[Hillview Farm]

As always one of my favourite ewes had a vaginal prolapse two weeks from her due date. I put a spoon in and a harness on top. This is my first prolapse.

I had the vet out that day anyway so he had a look. Said leave the harness on for 24 hours then just have the spoon.

Of course I hadn't tied it tight enough and a few days later she had popped it out again. Tied it really tight. Few days later,  spoon still in position but she had prolapsed under the spoon. I've put the harness back on top and all is well!

We are now under a week from her due date. Big udder,  seems very happy and today is my last day at work so hopefully all being well I can be there when she lambs.

I'm worried about a lamb bed prolapse  after shes lambed and also if I'm not there when she lambs with both spoon and harness on if she'll lamb okay?  I know people say they can lamb with them on but with both?

Obviously I'll do everything possible to be there when she does pop. Safe to say she'll retire this year.

[fsmnutter]

She "should" lamb ok with harness and/or spoon. Personally I would use one or the other but prefer the harness as not poking and irritating sensitive tissues, potentially risking infection.
If you can take the spoon out without her prolapsing, then do.
Uterine prolapse may or may not happen afterwards, frequently vaginal/cervical prolapses lamb fine and with no post lambing prolapse, and plenty uterine prolapaes are not preceded by a vaginal prolapse, but you would be keeping a close eye on her anyway so would catch it if she did have one.
And retirement is a good plan as she may do it again.

[Marches Farmer]

I prefer a harness.  I consider the spoon both uncomfortable and an excellent route for infection to track into the body.  The body will change shape as the lambs line up for lambing and several of mine have lambed down on their own.  If you're around and notice distinct hollows in front of her pelvis this has probably happened.  I take off the harness as soon as the water bag appears or she's clearly in the final stage of labour.  I've always culled prolapsed ewes and we've not seen the problem for several years.

[Hillview Farm]

I would be more than happy to take the spoon out but I am unsure exactly how to correctly fit a harness.

Anyone up for the challenge of explaining?

[fsmnutter]

There is usually a loop that goes round the neck with a strap that goes along the back. Then a loop that goes round each leg to hold the hole of the harness over the vulva, so the ewe can poo and pee through the gaps.
Tighten all the straps til it sits tight.
I suspect as you had it on over the top you would have it fairly correct already.

[Hillview Farm]

Exactly how it is fitted. I read That if it's not fitted exactly right they'll continue to prolapse.

Thank you I will remove spoon tomorrow as I'll be there to keep a closer eye. I find the muck gets a little stuck and clear it if there is a build up.

[Bionic]

We used a harness and it was successful BUT we must have had the harness on a bit tight so it caused some sores where the straps rubbed. It wasn't anything serious but I did feel bad about it.

So I would suggest that you just check every day to make sure that its tight enough but comfortable.