The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: morri2 on April 24, 2012, 08:35:08 pm
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OK, I know I'm absolutely pants! ::) I've not been on the site for ages, and when I am its to ask for some much needed advice, so, really SORRY, ??? but can anyone shed some light on what's wrong with one of my ewes.
She's probably having a single lamb as she's not very big - due in about 4 weeks. She isn't eating very well, but will manage sheep nuts although leaves a few (she's in the barn in a pen at the moment so I can monitor what she's eating and keep an eye on her). Not eating any hay, picking at some cabbage leaves I gave her, and when in the field, which was up until yesterday, she had access to a Crystalyx high energy lick, prior to that it was a 'Lifeline Ewe and Lamb' lick.
She's been off colour for about 5 days, and now her breathing seems laboured, almost as if she's panting. No shakes, no scouring and she is moving about OK, although definitely weak. We've given her a long acting antibiotic jab two days ago and it made no noticeable difference. Teeth have been checked (front) and are fine and I have once caught her coughing up a sheep nut - anyone any idea what the problem might be??
Many thanks,
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Has she got good access to water, you don't mention it ?
Have you treated for worms and more importantly fluke ?
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Yes, to all.
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Don't assume a single lamb purely by her size, has she got good grass? Do you have a twin lamb drench or liquid life aid? Could be twin lamb disease, you need to keep her eating. How old is she?
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Having had a goat do the 'I'm pregnant and won't eat' thing, I found, by trial and error, that she would try the following:
Flaked maize
Mixed chicken corn
ReadiGrass or JustGrass (dried grass, not hay, sold for horses)
Molassed mixture (Flakey)
A couple of strands of ivy a day (no more, but this much seems to stimulate appetite)
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If they won't eat anything, even ivy, roll up,the leaves and poke them in between back teeth, they eat them then! But mind fingers, mines now bandaged! :-[
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Dixie, she's 8 years old, but (up until now) in good shape. She's been on good grass, not too lush. I had been suspecting twin lamb disease but the symptoms are very vague.
Jaykay ; I have some chicken corn and some ivy in the garden, so I'll give that a try in order to vary her now very limited diet!
Think I'll be down to the vets tomorrow for some drench.
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Sadly they get more problems as they get older, a drench will do her no harm but can help if it's twin lamb, the fact she's still eating is good, but remember as they get close to lambing space is limited for food, you may be worrying unnecessarily,,it may be shes just not got room for lots of food, keep an eye and us posted!
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Could be changing brand of lick is the problem. It is recommended that once pregnant ewes have started on Lifeline they should stay on it. The ewe's digestion adapts to absorb all the goodies in it. great when the girls have very little stomach capacity. However, this stopped me using it as I was worried about the ewes not having access to the tubs in their mothering pens. I had the opportunity to ask SAC Sheep Specialist John Vipond about this and he assured me that the warning only applies prior to giving birth. Now, after four seasons, I swear by Lifeline and recon that it encourages slippier amniotic fluids (easier deliveries) and better colostrum (watch out for sticky tails in the first 48 hrs).
For the Twin Lamb disease your vet will stock 20CMD to inject and Ketosaid or Ketol drench (polypropylene glycol I think) With luck you will save the ewe. I recommend keeping the drench in stock as a tonic for any ewe that shows signs of going off her grub.
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Well I've now given three doses of twin lamb drench (she's to have 4 a day) - not a great deal of improvement though, still picking at the ewe nuts but has also had a little nibble at the hay and has eaten a bread roll - with gusto, which is good. I've also noted she's been drinking a bit too. Still looks very depressed though. I've not actually seen her lie down at all today, she just stands with her head down.
I'll report again on progress after a few more doses of treatment. :wave: