Author Topic: Retained afterbirth, poorly ewe (Read 1367 times)

InadvertentShepherdess · « **on:** April 08, 2021, 05:24:33 pm »

My oldest ewe Matilda, gave birth to an absolute whopper of a single ram lamb yesterday. When she hadn’t passed the afterbirth after three hours I called the vet out. She examined the ewe to check there were no more lambs in there and said the lamb had done a bit of damage, but nothing serious. Otherwise empty. She had an injection to expel the afterbirth, some pain relief and some pen and strep, the last of which we have repeated today.

As far as I can tell she still hasn’t expelled the afterbirth and she’s just not right. She’s lying down all the time and her lamb has to really harass her for food although the lamb seems very sprightly.

She’s eating and chewing the cud, but she’s so dopey and sleeping so much I’m very worried about her. Is there anything else I should be doing or is she just recovering after a bit of a traumatic birth?

All advice gratefully received.

cans · « **Reply #1 on:** April 08, 2021, 05:33:14 pm »

Phone call to vet for quick chat

twizzel · « **Reply #2 on:** April 08, 2021, 09:08:43 pm »

Yeah give the vet a quick ring if she’s off colour could indicate infection or a tear. I had a ewe hang onto her afterbirth for a full week after lambing this year

she was fine in the end but was covered with antibiotics until she cleansed properly.

Backinwellies · « **Reply #3 on:** April 09, 2021, 07:57:35 am »

I have just finished lambing 12 ewes ..... only ever saw 2 afterbirths ..... something I never worry about .... they get eaten or just trampled into straw.

However if ewe is off colour post lambing then pen strep and metacam for 3 days would be my normal treatment.

If no improvement today (after last treatment) then yes ring the vet and discuss what next.