Newborn twin lamb weak...

desertshi · #1 02/02/11, 01:03 PM

I know, I know....this is the goat forum. But in this situation I think it might be the same answer either way and there are much more people on this board than the sheep board...however I did put this question over there too...

I've got a newborn twin lamb here who was born an hour ago. Her twin sister, older, was still wet when we found mama lambing but she was up walking around and nursing. This one was born and I had to run in and pop the bubble around her and clean her face really quick because mama was taking a while since I'm assuming she was exhausted. (mama is a maiden ewe with twins!) I sat outside with the lamb and mama. Mama cleaned her halfway off and then went to eat. She would come back every now and then give a lick or two and then walk away again. So I got a towel and cleaned her off. It is cold here. Probably around 30 degrees since we have frozen water this AM. She tried in vain only once or twice to stand and then gave up. She was just laying there shivering with her head all the way down on the ground. I brought her inside and she is in front of the fire. Still just laying there shivering. Should I heat some of my goat colostrom out of the freezer and feed her? Will that smell on her bum make mama reject her when I try to give her back? Her twin is jumping around, strong and nursing great!

nehimama · #2 02/02/11, 01:11 PM

Get her warm before trying to feed her ANYTHING. Even if you have to place her in a basin of warm water. Must bring up the internal temp for them, as they can't regulate their own temp that young. Dry her off really well, of course. You could even use an elec hair dryer. Next, I'd give (inject) 1/2 cc BO-SE, or if you don't have that on hand, pop a hole in a Vit E capsule and squirt the contents into her mouth. NOT until she's warmed up, though. Best of Luck! I hope she makes it for you.

nehimama · #3 02/02/11, 01:13 PM

Once the baby is warmed up, please try to milk some of mama's colostrum to feed the little one. You do have mama confined, right? If that fails, the goat colostrum will work just as well.

desertshi · #4 02/02/11, 01:20 PM

Ya, mama is confined with her other lamb. Baby is making febile atempts to stand which to me says that she is warming up thank God. She also cries out when she hears my daughter, lol. I don't have bose, so I'll go the vit e capsule route. Thanks!! I'll keep everyone posted.

desertshi · #5 02/02/11, 01:24 PM

Oh boy.....how to milk a wild sheep all by myself.

fishhead · #6 02/02/11, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertshi

Oh boy.....how to milk a wild sheep all by myself.

Can you tie her against the pen somehow?

desertshi · #7 02/02/11, 02:36 PM

I got a vit E capsule in her. Then took her outside to mom, grabbed mom's head between my legs, held baby up with one hand (still super weak) and guided her head and mouth to the nipple with the other. She got a couple of good drinks but quickly lost interest I think because she is weak. I brought her back inside in front of the fire for warmth...I don't want her body to have to try and stay warm outside. We'll see how those few swallows help her. I have goats, first day, colostrum thawing...just in case. Should I still try and milk mama? Mama is showing much more interest in the other lamb at this point, but she did try and lick this one when I lay it on the ground out there... Do you think I'll have a bum bottle lamb here or might mama accept her back when she gets stronger. Will mom reject her if I give her the goats colostrum?

fishhead · #8 02/02/11, 02:58 PM

I think I would repeat what just worked for you. Warm her up, hold mom so she can get a few gulps and then bring her back into the house to warm. I think the licking is a good sign.

desertshi · #9 02/02/11, 03:20 PM

Nope. Mom is now completely not interested in this lamb. Lamb will cry and mom will sniff it and go running to the other lamb and hover over it. I think I have a bottle baby on my hands. Practice for the goat kids coming in april I guess! lol

Our Little Farm · #10 02/02/11, 03:30 PM

Can you still milk the mom? It is important this lamb has the colostrum. Once she is strong enough to stand and is wagging her tail and looking much healthier, you can then try to put her back with her mom. With the ewes colostrum in her, she will 'smell' like hers and she may finally accept it.

If you give goats colostrum, there is no way the ewe will ever accept her lamb back.

Our Little Farm · #11 02/02/11, 03:34 PM

We had another set of twin lambs born today too.

Hope both of yours are finally accepted and do well.

desertshi · #12 02/02/11, 03:45 PM

Tried to "milk" the mom....not happening. Very, very different than a goat! WOW! lol. Can't get the milk to come out except drop by drop. I just gave her 4 oz. of warm goats colostrum. She can stand up but is very, very wobbly and then falls when she tries to walk. I have polished cement floors in the house so this does NOT help at all. She needs secure footing to learn to walk! Don't know what to do there....

Our Little Farm · #13 02/02/11, 03:54 PM

Do you have baby gates, and a couple of bath mats? Make a pen out of something, put the mats down and then towels on top to collect any urine etc. Keep up with the colostrum, you now have a bottle lamb.

Sorry this has happened, hope she survives!

desertshi · #14 02/02/11, 03:59 PM

Aww. Thanks! I hope she survives too. Time will tell.....

Our Little Farm · #15 02/02/11, 04:04 PM

Do you have any hot water bottles or better still a rice or bean bag that you can heat and keep her warm?

lambs.are.cute · #16 02/02/11, 04:06 PM

BTW a hair dryer can do more damage than good. The noise will often scare the animal silly and put them into panic mode which uses up more energy and they can go into shock and die. The best way to warm up a lamb/kid is to take a box lay a towel down, put a electric heating pad, another towel, the lamb/kid and another towel. Turn the heating pad on low but you need to check that it isn't getting too warm. You can always take the top towel off it needed. This allows you to do something else while waiting for the lamb/kid to revive (I still recommend watching them but you don't have to actually hold them like the water bath).

Our Little Farm · #17 02/02/11, 04:07 PM

What breed of sheep do you have?

Our Little Farm · #18 02/02/11, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lambs.are.cute

BTW a hair dryer can do more damage than good. The noise will often scare the animal silly and put them into panic mode which uses up more energy and they can go into shock and die. .

I agree, please do not do this. Also keep the noise to a minimum and be as calm as you can be. I talk and even make little murmmering noises I know, I'm certifiable, but it's worked to calm them.

fishhead · #19 02/02/11, 04:39 PM

Would touching and rubbing help the lamb too?

desertshi · #20 02/02/11, 05:33 PM

I saw in some photos of new kids that were in a playpen. Brilliant! I set up my playpen that I have been trying to sell (not gonna sell it now!!) with towels in the bottom....perfect footing for her to start learning! She is next to the woodstove where it is plenty warm for now.

Now. New dilemma. I think she may have white muscle disease. She stands up, very wobbly still. She can even take a tentative step or two. But, she then tumbles over or falls in the front to a kneeling position with her head on the ground. When she stands, she CAN lift her head, but mostly stands with her head down. Her back legs are the weakest and are bowed in at the hocks. What does this sound like to ya'll? I have no Bose, and can't get any right now. I gave her a broken 400 mg capsule in the mouth of Vit E. Should I give her more? And if so, when?