preparing for lambing dr. sherry smith dunnville veterinary clinic
TRANSCRIPT
PREPARING FOR LAMBING
Dr. Sherry Smith
Dunnville Veterinary Clinic
Lambing-Most Important Event of the Year
LAMBING TIME
Most important time of year Stressing due to increase demand in time
and resources PREPARATION IS KEY
OBJECTIVES
A. Getting Prepared
1. Managing Ewes
2. Preparing Facilities
3. Preparing Supplies
OBJECTIVES
B. Lambing
1. Signs of Lambing
2. Stages of Lambing
3. Normal Versus Abnormal Presentation
4. Assisted Lambing
OBJECTIVES
C. Aftercare
1. Lambs
2. Ewe
A. Getting Prepared
1. Managing the Ewe
a. Nutrition
b. Vaccination and Deworming
c. Shearing
d. Lambing Records
Nutrition is Key!!!
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Nutrition is the key to healthy ewes and healthy lambs
Three periods of gestation
-first two-three weeks of gestation
-following 12 weeks-maintenance period
-last 4-6 weeks of gestation
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
First 2-3 Weeks of Gestation
Slight weight gains after conception Good quality roughage and feedstuffs to
reduce embryo mortality
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Next 12 Weeks of Gestation
Maintenance of pregnancy Body condition score ewes Use good quality roughages and feedstuffs AVOID MOLDY FEED Save highest quality feed for late gestation
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Body Condition Scoring
Estimates condition of muscling and fat development
Based on feeling of level of muscle and fat deposited over and around vertebrae in loin region
Central spine, Spinous process and Transverse process
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Body Condition Score-3-3.5
Average Weight Spinous Processes-smooth and less
prominent; moderate pressure required to feel between them
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Body Condition Score-3-3.5
Loin muscle is full with moderate fat cover Transverse process smooth with firm
pressure needed to push fingers under edge
Body Condition Scoring in Sheep
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Last 4-6 Weeks of Gestation
Critical period Period of largest weight gain Period of greatest fetal growth
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Last 4-6 Weeks of Gestation
Start feeding grain May need to add concentrates Provide mineral-salt mixture free choice Provide sufficient feeder space
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Inadequate Nutrition during Gestation
Metabolic Dx (ex. Pregnancy Toxemia) Weak lambs at birth Increased lamb mortality
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Inadequate Nutrition during Gestation
Decreased birth weight Decreased milk production Slower lamb gains
Poor Nutrition during Gestation= Weak Lambs
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Metabolic Disorders in the Transition Ewe
Transition period-4 wks pre-lambing to 2-3 weeks post-lambing
Short period of time-radical metabolic changes in ewe
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Metabolic Disorders in the Transition Ewe
Ewes are facing-final stages of gestation-onset of lactation-intake and appetite fluctuations-diet transitions-fluctuations in hormone levels
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Metabolic Disorders in the Transition Ewes
Pregnancy Toxemia Milk Fever
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Pregnancy Toxemia
low glucose concentration in the blood excessive breakdown of body fat primary cause-inadequate nutrition during
the last 1/3 of pregnancy
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Pregnancy Toxemia
At Risk
Overconditioned ewes Underconditioned ewes Ewes with multiple fetus
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Pregnancy Toxemia-Clinical Signs
Off-feed Lethargic Lagging behind rest of flock Poor muscle control Walking aimlessly
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Pregnancy Toxemia-Clinical Signs
Teeth grinding Twitching Eventually unable to rise If untreated-DEATH
Pregnancy Toxemia in a Ewe
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Pregnancy Toxemia-Treatment Early Stages
Propylene Glycol Yogourt and Water Force Feeding Vitamin B12
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Pregnancy Toxemia-Treatment Later Stages
IV glucose Ewe may require a C-section
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Pregnancy Toxemia-Prevention
Adequate energy in ration Exercise Avoid abrupt feed changes
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Pregnancy Toxemia-Prevention
Prevent stress Adequate feeder space Ensure moderate body condition Prevent ewes from becoming obese Separate timid/thin ewes
Ensure adequate feeder space
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Milk Fever
Acute hypocalcemia Occurs in late pregnancy to early lactation Cause-increase demand for calcium
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Milk Fever-Clinical Signs
Weakness Ataxia Muscle trembling
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Milk Fever-Clinical Signs
Decreased appetite Progresses to inability to stand If untreated-DEATH
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Milk Fever
At Risk: Old Ewes Ewes with multiple fetus
Milk Fever in a Ewe
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Milk Fever-Treatment
IV, PO, or SQ Calcium
1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Milk Fever-Prevention
Exercise and proper nutrition Good loose mineral mix Calcium supplementation
1. Managing the Ewe- Vaccination and Deworming
Vaccination for Clostridium Late pregnancy risk of high levels of
parasites
Deworming in a ewe
1. Managing the Ewe-Shearing
Dependent on time of year and availability of shelter
2-3 weeks prior to lambing If don’t shear-Crutch
Shearing a ewe
Crutching a ewe
Record Keeping is Important!!!
