Newborn weak and shivering.

[Blossomgapfarm]

Ok, it is an ewe lamb not a goat, but I am worried. I have posted on the sheep board as well but it is not as well frequented sometimes.

Quick history - twin lambs born this morning about 9:30. Ewe lamb nursed once. I left for work, DH checked on them about noon. Ewe lamb was awake and seemed to be fine but he did not see her nurse. I was worred because mom has a small udder this time around and I was not sure the lamb was eating good. At about 3:30 DH went out and the lamb was laid out, barely breathing, he got some regular cow milk with a bit of sugar down her while the goat colostrum was thawing. We have fed her about 4 oz total, the last about 1 hr ago. Mom does not seem to have much milk at all.

The lamb is doing better - will wake up, has stood on her own, pooped at least once - but is still very weak and shivering. I am going out now with another bottle and will check her temp. The temp in the barn is at least 75 degrees so she should not be cold. I am not sure what to do if she is as it is plenty warm in the barn.

Any advise?

[full sun]

I had a kid that was like this. The vet said to get calories in him. I had to give him a few ccs of sugar water every 30 minutes, to kick start him. And then I gave him milk supplements in addition to nursing. He got stronger and stronger and I had to do the sugar thing less and less. After about 3 days, he was nursing with no supplements.

Best of luck, I hope he gets better soon!

HTH!
Jennifer

[HazyDay]

Tube it. with the colostrum. That will warm it up. You may have to bottle feed her. Call your vet. see what they think.

[Blossomgapfarm]

She is taking a bottle well now, though if I had been home with her, I would have tubed that first feeding. DH did a good job but tubing would have been much faster. I have tubed before (newborn human babies) but was not home.

The vet would say keep it warm, make sure it is fed, sheep look for a way to die.

She took 5 oz about 1 hr ago but it bothers me that she is not up walking or trying to walk. Her temp is normal so I don't get the shivering either. I will check on her again in a little while.

Thanks for the replies.

[Bearfootfarm]

Give her a day or two to get up and walking. Being born is very tiring.

You might also try some Vitamin B to help with stress

[deafgoatlady]

I think this will work! try this... 1 cc of any kind of whiskey, 1 cc of karo syrup and 1 cc of black coffee (cooled).... They will help to boost them up and move around and warm up... And I think it is a good idea to give vit b complex. but I wish that u can use the "serum" that helps to boost the immune system.. But I think the sheep will be just fine... Give it a time. Keep feed them with a bottle... It will get better..