[Jode]

We have a Greyface Dartmoor ewe who we treated for Twin Lamb Disease ten days ago. She gave birth to twin ewe lambs a week later on the 24th April - so the lambs are now five days old. She has gone downhill again today. Came into the barn from the paddock with her lambs and has stayed in there all day. Had a little diarrhea this morning and I just thought she'd eaten too much concentrate. She hasn't eaten much (nibbled a little hay) today. She has constant access to a feed block, hay, and soaked alpha beet but isn't touching any of it. The lambs were slow to feed initially (though did feed on their birth day) and we did tube feed them both on the second day because they were looking a little thin and were lethargic compared to other lambs born on the same day. They are bright and lively today but still looking a bit dipped at the sides. Mum is walking very stiffly and seems reluctant to let them feed. We have given more twin lamb drench and calciject but I also suspect mastitis. We tipped her and checked the udder and it is quite strange, not so much hard but like a separate lump - very difficult to describe. There is milk but udder isn't round and bulging like the other ewes. Didn't feel particularly warm. The lambs fed hungrily and the tissue around the teats looked a little red but nothing alarming. But I haven't seen mastitis in a ewe before! We gave her 6.5ml of Betamox LA as that's what we had, just in case it is mastitis. She picks up after the twin lamb drench and calciject (I read that it can return after birth). Any advice/suggestions would be gratefully received.

[Porterlauren]

If it's twin lamb use Ketosaid, its the best thing there is. Also try to tempt her to eat with some ivy.

If it's mastitis, then betamox l.a and metacam is best.

If she has had twin lamb, she may just be low on milk, maybe top up the lambs for a couple of days, get her eating well. The thing is if they are low on milk, it can lead to mastitis as the lambs hang off them too much chewing the teats.

[Backinwellies]

As I said on Facebook speak to your vet.

[Jode]

Thank you. Lambs are feeding this morning and she was nibbling on hay. Will keep a close eye and will of course call vet if no improvement. Vet is not first point of call as I have found other sheep people to be really helpful and most have walked our path already. Vet great if we need specific drugs but at  at least £120 every time he comes out I would rather seek advice first. We are watching and treating. And learning

[Backinwellies]

Why don't you take sheep to vets?  No call out fee.  That is normal round here.

[devonlady]

£40 call out fee from my vet here in south Devon. Change your vet. and tell them why

[Me]

Don't know why you are so angry devonlady vets are in business to make money and can charge what they like.

Of course people are entitled to change vets on cost alone but Jode does not say what was involved in the £120 fee (probably more than just a call out, I doubt many vets would call, examine an animal, correct dystocias, administer drugs/treatments and charge as little as £40 and stay in business for long - call an emergency plumber for an eye opening/eye watering comparison to a comparatively unskilled trade). 

Different vets do charge varying amounts for apparently similar procedures and you have to cut your cloth to fit, however, often the cheaper ones are less well equipped in some way which can affect the outcomes for your animals or they make up the lower visit fees with higher drug fees.   

[shep53]

Not always easy to change vets , mine  1hr away    next nearest 11/2 hrs away  used to use a vet 2hrs ( including  1/2 hr on ferry ) away