[mebnandtrn]

Twins born this morning between my visits. Got up there and one being licked and eventually fed naturally. One cold and wet. Mother gave a couple of licks and then ignored him. we took him inside, warmed him and he now has had colustrum every 2 hours. total of 200ml colostrum in 12 hours. But he seems to struggle to stay warm, barely lifts his head and cannot stand. it seems a long time without standing, given he is well fed and warm inside. Any ideas about when we should be worried and if so any solutions?

[Marches Farmer]

When you say he struggles to stay warm have you actually taken his temperature?  They frequently shiver for the first day or so - maybe cold or shock from a difficult birth.  Is he under a lamp or in a jacket in a warm place?  Have you checked him for eye, anus problems, etc.?  If he had a long or difficult birth he could well lie down for most of his first day or so - heavy going for a small newborn.  On the other hand the ewe may have rejected him because she picked up on some underlying problem you can't see.  You can only do your best and not beat yourself up if he doesn't get going.

[shep53]

colostrum recommendations are 50ml per kg  per feed  ,  and 200ml per kg in the first 24hrs 

[mebnandtrn]

I was told to put a finger in his mouth, if it feels warm he is warm. After feeding he is warm, but after half hour his mouth and tongue feel cooler, almost cold. He has no other symptoms, so hopefully might be ok? based on the amount needed he is a bit down on colostrum, just given him lots in a bottle and some via stomach tube as per phone advice from the vet. Will cross fingers. really dont want more deaths, lost 5 so far this year with 2  lots of quads. its been a year to forget so far.

When you say he struggles to stay warm have you actually taken his temperature?  They frequently shiver for the first day or so - maybe cold or shock from a difficult birth.  Is he under a lamp or in a jacket in a warm place?  Have you checked him for eye, anus problems, etc.?  If he had a long or difficult birth he could well lie down for most of his first day or so - heavy going for a small newborn.  On the other hand the ewe may have rejected him because she picked up on some underlying problem you can't see.  You can only do your best and not beat yourself up if he doesn't get going.

[shep53]

well fed and warm he should have stood by now

[fsmnutter]

Sounds like he still feels cold between feeds so likely still not up to proper body temperature.
Look up the moredun lamb box online, they have produced lots of information that will explain the best way to warm lambs is an all around heat. If not warming up, often a heat lamp is too little. They need either hot water bottles or the like surrounding them, underneath and on top, or ideally like the moredun box, a box with warm air from a blow heater for example.
Continue feeding the colostrum every couple of hours because it will help warm from the inside. If you have twin lamb drench or lamb kick start or similar, a squirt will give some energy to help with warming, once warm, then the energy will help with standing.
If still very cold and weak, an intraperitoneal glucose injection can give energy, and if warmed first, gives direct warming of the lamb as well. If you haven't seen it before, your vet should be able to show you how to do this.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

If he was cold, and don't pounce on me for saying this, but you could have given him a tiny wee drop of brandy in his colostrum, I'm not sure it would work now, but would have been worth a try when you first fed him. I really hope that he makes it and all the best with everything, I am sorry I can't be of more help! 

[Sbom]

Brandy won't physically warm him though....
he sounds like he needs a constant heat source to get him properly warmed through. If you have a heat lamp pop him under and turn him every half hour....like a sausage 

[mebnandtrn]

stomach tubed him and he nearly stood up, before falling over and getting discouraged. I think he was simply not getting enough food from sucking. Or he had too much brandy!!!!

[Backinwellies]

Personally I would stomach tube, take temp with thermometer, and keep in lamb warming box. (Last year we made on of these using a fan heater under a dog crate with cover over. This combination saved at least 2 legless lambs last year. .   

[Hellybee]

Give him a warm box, and once he starts to perk up, cwch him up on your lap. I remember one lamb, came in cold and flat, put him in a box by the rad, Baz tubed him, we also let another little lamb curl up with him,  after a while we spotted a little head.  Sat him on sofa with us, cat came and sat right by him, something quite therapeutic about the cat being about, after a while of of a little massage, n cajoling he got up.  And never looked back.  Just keep fluids going in, maybe a little glucose?   And keep build that little flame up, good luck xxxx

[Hellybee]

One particular point that I will never ever forget is when the little lamb started to toddle about, dear dear Oliver stood on my forearm, bouncing up and down with such joy that the little one was feeling better.


This is our first Lambing without our precious Ollie dog, he cleaned rejected babies and absolutely adored them, oh how we miss him

[SallyintNorth]

Hot water bottle wrapped in a towel or something woolly underneath, straw or woolly jumper over the top, makes a good makeshift all-round heat setup.  Bottom oven of Rayburn is best, of course 

[mebnandtrn]

sadly he went down hill in the end and died.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

sadly he went down hill in the end and died.

awwwww I am so sorry to hear that, it must be awful for you. You did the best you could and that is the most important thing I hope that the rest of lambing goes well for you and all the best with everything