[Lostlambs]

I have a shetland twin lamb that had a pretty rough start. When I found them he looked like he had not cleared his airway good and was laying on his side twitching. Got him cleared and breathing and got colostrum in him for the first few days. Switched him to bottle as mom rejected him eventually as he had poor suck reflex and trouble holding himself up. He's now 1 week old and was doing better but last few days seems to be losing his standing and walking more every day. He's eating good, has had vit A&D and E which we do here.Anybody might have some ideas for me? Thanks LL

[Pedwardine]

Hi LL. What do you mean by "losing his standing and walking more every day". Possibly lack of understanding may be why you haven't had any replies? If I have lambs with breathing problems from the outset I give them some antibiotics. Don't know if that helps.

[Alicenz]

maybe you mean losing his capability of standing and walking  and its getting worse.  Check re arthritis from navel contamination when he was really little.  If it is that he needs antibiotics or it will get worse.  Make sure he does not have pneumonia, and if unsure worth checking with a vet.

[Alicenz]

sorry brief reply... in a hurry ... I meant to say good luck!

[Lostlambs]

Sorry I sometimes don't get back to the computer till next morning here. I mean he is very unsteady on his feet and has trouble getting up. Mostly lays on his side not with his legs tucked under.If he falls over has a very hard time getting  up, like a newborn . I started him on antibiotics and he seems to be better this morning. I have him in the house as it's still well below freezing at night here. I also gave him a vitamin B He is walking better but seems to get very shaky before his next feeding. No sign of swelling or heat near the navel.Thanks LL

[jaykay]

Joint ill gets in via the navel but doesn't necessarily cause swelling there. That's the thing that affects joints.

Good to hear he's improving on antibiotics.

Shaky as he comes up to next feed time suggests low blood sugar, which means he needs feeding more often.

[Alicenz]

Hi Jay Kay good point, and if he isnt getting enough feed will be very weak. How often are you feeding him? I would be giving him 5 lamb milk feeds a day rather than giving 3 big feeds as many people do.  Does sound like athritis/ navel ill though as well. this gets better ussually with antibiotics within a week or so, ussually you notice a very quick change Make sure the antibiotics are the correct ones that you are giving and that it is on them for long enough. Good luck.

[jaykay]

How's things LostLambs - and how's your little Shetland fella?

[sh3ph3rd]

..... was laying on his side twitching..... he had poor suck reflex and trouble holding himself up. He's now 1 week old and was doing better but last few days seems to be losing his standing and walking more every day.

I'm no expert nor even very experienced, but just from that brief description, do you think maybe he has brain damage? You didn't sound sure that it was a clogged airway, and from the sounds of it he's been sub-par all the way so far in terms of basic motor functions. He has some symptoms in common with an oxygen starved bub.

[Lostlambs]

Sorry for the no reply my computer was down. I lost this lamb last Monday, finally had to put him out of misery-he was struggling so hard to breath with stiff back legs that he couldn't use.Real strange was the loss the day before of his twin that was doing really good with Mom, Looked poorly in the evening then went straight downhill and was gone by noon. The other lambs seem fine,maybe this ewe didn't pass immunity, was very good Mom

[sh3ph3rd]

Sorry to hear it. I didn't check back because the automated updates didn't work, thought there were no replies. Possibly bears checking into, like getting lab work done, if you're worried enough or if it happens again.

[Pedwardine]

Sorry to hear that LL. Especially the loss of a seemingly healthy twin.