Author Topic: Newborn lamb can't stand (Read 13141 times)

Jiddies · « **on:** August 03, 2013, 08:41:02 pm »

We had a lamb born yesterday morning, a twin, and it can't stand. It wasn't that cold when it was born, and the other twin is up and running around fine. This one was trying to stand up and couldn't so we gave it a feed of colostrum and put it in the heater for a couple of hours to warm it up. It still wouldn't stand so we took it home and fed it again. It looks healthy enough, is very vocal, sits with its head up and tries to stand but it's legs don't work. I had it taking a couple of wobbly steps last night but this morning they're not working again. They go all floppy and it's like he can't remember they're there.
Any suggestions?

Hillview Farm · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2013, 08:46:15 pm »

Personally call a vet ASAP and if needed take it to them!

Jiddies · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2013, 09:08:40 pm »

I can't get him to a vet today, and I don't have any time in the next week to bottle feed him as I have school. I need him to be better by tonight else he will be put down!

Hillview Farm · « **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2013, 10:01:56 pm »

Have you spoken to a vet?

SteveHants · « **Reply #4 on:** August 03, 2013, 10:34:59 pm »

I had one like that once - massive single. Was tubing him his mothers milk so was having to milk her off every 4 hours. Finally got it to stand/suck by day two, wherupon it promptly died.

Jiddies · « **Reply #5 on:** August 03, 2013, 10:56:51 pm »

He's walking now! I think it took him a while to wake up properly this morning. He walks really funny, with stiff limbs though, and can only manage a few steps but I fed him standing up so fingers crossed!

mmu · « **Reply #6 on:** August 04, 2013, 08:56:38 am »

Hope he makes it, could just be a slow starter, or maybe he was cramped up inside for a while before he was born. We've had this with one leg before, but not all 4. Good luck!

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #7 on:** August 04, 2013, 09:22:44 am »

I've had 'flopbot' lambs before - just took a while to get the strength to work their legs. In one case, he took 10 days. But all came right in the end. It could be a lack of some nutrient in utero - as a twin, perhaps the other got all the goodies and this one missed out. It's a late lamb, perhaps an unexpected lambing? In which case, perhaps the ewe didn't get the cake and/or mineral supplements she'd have got if the lambing were planned and expected? Shortage of selenium would be my first guess, but it could be any of the nutrients required by the ewe and lamb in utero. Anyway, glad to hear he's up and walking now.