs with a huge udder,one side dodgy (but still soft) - is this a disaster waiting to happen re the mastitis (she's been given long acting antibiotic)
the poor ewe was such a good mum too ..... very sad to see
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Sorry to hear about your loss of two lambs. I do hope your ewe does not develop mastitis - hopefully the antibiotics will kick in. And the udder will decrease in size and she will dry off.
Fingers crossed for her. You have had enough things happen, without that as well.
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What a shame - no lambs to give her?
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Roxy - thanks for your comments, much appreciated
Rosemary - unfortunately no lambs available - my others lambed mostly late Jan/Feb - this one was later lambing as she came back in season about four times before holding as I am MV accredited I asked the vet if he knew of any others around but they are either finished lambing or non-MV On a separate note all the best for your move and your new life - sounds like a great place, best wishes
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Hi,
Sorry to hear the news, I have seen a goat being over zealous about the navel/cord to the point where they have ripped it open. We did lose her kid, and had to take the other one away. Every year we just had to take away her kids immediately, so you might need to consider what you do for her next year- will you want to lamb her again and see what happens.
Beth
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Really sorry to hear about your bad day. Have you tried some neighbouring farms to see if they have any orphans/multibirths they can foster on to your poor ewe, they are often very grateful for some help with such cases. They can be given back once they are weaned.
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Sorry to hear about your day. I know nothing about sheep, but just wanted to send a hug down the wire.
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thanks for your comments and support folks, especially the hug ! The ewe is doing ok so far - fingers crossed
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I do feel for you countrygirl. We had a sad 24 hours too. One of our ewes had quads yesterday, one of which was stillborn, our first loss. Two of the remaining lambs were really strong and up on their feet in no time. The third was very small and had trouble getting up at all. We tubed him till this morning but he couldnt seem to keep the colostrum down and went down hill rapidly. We took him inside but he didnt make it. it was horrible seeing that little life ebb away.
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i iadine all mine its just bad luck .last yere i opend up the barn so they could lamb in comfort took 1s redey in to lamb did not hve a good lambing.lost some so this yere done it different my way .made the 2 rams go in latter so they would lamb week after easter lambd thersday 8th they naw lamb in a open field tall hedge sun warms up quick put bedding dawn when they get restlas iv had 32 up to today i think they are better with the less fuss and iff 1 dies youv done youre best to give them life .you have to switch off .iv onley been going 3 yeres i dont come from farming just had a go .i have 200 rare breed sheep 2 rams il xspand 50 everey yere iff alls well .so pick youre self up you may save 1 the next time and youv done youre bit .the lungs might have not been right you dont no