1. Managing the Ewe- Lambing Records
Important Cull ewes with lambing problems Do not keep offspring of ewes with lambing
problems
Lambing Pen
2. Preparing Facilities
Prepare 1 week prior to lambing Clean and fresh bedding Draft-free Lambing pens-1 per 10 ewes Lambing jugs-small ewe-4 ft by 4 ft
-large ewe/multiple births-5 ft by 5 ft
3. Preparing Supplies
Lambing Kit Colostrum and Milk Replacer
3. Preparing Supplies-Lambing Kit
Soap Disinfectant Obstetrical lubricant Syringes and needles Antibiotics
3. Preparing Supplies-Lambing Kit
Vitamin E and Se Lamb cords and lamb snare Navel disinfectant-iodine based Clean towels or cloths Clean pail for warm water
3. Preparing Supplies-Colostrum and Milk Replacer
Can be ewe or cow
3. Preparing Supplies-Colostrum
Very important Can be fresh or frozen (in 500 cc units)
3. Preparing Supplies-Colostrum
Three roles
Protective Laxative Nutritional
B. Lambing
Normal gestation period is from 140-150 days
1. Signs of Lambing
2. Stages of Lambing
3. Normal Versus Abnormal Presentation
4. Assisted Lambing
B. Lambing-Signs of Lambing
Behavioral Changes
Separation and/or isolation Territorial Pawing at ground Restless, nervous or uncomfortable
B. Lambing-Signs of Lambing
Behavioral Changes
Up and down Tail switching Frequent urination Decreased appetite
B. Lambing-Signs of Lambing
Physiological Changes
Increase respiration Sides caving in Vulvar area swollen Mucous discharge Teats enlarged
B. Lambing-Stages of Lambing
a. Dilation of the cervix
b. Expulsion of the lamb
c. Expulsion of the afterbirth
B. Lambing-Stages of Lambing
a. Dilation of the cervix
-2 to 14 hours
-Uterine contractions
-White mucus plug is passed
-Cervix dilates
-Ewe is uneasy
Stage 1 Lambing
B. Lambing-Stages of Lambing
b. Expulsion of the Lamb
-Less than 2 hours
-Stronger and more frequent contractions
-Waterbags and lamb pushed through cervix
-1st waterbag ruptures
Stage 2 Lambing
B. Lambing-Stages of Lambing
b. Expulsion of the Lamb
-2nd waterbag pushes through vulva and ruptures
-Forefeet first, followed by head
-May take considerable effort to pass head
and shoulders
B. Lambing-Stages of Lambing
c. Expulsion of the afterbirth
-5-8 hours after lambing
-multiple births-separate afterbirths
Stage 3 Lambing
B. Lambing-Normal Versus Abnormal Presentation
Normal Presentation
Two Forelimbs and a head between them
Normal Birthing Presentation
B. Lambing-Normal Versus Abnormal Presentation
Normal Delivery
Five hours from start of cervical dilation to delivery of the lamb
B. Lambing-Normal Versus Abnormal Presentation
Signs of Abnormal Deliveries
-straining and no signs of waterbag for 1 hour
-continues to strain an hour after rupture of waterbags and no signs of lambs
-lamb appears wedged in the birth canal
-abnormal presentation
B. Lambing-Normal Versus Abnormal Presentation
To Determine If Normal Presentation:
-is fetus facing forward or backwards
-compare anatomy of fetus to ewe
-follow legs to body of the fetus
-determine normal posture of fetus
B. Lambing –Normal Versus Abnormal Presentation
Abnormal Presentations
One or both forelimbs back Head back Hind legs instead of forelegs One or both hindlegs back
B. Lambing-Normal Versus Abnormal Presentation
REMEMBER
Assistance will be needed if you see the above signs of abnormal deliveries
ANY DELAY COULD MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIVE AND DEAD LAMBS!
