[morri2]

Can anyone help me with this problem please:  My ewe who lambed yesterday tea time still has the torn umbilical cord showing so I assume she's not cleansed.  The lamb is absolutely fine, but small.  I am wondering if there is a dead one still inside. This is a young ewe (2nd lamb) and no history of this type of thing.  She has eaten some nuts, not much interested in hay, though she was eating it last night, and has very loose droppings - looks more like cow pats than sheep poo!!   I will ensure she has anti biotics if nothing appears within the next couple of hours, but is there any way of knowing whether she has another lamb inside her other than having to stress her out by carrying out an internal examination? 

[Rosemary]

Personally, I'd get the vet.

[woollyval]

Unless there is a dead lamb inside she will have closed up...and probably has anyway... This means internal exam could do more damage than good, although you could have a feel with clean fingers...do not pull cords etc! So unless straining still and looking right off colour the thing to do is jab of long acting ab's and keep fingers crossed.....if at all worried get vet

[OhLaLa]

I'd call the vet. Please keep us posted on how she gets on.

[morri2]

Thanks for the replies.  Called out vet yesterday afternoon as poor ewe took a turn for the worst and developed horrendous watery diaorrhea - buckets of it, and went to look really ill.  Her little lamb, who wasn't very lively to start with also started looking weak as she clearly was not getting fed properly.  There was no second lamb, the afterbirth had been retained, but the vet did not think that was a problem as it was still quite early.  Thought she might have a touch of pneumonia and possibly salmonella, for which he is testing - takes two days for results.  Meantime he gave very strong anti biotic and diarolyte (not sure of spelling) to rehydrate her.  Had to feed the lamb with a bottle (mad dash to surgery before they shut to get lamb milk), to top her up.

This morning, they are both  much better.  No more plip plops (at the moment at least) the ewe is eating and the lamb is feeding nicely, and even trying to do some little jumps, bless her!! Cord has disappeared so I think the afterbirth has gone too.

[OhLaLa]

Thanks for the update, glad to read they are picking up.

Did she lamb inside or in field?

[shrekfeet]

Morri, glad to hear no further problems at the moment. Get some ivy that's growing up the trees and give that to her. They love it and it is the perfect tonic post lambing

[morri2]

Ohlala, she lambed in the shed, but only just, it was nearly the field.  Clean shed, only one other ewe and lamb in there. The salmonella thing is a bit of a mystery, if that's what it turns out to be.  Heaven knows where she picked it up from.

Shrek, you've been quiet for a bit! Good to know you're still about - how are you're Dorsets??   Ivy, yes, got some in the wood.  I'll go and get a bunch this afternoon.  Thanks for that.

[andywalt]

Bit horrendous when troubles strike but you did well and got it all sorted, glad there back on track


andy