The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: elizasheep on February 14, 2016, 11:10:06 am
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hello, big problem, can you help?
We have 7 years lambing experience, including difficult births, badly presented lambs etc, so we know what to expect. Anyway.... Ewe scanned for twins, 1st lamb came out quickly and easily and is healthy. Second water bag came out after an hour, but no sign of a lamb followed it. The ewe was obviously expecting another one. We can't feel another lamb in there. No chance of a vet for a few hours at least, by which time we might have lost her if there is a dead lamb in there somewhere. Could the scanner and the ewe both be mistaken? Seems unlikely. She has given up trying for the moment, and wants her dinner. Any thoughts.
A bit later ... Second lot of after birth has now appeared. Ewe looks a bit miserable, but not poorly. Maybe she's just exhausted. I think we will have to wait for the vet and hope for the best.
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Well there isn't much you can do.... if there's no 2nd lamb there's no2nd lamb. If you have been inside her a shot of AB's Betamox LA) is all that's needed and all the vet would be able to do at this moment anyway. I would watch for afterbirth and monitor her. Scanners do get it wrong sometimes.
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Why would there be a second bag if theres no lamb? Have you examined here with her front end supported on a bale? Is she a very roomy ewe?
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We haven't tried to examine her with her front on a bale yet, I'm letting her rest for half an hour. She isn't particularly roomy. It's her second lambing btw. Will update later, thanks for the replies. No wifi in barn, so please excuse delayed reply.
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Stupid question really - has the ewe been in a pen from the start? ie No chance that she has dropped in a field before bringing her in?
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Depending on how early in the pregnancy the ewe was scanned she may have reabsorbed the second lamb if it wasn't viable for some reason.
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wouldn't the bag also have been re-absorbed?
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Sometimes the other lamb will be in the other horn of the uterus, and if there is a twist it can be hard to feel or expel. Can you feel something hard if you "bump" her belly with your hand, and can you feel your hand inside through the body wall? If you feel something hard in the belly it is likely the second lamb. If you can't feel your internal hand from the outside there is likely another lamb in the way.
Hopefully your vet will be able to help. If the lamb is still alive inside, it is unlikely to die from being left a few hours, as it will still have its umbilical oxygen and nutrients supply. If it is dead inside, it is unlikely to make the ewe that ill within a few hours either, so it should be ok waiting for the vet.
Did you have a thorough look at the afterbirths? If the scanner scanned twins, it is unlikely the second lamb (if it has died and become mummified) would be small enough within the after birth to miss, but could be worth checking for thickened creamy or whitish bits as sometimes you can have a small mummified foetus passed.
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Hello all and sorry for the late reply. Lambing has been a bit hectic. Thanks very much for all of your suggestions. Fsmnutter was partially right, the 2nd lamb was originally in one of the horns, but had broken through into the body cavity. It took 2 vets over an hour to find it. The more experienced vet said that she had never seen anything like it. It had been dead for some time, and the ewe had to be put to sleep. I am amazed that she was so bright and cheerful up until she lambed, and continued to eat and drink as normal afterwards. She just looked a little uncomfortable. Never ceases to amaze me how stoic they are. So I have an orphan Annie to feed for the time being. I'm glad that we took the ewe to the vet so quickly. Thanks again.
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Oh, a sad outcome for the ewe - but very well done realising something was wrong and getting her seen quickly. :thumbsup:
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Ah I am so sorry to hear that; :hug: I am glad that you did what was best for the ewe. On the plus side though at least you have gotten a ewe lamb out of her, so in a way her legacy lives on in the flock. All the best and keep us updated on how everything goes? :thumbsup:
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I am sorry for the loss of your ewe but glad of your educating post - hope little Anne is a fighter like her mum :fc: