[colliewoman]

Have just got off the phone to the vets regarding Tarragon, my ewe who had a horrible labour 5 days ago and has retained her afterbirth.
I have been told to pop my gloved hand in and remove it manually if possible.
I always thought this was a bad idea 
Have been told that if the cervix has closed, then just keep up the pain relief and ABX but if still open to gently remove said placenta.

Would very much appreciate your views

[MrsJ]

Gosh, don't know.  I always thought it was best not to go in unless necessary but not sure I would argue with the vet. Hope someone else comes along with some better advice.

[in the hills]

Sorry colliewoman, too much of a novice to give a view.

When I was finding out all I could about lambing, did find an American Soay site that referred to retained afterbirth (more than a few hours). It said to tie up if trailing on the ground, not to cut off as the weight would help it to pass and to call a vet. Guess youve done that. Does your vet deal routinely with farm animals? If so guess that you will have to take his advice or maybe trawl the net and see what general advice is given and if it matches with what you were told you may feel more comfortable about doing it.

Hope someone with necessary experience sees your post.

[robert waddell]

does she have a rotten smell at her back end

[colliewoman]

Nope, not rotten smell. It LOOKS horrible, but no smell as yet. 

[Fleecewife]

Sorry Colliewoman I have no experience of this, only ones which eventually come away of their own accord.  When you say she is trailing the placenta, how much is hanging out?  Could it be caught up on the wool rather than mostly being still in the uterus?
I would be very worried about going in to scrape it out manually, with no experience and no idea of what's actually going on in there, in case it leads to heavy bleeding.  Perhaps the vet is thinking that it has all detached inside ok but just not been expelled. 

[bazzais]

Before you find the solution to the problem has the ewe been given any anti biotics yet?  If not a long acting pen and strep would be a good idea to help stop infection.

We have had a few that have gone five days without expelling, some have smelt quite rotten - but I have never yet had to 'go in' and remove anything.  Just made sure that the ewe has been on a course of anti biotics.  I think one of our this year went for at least 7 days - then on the day when I was goin to 'go-in' she had expelled.

Good luck

Baz

[colliewoman]

It is definately still coming out from inside, I had a good look earlier.
She said if I can get my hand in there still I should be able to feel the 'buttons' (cant remember what she called them- cotyledons?? summat like that) and that they might come away if I was gentle.
I don't want to go against the vets advice, but this just doesn't feel right to me I'm terrified I will cause her more problems than help.
She said to make sure I go and get some gloves from her before I start as it is going to stink to high heavens

[colliewoman]

Before you find the solution to the problem has the ewe been given any anti biotics yet?  If not a long acting pen and strep would be a good idea to help stop infection.

We have had a few that have gone five days without expelling, some have smelt quite rotten - but I have never yet had to 'go in' and remove anything.  Just made sure that the ewe has been on a course of anti biotics.  I think one of our this year went for at least 7 days - then on the day when I was goin to 'go-in' she had expelled.

Good luck

Baz

Yep she has been kept dosed with long acting antibiotics and painkillers

[bazzais]

Its always worth a tickle at the back to help

Baz

[colliewoman]

Erm, where abouts at the back? Are we talking about a lube job here or not

[bazzais]

Maybe skip the painkillers though as it not going to give relief (I could be wrong) - maybe painkillers is whats stopping her from having the ability to push and expell?  Dunno?

Always lube up

[bazzais]

And dont worry about it yet

[colliewoman]

Thankies!

Off to get another giant tube of KY (the animal stuff makes my hands react ) goodness knows what job the chemist must think I have

[bazzais]

A least the aversion to certain lubricants swings the right way.

I can only imagine the argument of bringing out a bottle of sheep obseometric lube in the bedroom. 'well lambing is over, be a shame to waste it' - lol

I think I've gone to far . .

eheehe

Yeh just keep an eye on her, keep her pen clean, keep her on LA biotics - sure she will pass it soon.