This presentation was originally given on December 6, 2008, at a Lambing and Kidding School at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES).

Problems encountered and

how to address themSusan Schoenian

Sheep & Goat SpecialistWestern Maryland Research & Education Center

University of Maryland Cooperative Extensionsschoen@umd.edu – www.sheepandgoat.com

Lambing and kidding Most ewes and does will

lamb and kid on their own and take care of their offspring.

It is best to leave them alone.

Don’t make things more complicated than they need to be.

Cull ewes and does with problems.

Do not keep offspring from females that have problems.

Problems encountered before lambing and kidding

Pregnancy toxemia Milk fever Vaginal prolapse Abortion storm

Pregnancy toxemiaalso called ketosis, twin lamb disease, and lambing paralysis

Low blood glucose caused by inadequate intake of energy intake during last month of pregnancy.

Breakdown of fat produces toxic ketone bodies.

Pregnancy toxemia What are the

symptoms? Lag behind flock Droopy Lack of appetite Lethargy Recumbency Death

Pregnancy toxemia Who’s most

susceptible? Females carrying

multiple fetuses Thin females Fat females Timid females

Pregnancy toxemia Early intervention is

necessary. Treatment is to

administer glucose to affected females. Orally Under the skin (Sub-Q) Intravenous (IV)

In advanced cases, a caesarian section may be necessary.

Milk feverhypocalcemia

Low blood calcium Caused by intake

of too little or too much calcium (failure to mobilize calcium).

Milk fever What are the

symptoms? Lack behind flock Lack of appetite Lethargy Unsteadiness Recumbency Similar to pregnancy

toxemia

Milk fever Early recognition is

necessary, Treatment is calcium

therapy. Oral Under skin (sub-Q) Intravenous (IV)

Vaginal prolapse

Protrusion of vagina Causes . . . . ?

Genetic predisposition

Lack of exercise Obesity Hormonal imbalances

Vaginal prolapse Need to clean and put back

in. Can keep in with a bearing

retainer (spoon), prolapse harness, or bailing twine.

A stitch will also keep prolapse in.

A ewe can lamb through the spoon and harness, but the stitch must be removed.

Usually cures itself after lambing.

Spoon/bearing retainer harness

Vaginal prolapse Ewes that prolapse

are likely to prolapse again.

There is a genetic component, so you should not keep or sell (for breeding) lambs born to these ewes.Rectal prolapse

Abortion Non-infectious Infectious

[Affects entire litter] Campylobacter fetus

(vibrio) Chlamydia sp. (enzootic) Toxoplasmosis Leptospirosis Cache Valley

During an abortion storm Isolation and sanitation. Do not feed on ground. Destroy infected placenta

and fetuses. Submit samples to

diagnostic lab. Immediate vaccination. Feed oxytetracycline or

tetracycline. Give remaining females

antibiotic injections.

During lambing and kidding

Dystocia Ringwomb Malpresentations Oversized fetus Aborted fetus(es)

Ringwomb

Failure of the cervix to dilate.

Affects females of any age or breed, especially those bearing multiple offspring.

Inadequate hormone preparation.

Study showed ringworm was result of autosomal recessive trait.

https://eidr.wvu.edu/files/964/Kerr_N_ETD.pdf

Ringwomb Administration of calcium

and/or estrogen. Manipulate the cervix to

open it up. A caesarian section is

often the only way to save the female and offspring.

Does not occur in successive seasons.

https://eidr.wvu.edu/files/964/Kerr_N_ETD.pdf

Assisting with difficult births Normal presentation

2 front legs and nose Backwards presentation

It is best to leave the ewe or doe alone.

Check female if she has not made progress after ~ 1 hour of hard labor (after water bag has broke).

Use plenty of lubricant. Elevate hindquarters or have ewe

or doe stand.

Seek assistance after 30 minutes of work with no progress.

Malpresentations

Elbow lock One or more legs back Head back Breech Upside down Multiple fetuses trying to be

born at the same time. Swollen head. Disproportionate size. Dead or deformed fetuses.

Problems encountered after lambing and kidding

Uterine prolapse No milk Inadequate milk Retained placenta Uterine infection Lack of appetite

Uterine prolapse

Occurs sporadically Protrusion of the uterus Is a life-threatening

condition. Cause . . . . ?

Obesity Genetic predisposition Low calcium Exposure to estrogens Excessive traction Retained fetal membranes Lack of exercise

Uterine prolapse Prompt and correct

replacement of uterus Thorough cleaning. Elevate hindquarters. Sugar can reduce

swelling of uterus. Antibiotics + oxytocin Usually requires

veterinary assistance. Does not occur in

subsequent parturitions.

No milk

Some females do not let them milk down immediately.

Some females never let their milk down.

An injection of oxytocin may help.

Sometimes, it takes a few days for yearlings to come into sufficient milk.

Will need to feed colostrum to lambs/kids.

Inadequate milk Caused by . . .

Inadequate nutrition during late gestation.

Excess fat in the udder caused by overfeeding prepubertal ewe lambs and doelings.

Udder disease. Genetic predisposition.

Will need to supplement, graft, or artificially rear lambs or kids.

Disowning offspringWhy? Most common in first-time mothers. Offspring are delivered in different

places One offspring wonders away Offspring have sharp teeth. Sore udder or teats Long labor Sickness Fear

Use a head stanchion to allow lambs/kids to nurse or graft, or artificially rear disowned babies.

Get rid of females that disown offspring twice.

Colostrum substitutesCAE and OPP are transmitted via virus-contaminated colostrum and milk.

Colostrum from another female in the flock.

Colostrum from another sheep or goat farm.

Cow colostrum Colostrum substitutes Colostrum supplements Homemade colostrum Milk replacer

http://www.sheepandgoat.com/articles/colostrum.html

Feeding colostrum

Tube feeding is better than bottle feeding.

Feed colostrum at body temperature.

Thaw frozen colostrum slowly.

Feed 2-4 ounces at 3 to 4 hour intervals.

Newborn should consume 10% of its body weight in colostrum.

http://www.sheepandgoat.com/articles/colostrum.html

Raising orphan lambs/kids

Bottle with nipples for small number of lambs or kids.

Milk bar for larger number of lambs or kids.

Lamb milk replacer for lambs Kid milk replacer for kids. Follow directions on bag. Wean abruptly at

approximately six weeks of age, so long as babies are drinking water and eating dry food.

Retained placenta

Usually passed 30 to 60 minutes after delivery of last offspring.

If not . . . Monitor closely. Slight tug of placenta – do

not pull hard. Administer antibiotics 2x day, Administer oxytocin or

prostaglandins.[veterinary involvement]

Lack of appetite

Uterine infection Mastitis Pneumonia Ketosis Acidosis Feed changes

Enjoy lambing and kidding