| Notes from the 2008 NHSWGA Annual Lambing Clinic |
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by Thelma Curtis
The 2008 lambing clinic began at the Gilford Community Center with a discussion led by Dr Freya Moskowitz DVM from the Henniker Veterinary Hospital and supplemented by Jeff Keyser, Shepherd at Ramblin' Vewe Farm, Gilford NH. PREGNANCY AND LAMBING IN THE EWE Normal pregnancy: Pregnancy lasts 5 months (145-150 days), so document breeding dates if you know them. Feeding: Increase grain 4-6 weeks prior to lambing. Use grain with a higher protein level. Start with1/4 lb per day and increase every few days until you reach 1 lb per 100 lb body weight. In general sheep need little or no grain in spring, summer and fall - just grass and hay. Always provide a vitamin/mineral supplement, salt (if not in the supplement), water, and hay. Don't use cattle/goat feed as they may contain too much copper for sheep. Pregnancy detection: 1. Ballotment at greater than 3 months (not fully reliable), 2. Radiographs at 75-90 days and/or Ultrasound the abdomen at 35 - 120 days, 3. Hormone testing (not completely accurate, pricey) 4. Crude signs such as failure to return to heat cycle, enlarging abdomen, mammary gland development. Housing: Keep on pasture as much as possible. May feed separately or with other ewes. Prepare a stall or ‘jug' for birthing / post parturition for monitoring, safety, and bonding of the ewe with her lambs. Veterinary care: De-worming / fecal testing: De-worm about 4 weeks prior to lambing. Vaccines: Keep all animals up to date on yearly Rabies, Clostridium CD and T 4 weeks prior to lambing. Also, you may give T/BOSE if the shepherd chooses. Shearing: May do this prior to lambing for cleanliness. Can also clip hind end around tail and hind legs. Do not shear/trim feet any later than 4 weeks prior to lambing due to stress on ewe. Within 0-3 weeks prior to lambing you may see udder development, relaxing pelvic ligaments, vulvar swelling/relaxing with colorless mucous discharge. Normal Parturition - 3 stages Stage 1 - Restlessness, getting up and down, pawing lasting 1-4 hours. Ends with rupture of fetal membranes, usually a clear fluid is visible. Stage 2 - 30 min - 2 hours, includes contractions and lambing Stage 3 - 8-12 hours, Placentas passed should equal the number of lambs born. The ewe may ingest placentas before you see them. Normal Post-Parturition The ewe cleans lamb then lamb stands, and begins to suckle. Snip, dip, and strip: Snip the umbilical cord, dip in weak iodine solution, and strip the ewe's teat to push waxy plug and prime for suckling. Lamb must get colostrums within the 1 st 4 hours and continue getting it for 12-24 hours. Lamb normally begins suckling within 1/2 hour after birth. Keep ewe and lamb in jug for 1-3 days. Ewe will have a thick odor free discharge from her vulva for up to 3 weeks. Lamb Care
Most Common Problems (or.. When you might want to call the vet!) During Pregnancy:Pregnancy toxemia (Ketosis) usually occurs within 6 weeks prior to parturition due to insufficient nutrition or decreased feed intake or often when ewe has more than one fetus. Hypocalcemia (Milk Fever) seen with low calcium level, within 4 weeks prior to parturition and often seen with pregnancy toxemia. Both of these have similar symptoms and may be reduced with proper feeding (increased grain as above). If caught early, treat with propylene glycol and calcium supplementation, if the ewe is already ‘down’ she will likely need veterinary care. Vaginal prolapse usually occurs within 3 weeks prior to parturition. Possible causes are prior episode, hypocalcemia or pregnancy toxemia, hereditary, or obesity. With severe straining, this can also cause prolapsed rectum. Recommend: Do Not Rebreed! Abortion: Usually occurs in final 2 months of pregnancy. Many causes include stress, toxins, nutrition, heredity, and infection.
At Parturition
Post Parturition Mertritis (inflamed/infected uterus)/Vaginitis (inflamed/infected vaginal space) usually due to retained placenta or difficult pregnancy. Swollen vaginal area and/or watery brown-red fluid that may have a foul odor occur. Ewes may appear otherwise normal or extremely ill with high temperature. Penicillin may be helpful. If not, consult a vet. Lamb Acceptance/Orphan Lambs: The best way for a ewe to accept a lamb is to place her own birthing fluid on the lamb (or another lamb you want the ewe to adopt). If no ewe is available you must bottle feed. Remember colostrum for 1 st 12-24 hours. Either strip the ewe or buy frozen colostrums (approx 4-8 oz every 3-4 hours). Milk replacer should be about 20% protein and 20% fat fortified with Vitamins A, E, and D. Also provide creep feeding. Common Problems with Lambs: Hypothermia (low temperature) and hypoglycemia are very common. Keep lambs warm and fed. If needed, provide a safe heat source. You can monitor with rectal temps. A quick energy source is given by putting syrup on their gums to increase sugar levels. Diarrhea can be caused by parasites (coccidian), bacteria, and viruses. Septicemia (whole body infection) is usually due to not receiving colostrum or an infected umbilicus. Entropion (inverted eyelid) is when the eyelid rolls inward causing eye irritation. Pneumonia often presents with coughing, nasal discharge, depression, decreased appetite, and increased rectal temperature. OTHER When you call the Veterinarian:
Be sure to report the primary problem (ex: straining, not eating, swollen udder, etc.) and the current general condition of the animal. Report the due date if known. Report the status: better, worse or staying the same. If you have a thermometer, take rectal temperature Things to keep in mind: Lambs are more sensitive to sickness, so they usually need more immediate treatment if not doing well. Also, when any sheep are ‘down' and not getting up, the survival rate is poor.
Items to keep on hand for lambing: After the discussion, we adjourned to the Farm where Suffolk and Targhee lambs were in abundance. Correcting an inverted eyelid, docking and tagging were a few of the things Jeff demonstrated. A big THANK YOU to Dick Persons, owner and Jeff Keyser, Shepherd of Ramblin' Vewe Farm for hosting this year's clinic.
photo by S. Bailey
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