Author Topic: pet lambs (Read 3736 times)

Jamie12 · « **on:** May 11, 2015, 08:02:02 am »

After a successful first lambing, I was left with one pet lamb. Having plenty of artificial milk, an empty poly tunnel and only one lamb I decided to take four spare ewe lambs from a friend.

One bought in lamb became very bloated like, but wasn't off her milk, etc. Now a few seem to be developing scour. I'm wearing leggings and gloves, bottles and bottle rack is washed daily and they have had no contact with my flock at all (which are all fine). Also one appears have a small spot like thing on her lip, am I right in thinking it may have orf?. Local animal health person at agricultural store was most unhelpful, just shrugged and said well they are pets!.

I've made up a home made electrolyte mix, similar to what we use for calves and I've been giving them sine veleron. Is there any other ideas I can try!.

They are charging about fairly happy, I'm just annoyed with myself!. Serves me right for buying in pet lambs

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2015, 09:50:49 am »

Coccidiosis? Spot could be orf - I suggest spraying with a/b spray and seeing how it goes.

Porterlauren · « **Reply #2 on:** May 11, 2015, 10:16:54 am »

Your last few words pretty much sum it up!

Jamie12 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 11, 2015, 11:17:53 am »

99% conviced the spot is off, normal terramycin be okay? Rearing calves is much easier

Hellybee · « **Reply #4 on:** May 11, 2015, 12:40:35 pm »

Plenty of good hay for them to browse

Anke · « **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2015, 04:08:01 pm »

If they have smelly diarrhoea most likely coccidiosis - Vecoxan (quite pricey, see if you can either get a few doses from the vet or a friendly neighbour) will sort it out.

Me · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2015, 06:52:14 pm »

Just to boost my popularity:

You cannot diagnose the cause of diarrhoea by smellyness levels! The OP has not even said how old the lambs are so while cocci may be right it is jumping to a conclusion

Orf is a virus. Antibacterial preparations will not kill it. I have seen thousands of lambs with Orf who have not been given any antibiotics and were all fine. In the rare event of serious secondary infection then antibiotics will be beneficial

Hellybee · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2015, 08:24:26 pm »

What colour is poo? If its brown and a little gloopy they need more fibre

or if dark like Me says Cocci

Jamie12 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 12, 2015, 08:30:02 am »

Lambs are a week old, some a day or two older.

Poo isn't dark, so can't imagine it being cocci?. Poo is light in colour, returning more normal now and not as running. More yellowy than brown,

Me · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2015, 01:48:13 pm »

Cocci affects sheep 4 weeks plus usually

Hellybee · « **Reply #10 on:** May 12, 2015, 02:28:35 pm »

Just make sure they're tails won't get stuck to bums, I'm sure it will pass if you worried that they're losing fluid s you could always put a few ml electrolyte in a feed. Have they got hay to mouthe?

Old Shep · « **Reply #11 on:** May 12, 2015, 09:04:11 pm »

Runny poos in lambs can have many causes - milk too hot for example, milk made up too strong etc. Do they have some hay to nibble on? They won't need much but it might help. Are they looking poorly? Or is it just normal sticky lamb poo that is more noticeably to you because they are pets? If they seem bright and happy then

I wouldn't worry too much (where'd the horse come from???)

I would spray the orf with terramycin ( OK I know it shouldn't make any difference in vet theory, but in practice it does clear it up much faster - just my humble experience)