Basic HTML Version
G.
GOOD PRACTICE
Management procedures such as detailing and
castration are best dealt with early in life with the
administration of ‘rubber rings’ being the preferred
method with minimised risks to the lamb. Vaccinations
if required for orf are implemented at an early stage
(avoid shedding of ‘orf’ in areas of unvaccinated
animals if possible) and protocols are in place to
identify nature of scour e.g. E.coli, coccidiosis or
nematodirus and relevant treatments are implemented.
H.
HYPOTHERMIA
Smaller lambs and those neglected by the ewe are
most vulnerable to ‘hypothermia’. The smaller lambs will
have a greater surface area to their body weight ratio
and therefore chill faster. Normally fat reserves in the
lamb are converted by oxygen into heat, but as these
are limited it is critical that over the first few days the
lambs suckles regularly and has a steady supply of milk.
The normal rectal temperature of a lamb should be
39-40 o C. In mild cases of hypothermia where the
temperature falls to between 37 and 39 o C, the
administration of colostrum via a stomach tube is often
sufficient to stimulate heat production. Where the
temperature falls to less than 37 o C or where the lamb
is small (<1.5kg), hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose)
will contribute to the hypothermia. There is a need to
reverse the hypoglycaemia and warm the lamb.
Reversal of hypoglycaemia is done by administration
of a 20% dextrose solution at a rate of 10ml/kg
bodyweight into the abdominal cavity (intra peritoneally)
The injection site being 2cm below the navel and 2cm
to the side. It is best if the solution is administered at
body temperature.
Where warming is required it is better to do this slowly,
preferably with a warm air heater as opposed to a
severe heat lamp. Checking the lamb's rectal temperature
every 20-30 minutes ensures that its temperature doesn't
exceed the normal and result in the lamb overheating.
Once temperature returns to normal levels and the lamb
is strong enough to suckle, it is best returned to its mother
as soon as possible and supervised for 24-48 hours to
ensure the ewe accepts the lamb back.
A.
ARRIVALS
Hygiene, and individual lambing facilities (pens) will
provide a safe environment for the lambs to bond with
their mother. Clean straw, gloves, gel and lambing
ropes are essential equipment for all to have.
C.
COLOSTRUM
The life saver to all newborns, colostrum is as vital to
lambs as to any other animals; with a target of 10%
of bodyweight being given in the first 6-8 hours of
life. Particularly with an assisted lambing a few extra
seconds to strip the teats, removing the keratin plug
and ensuring the quarters are free from mastitis will
identify any potential problems at source. The
availability of artificial colostrum will ensure that
colostrum is available 24 hours a day. Where
colostrum is of insufficient quality beware of E.coli
infections and implement preventative treatment
with oral antibiotics if required.
D.
DISINFECTION
The navel of a newborn lamb is a common source of
infection. Routine spraying of the navel with iodine is
a simple cost-effective treatment, carried out as soon
after birth as possible.
E.
VITAMIN E / SELENIUM
Where lambs are born into a flock that has a Vitamin E
/ Selenium deficiency an injection is recommended.
Always read the bottle for injection route and use the
neck and not the muscle of the hindquarters as the
injection site.
B.
BREATHING
Check that no placenta is covering the nostrils and
mouth. In the majority of cases a gentle rub on the chest,
or flicking the inside of the nostril with a piece of straw
will suffice. In others the administration of a ‘stimulant’
either by injection or sublingual route will be required.
P R A C T I C A L G U I D E
If you are interested in finding out more about lambing, why not talk to your
local XLVets practice, or call the FarmSkills office to book on to one of our
lambing courses near you.
FarmSkills
Mill Farm, Studley Road, Ripon,
Yorkshire HG4 2QR
T:
(01765) 608489
E:
farmskills@xlvets.co.uk
www.farm-skills.co.uk
F.
FOSTERING
For a number of reasons, a lamb may need to be
fostered. Ideally this should occur as soon as possible,
before the lamb has been licked by the mother. When
fostering from triplets select the strongest lamb and
keep the lamb and adopting ewe individually penned
until you are sure the adoption has succeeded.
I.
INVESTIGATION/INFORMATION
The final piece to the jigsaw is information:
l
Why are there weak lambs born
?
l
Why do 20 per cent of the ‘scanned lambs’ never
reach selling
?
Investigations following lambing will not increase the
lambs sold this year, but for the price of one or two lambs,
a few simple investigations through blood sampling and
postmortems will leave it easier for your veterinary practice
to develop a 'living health plan' to allow clients to
maximise their percentage lambs sold for years to come.
Why not try the following ABC approach to
remind you of key things to look out for during
the lambing season: