The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Hillview Farm on March 14, 2016, 07:51:40 am
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So poor Rhubarb who prolapsed two weeks before she was due went into labour Saturday night.
Undid the back end of the harness and left her to it under a watchful eye. I had a bad feeling then after a while saw a head and one foot. Put my hand in and she had what I believe to be ring womb. Very tight, leg stuck fast and I couldn't push it back in.
Got to the point of having to call the vet and as I was giving my address I finally got the leg! Second lamb was breech and quickly got it out.
So far no prolapse and I have two lovely lambs.
Oh and a very badly crushed hand from her straining And crushing me against her pelvis.
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Good result :thumbsup:
Bear in mind though, they tend to prolapse worse each year so consider culling or not breeding her next year .
She should be fine now :thumbsup:
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Glad to hear there was a good outcome! :) Fingers crossed, I've not had to deal with this yet.
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Well done - you and her both! :thumbsup:
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Glad to hear there was a positive outcome
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She is retiring after weaning and hopefully find her a lawn mower home.
This was my first experience of a prolapse and I hope it is my last.
Come home now to an unwell cat. Never ending :(
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So relieved for you both :thumbsup: :sheep:
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If the ewe managed to get a head and foot out she did not have ringwomb, just a big lamb to come. Some calciject may have helped her with slow labour.
I have delivered lambs in this position with one leg behind, as trying to get the head back in once fully out is nigh on impossible. It does need a good pull though...
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Delivering with one leg back is usually possible, depending on the size of the shoulders. Swales and Mules, and even Texels-out-of-Mules I've managed no bother, but the very chunky pure or near-pure Texels and Beltexes just might not come that way.
When you've got just a head you can usually push it back in, even when the head is very swollen, with lots of lube and patience. (And something to stop the ewe pushing back, if necessary.)
I don't think it's a good idea to push the lamb back in by the head if one front leg is back. You'd be pushing the backwards leg against the grain, I'd be worried about tearing the ewe. So if it won't come one-leg-only, you have to get your hand up alongside the lamb and pull the other foot forwards. The vet can give the ewe something to stop her contracting/pushing, which might be necessary.