lambing & kidding

LAMBING AND KIDDING:

What’s normal and what can go

wrong!

Mara L. Mulllinix D.V.M.

CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT

Clean, dry, low humidity, low ammonia, and eliminate draftiness!

Lambing jugs, or pens to alleviate mismatching of lambs/ewes

after lambing.

+/- Heat Lamps

Can be an open front shed, old bank barn, an area made of

bales , or a state of the art building designed by the best

Agricultural engineers.. ..ultimately it is going to be up to the

EWE and YOU!

EWES…WELL PREPARED

Well nourished ewes but not overly!!!

Obesity of the ewe is a huge factor in difficult labor… second

only to a huge overfed unborn lamb! You’ve all see the big

beautiful .. but not well doing, Mr. DUH lamb.. They can’t walk or

nurse for hours!

Mismatching of the sire size to the ewe can cause dystocia

especially if the head and shoulders are too big! Watch for coarse

shouldered rams and.. even the ewe’s sire size can come into

play.

MICRONUTRIENTS

Selenium..this mineral may play a role in ringwomb (non-dialating cervix)

and also prolapsing of the vagina or uterus.. Kids with “rubbery” legs have

been attributed to this nutrient

Calcium and magnesium are minerals which are extremely important for

pregnant ewes. Hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia are not uncommon in

periparturient ewes. They present almost the same with neuromuscular

signs, and probably contribute to retained placentae.

Ad libitum loose salt mineral mix during pregnancy is my preference

INADEQUATE WATER throughout pregnancy and during lactation is the

most important nutrient …as it is throughout life..

ELIMINATE OTHER DISEASE FACTORS

Chlamydia…late term abortions, and small weak lambs

can be relatively easy to eliminate from the flock by adding

Aureomycin to feed or using LA 200 or similar injectable

tetracycline

Deworming ewes before the last trimester

Good nutritional program

Sort ewes according to BCS, lamb numbers determined

by ultrasound and experience

PREGNANCY TOXEMIA OR KETOSIS

Multiparous thin or obese ewes with twins +

Ewes with twins require 1.8-1.9 times more energy and protein

Inadequate nutrition due to diminished ruminal capacity because of

uterine size, +/_insufficient energy dense ration

Huge glucose requirement for late term lamb growth force ewes to use fat

stores leading to hepatic lipidosis and the decreased clearing of ketone

bodies

Ewes with twins require 1.8-1.9 times more energy and protein

Feed refusal and neurological dysfunction leading to recumbency and

even death

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A

POUND OF CURE

Sort ewes according to BCS, lamb numbers determined by ultrasound

( helps with due date also) and experience of the ewe

Monitor feed intake of the ewes, diminished intake is also an early

sign of lambing (24hours)

Ionophores such as monensin may also help prevent toxemia

Treatment of early cases include propylene glycol ( 60 ml. 2-3xdaily for

3 day) with oral calcium and potassium, calf electrolytes work well. May

include, induction of labor, C-Section, IV dextrose, Calcium gluconate

(50-100ml) SQ, and oral potassium chloride, and even insulin

TREATMENT (WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS)

Treatment of early cases include propylene glycol (

60 ml. 2-3xdaily for 3 day) with oral calcium and

potassium, calf electrolytes work well.

More advanced cases may require induction of

labor, C-Section, IV dextrose, Calcium gluconate (50-

100ml) SQ, oral potassium chloride, and even insulin

VAGINAL PROLAPSE

Probably genetic..after weaning cull the ewe and do not keep ewe

lambs as replacements

Obesity is a big factor

Foot rot makes ewes lie in sternal recumbency predisposes

prolapsing

Multiple births triplets>>>>twins>>>>singlet

Treat with replacement of the prolapse, may need ABC and NSAID

then I prefer harnesses over Buhner stitching, d/t less pain, and

ewe can lamb without stitch removal through harness

EARLY STAGES OF LABOR

The ewe will separate

herself from the

flock , she may begin

nesting by pawing and

nickering.

