[ScotsGirl]

We had a set of Suffolk twins born today. Slightly traumatic as first lamb wasn't breathing but after a lot of CPR and massage I got her breathing. Unfortunately her little legs look a bit buckled. She came head first so guessing legs might have been a bit crunched up inside. She is very weak and although now standing the knee doesn't seem to straighten and the fetlock joint wasn't holding.


I have vet wrapped below the knee to help the fetlock joint but not sure if or how I should go above the knee to help her. Mum a first timer and not overly maternal. Her sister is now managing to feed but little sister isn't strong enough so bottling at moment. Had to bring in house under heat lamp as I don't think she will survive the night outside. She had hypothermia this morning but after an hour or so under lamp she was quite perky.


Hoping if I can get her strong enough she will fight for food like her sister.

[jaykay]

Suffolk lambs are a bit notorious for being floppy and slow to get going at the best of times.

I think this will sort out, as she 'un-crunches' and strengthens up - I'd be wary of vet-wrapping too much, or for too long, since her muscles won't get strengthening exercise if she's splinted too much.

[ScotsGirl]

I've never seen legs like it. She's 12 hours old now and can't stand up properly. I will unwrap and see what she's like in morning.  Thought it was unlikely they would strengthen naturally if she couldn't keep the joint I. The correct position.


Give me mules any day!

[jaykay]

That's makes sense.

[fsmnutter]

I just had a triplet kid on Wednesday, whose hock joints were flopping the wrong way, and I've had numerous lambs over the years that had wobbly joints when they first came out.
With a bit of time and support, the ligaments strengthen and straighten out, it does often seem long legs, multiple births where they've been twisted funny inside are more prone.
Supporting the lamb to stand will help weight to go through the legs and joints, and doing this several times a day will get them right.
Splinting or vetwrapping the lower end of the leg can be counterproductive as the leg then has a lot more weight swinging the joints around, so may be more difficult for the lamb to get the right way round!
My triplet kid from Wednesday already looks much more normal, so it can turn around quite quickly.
Hope that helps
Suzanne

[ScotsGirl]

So I take you are saying leave them? How long is safe to leave without feeding? I am trying to get her to suckle from mum but she is reluctant. Half heatedly looking but not sucking. I have fed formula about 300ml since yesterday lunch (expressed about 100 from mum first).


I don't want her to suddenly go down hill but hope if I leave a bit longer she might make more effort. Mum won't stand and she is a lump to turn over.  Lamb only had 50ml about 5am nothing since.

[fsmnutter]

Feeding wise it's a balance between getting the lamb hungry enough to want to suckle and not being too tired hungry and weak to try.
Worth supporting the lamb to try to get it to suckle, but topping up with tube or bottle 3-4 times a day once it's had a shot on mum.
Long as she had plenty colostrum, and 100ml from mum sounds like a good start for her, you can either use milk from mum (which will have the best energy and nutrients) or powdered stuff.
Bit of time and TLC should see her through, can take a bit of getting going particularly with the lack of oxygen if they took a while to breathe.
All the best with her