Author Topic: Lambs after fluke - how to improve condition? (Read 2454 times)

Helen Wiltshire Horn · « **on:** November 11, 2016, 04:33:20 pm »

I am hoping that someone can give me some advice. 15 of this year's lambs (born March/April) have been grazing a mile or so away from my house on fairly wet pasture. They had been losing condition and scouring and so we used Combinex wormer suspecting fluke. Anyway, 5 or so continued scouring and lost a great deal of condition, so much that one died suddenly. I spoke to my vet who said that she thought the weight loss indicated fluke and so we treated with a flukecide again and there seems to be a considerable improvement in that none are now scouring. She suspected that they must have picked it up again following treatment. My question is how can I build up condition at this time of year? They are now back on my smallholding and are having hard feed once a day and are on the best grazing I have with a high energy bucket. A couple are still extremely thin and I want to put condition on them before the Winter. Owing to the long withdrawal on the flukecide I will be keeping them through the Winter and sending them off as hogget after they have had a bit of spring grass. They are not interested in hay at the moment. Any suggestions? I feel awful every time I see them and kick myself for not treating sooner but thought we had dealt with the issue by Combinexing them.
Helen

DartmoorLiz · « **Reply #1 on:** November 11, 2016, 04:56:09 pm »

Your story reminds me of my situation last year when I was convinced mine had fluke and duly treated to some but not total effect. Turned out they (possibly also) had barber pole worm which can have the same symptoms but does not cause squits. Only found out after the vet sent a FEC off for specialist analysis.

Hope your situation is not the same.

Sounds like you are doing all you can to fatten them up other than keeping them indoors.

CarolineJ · « **Reply #2 on:** November 11, 2016, 05:12:56 pm »

((((Helen)))) Don't beat yourself up too much, hard as it is - almost exactly the same thing happened to me this year, including losing the smallest one.

My sheep farming neighbour suggested giving them a Cosecure bolus and the remaining ones are now thriving. They're also getting fed on an 18% pellet twice a day and have Crystalyx blocks, but they're not on hay yet.

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #3 on:** November 11, 2016, 05:18:39 pm »

Building up condition can take quite a while after a knock like this. I'd be inclined to split the hard feed into two feeds a day. Is the field in which they'll overwinter a sheltered one?

Anke · « **Reply #4 on:** November 11, 2016, 08:42:50 pm »

From my experience it will be extremely difficult to get these lambs to grow on well - their liver will have been damaged extensively by fluke and absorption of nutrients may always be compromised. I had one I nursed back to health a few years ago - but she never grew properly, scoured intermittently and was always on the thin side. Her immune system was also weak, as I found her last autumn dead one morning from suspected pasteurella - despite vaccination cover...

but I would definitely drench them with a mineral drench (or a bolus as someone suggests), and /or give a few doses of Combivit as well. If money is no object - will they eat readigrass?

Backinwellies · « **Reply #5 on:** November 12, 2016, 07:37:11 am »

Livers do regenerate

twizzel · « **Reply #6 on:** November 12, 2016, 07:52:32 am »

I would bring them in to pick up, then once they look a bit better put them out in a sheltered field. Not much goodness in the grass at the moment so for a few weeks they may be better in on good hay and cake.

Helen Wiltshire Horn · « **Reply #7 on:** November 12, 2016, 12:56:05 pm »

Thanks to you all. They are in a 2 acre paddock with a field shelter. I will try and split the hard feed and see about giving them some hay in the next week or so. I did give them a mineral drench before the vet said that she thought that it was fluke as I wondered if it was some sort of deficiency. There has been a considerable improvement in a week. Not necessarily in condition but they are looking much perkier and none are now scouring.
Helen

Bramblecot · « **Reply #8 on:** November 12, 2016, 02:32:13 pm »

Helen, I have had a very similar experience this year. All my ewe lambs are great but the ram lambs much as you describe. I suspect barber pole worm in one paddock. Picking up now but will not be away before Spring.