Other ewes may try to

“steal” other newborn

lambs, will try to lick

them, and nuzzle or

butt them

NORMAL BIRTH

A mucus plug

will appear, and

the ewe may

begin uterine

contractions

TRUE LABOR BEGINS

The ewe may or may

not lay down, but you

will begin to see more

signs of labor and the

ewe may vocalize

more. And you can

actually she her push.

CONTRACTIONS CONTINUE!

After 2-3 hours the amniotic

sac (water bag ) appears

and after 30 to 60 minute

the lamb’s nose and front

leg appears. After 20 to 30

minutes the lamb should be

born.

THE LAMB APPEARS!

BOTH FEET DOWN

AFTER BIRTH

The ewe will lick and

clean the lambs which is

a crucial time for

bonding. Soon after the

lambs will get up and

begin searching to nurse.

After 2-3 hours the

placenta will pass. Do

not allow the ewe to eat

it. Some do, but it may

cause illness and/or

blockage.

THE RESULT WE ALL WANT!

2 DEFINITE SIGNS OF DYSTOCIA

No lamb visible after 45-60

minutes after the amniotic sac

appears

After the lamb has appeared for

30 minutes and no progress

PROBLEM!!Drag picture to placeholder or click icon to add

If labor takes

more than 1

hour after the

amniotic sac

appears be

prepared to

assist with

delivery

OH MY MYLAMBTA!

Before You Are Faced DYSTOCIA..(Big Word for

Difficult labor)

Having a veterinarian to call and consult is

important!

Being prepared is Paramount! Have a controlled

environment….. as nearly you possibly can!

Now it is up to YOU and the EWE

ASSISTING

Restrain the ewe, either with halter ( do not tie too high or

she may lie down) or my preference, some one holding her

head. Head chutes or milking stauncions also work well.

Wash the back of the ewe with disinfecting soap or iodine

scrub

Apply gloves or scrub your arm

Use liberal amount of lubricant

Insert your arm slowly

FIGURE OUT POSITION OF THE LAMB

How many lambs?

Forwards or backwards, position of hooves, nose or

tail?

If only one foot, always try to retract lamb and get

both front legs

Only the tail? Follow the body to the hind legs and

pull lamb backwards, steadily downward, need to

clear airways.

Feet and no head? May need a snare to pull the

head around

CALL FOR HELP

If the lamb head is too big to get through the

pelvis.

If the cervix is not dialated at all

If the cervix is partial dialated and digital

manipulation won’t dialate it large enough for the

lambs delivery.

NORMAL PRESENTATION

THIS IS NOT AS SCARY AS IT APPEARS!

MANIPULATION

First you reach

under the lamb

and cupping each

foot with your

hands, pull it out

until….

YOU HAVE THIS!!

Breach presentations are

considered normal by

some. Just pull

downward steadily, but

must remove quickly.

Clean out the nose, and

get any fluid from lungs!

QUANDRY PRESENTATION

Some people will pull

lambs with this

presentation. I don’t

recommend it,

because of damage to

the lamb’s shoulder

and neck

PLEASE FIX THE LEGS

Some people actually

will pull lambs with

this presentation. This

is horrible on the

lambs and on the ewe.

PLEASE FIX THE

LEGS!

THIS ONE IS TOUGH

Make sure you push

the lamb in. Then

reach under and pull

the head around. I’ve

flipped ewes on their

back, for some reason

this helps!

A PUZZLE YOU CAN FIX!

First you push the lamb

with the head turned

back in. Then, you pull

the normally presented

lamb. You already know

how to fix the

malpositioned lamb!

PUZZLE # 2

Someone else

solve it!

DON’T WORRY BE HAPPY

Take every little gift

like this and never

take it for granted.

After you have had a

few wrecks, you’ll

smile every time you

seen this!!

D

DO NOT OVER REACT

Once the lamb is born allow the Mom to do her job.

Check the udder to make sure the teats are open

Give any ewe you have assisted an injection of

antibiotic

I do not recommend dipping cords, but that is up

to you!

Check them in 2 hours to make sure the lamb has

nursed and is up and moving. Over caring can

sometimes do more harm than good.