B. Lambing-Assisted Lambing
Secure ewe Wash hind end Scrub hands and arms WEAR GLOVES-REMEMBER
ZOONOTIC ORGANISMS! Lubricate
Assisted Lambing
B. Lambing-Assisted Lambing
Slide hand into vagina; assess situation Is cervix dilated?-IF NOT-DON’T PULL
LAMB Correct abnormal position Don’t convert posterior position to anterior
position
B. Lambing-Assisted Lambing
For Normal Delivery
Place noose of lambing cord over each leg Lubricate birth canal Apply steady pulls synchronized with ewe’s
contractions Once head and forelimbs out pull side to
side and downwards
Assisted Birth
Posterior Presentation
B. Lambing-Assisted Lambing
For Posterior Presentation
Pull lamb’s hind legs first-straight back Once hind legs and pelvis are out-change
pull downwards towards the ground
Twins
B. Lambing-Assisted Lambing
Twins
Reach in and feel which parts belong to which lamb
Try to straighten lamb’s positions Push one lamb back to allow other to come
first.
B. Lambing-Assisted Lambing
Abnormal Presentations
Positions-head back
Abnormal Presentation
Head Back
Correction-push lamb back and reach in and gently search for head and try to position face forward
Positions-one or both hindlegs back
Abnormal Presentations
One or both hind legs back
Correction-push lamb forward and gently grab one of the rear legs and place it in the birth canal. Repeat with the second leg.
Positions-breach and upside down
Abnormal Presentations
Breach and Upside Down
Correction-push lamb forward, turn lamb and repeat procedure for hind legs back.
Positions-one or both forelegs back
Abnormal Presentation
One or both front legs back
Correction-push body back, gently grabbing and repositioning the front leg. Repeat with other front leg.
B. Lambing-Assisted Lambing
Remember
Large lambs may require c-sections Deformed lambs-MAY REQUIRE
VETERINARY ASSISTANCE Multiple births are common; multiple
placentas Check ewe after birthing
C. Aftercare
Lamb Ewe
C. Aftercare-Lamb
Ensure it is breathing; clear nostrils Clip and dip umbilical cord Need to nurse or tube-feed colostrum within
6-8 hours after birth
C. Aftercare-Lamb
Colostrum
First milk produced by ewe Provides energy, protein, vitamins, minerals
and WBC Require 10% of BW within 24 hours
C. Aftercare-Lamb
Colostrum
Unable to absorb antibodies from colostrum after 36 hours
Do not heat up colostrum Do not dilute colostrum with water
C. Aftercare-Lamb
Weak Lamb
Help nurse Provide supplemental heat if cold If unable to suckle-tube-feed
Hotbox for lambs
Tube Feeding Lamb
C. Aftercare-Lamb
Tube-feeding
Warm colostrum Sanitize feeding tube and syringe Measure length of feeding-tube Restrain animal
C. Aftercare-Lamb
Tube-feeding
Hold head; Insert feeding-tube Check to see if in esophagus Allow colostrum to trickle down esophagus Needs 10% of BW of colostrum Crimp feeding-tube as you withdraw
C. Aftercare-Ewe
Ensure ewe and lamb bond Examine ewe internally for other fetus +/- oxytocin Antibiotics if you had to intervene Anti-inflammatories for pain
Ewe bonding with lamb
C. Aftercare-Ewe
Fresh hay and water Gradually re-introduce grain Complete lambing records and ID lambs Place in small groups of 6-10 ewes, 1-2
days after lambing
C. Aftercare-Ewe
Post-lambing problems
Mastitis Prolapsed Uterus
C. Aftercare-Ewe
Mastitis
Inflammation of the udder Caused by physical injury, stress or bacteria Production costs-Txt, premature culling and
decreased performance of lambs.
C. Aftercare-Ewe
Mastitis
Seen shortly after lambing until post-weaning period
C. Aftercare-Ewe
Mastitis Several Forms
Clinical Mastitis Severe Mastitis Subclinical Mastitis
Ewe with Mastitis
C. Aftercare-Ewe
Mastitis
Treatment Antibiotics Anti-inflammatories Stripping quarters Supplementing Lambs
C. Aftercare-Ewe
Mastitis
Prevention Good management and sanitation Good drainage Prevent overcrowding Prevent respiratory dx in lambs
C. Aftercare-Ewe
Prolapsed Uterus
Everted uterus Extends from vulva –can extend to below
hocks Prominent caruncles may be present Afterbirth may be present
Prolapsed uterus in a Ewe
C. Aftercare-Ewe
Prolapse Uterus
Results from powerful abdominal straining Immediately after birthing or after 12-48
hour interval
C. Aftercare-Ewe
Prolapse Uterus
Due to Prolonged labour Pain arising from infection or swelling of
posterior reproductive tract
C. Aftercare-Ewe
Prolapse Uterus CALL VET
Uterus is replaced correctly and fully inverted
Vulvar sutures Antibiotics
Questions????