I had a ewe that was getting no where and when I checked all I found were 4 feet. After some working(and praying) I got one of the twins out and the second took considerably longer because the head was turned back. It was the first time that I had to be this aggressive in a delivery(never in past my wrist!) I gave her a shot of 10cc penicillian, that was nearly 48 hours ago. She seems a little droopy(or am I imagining), but is eating and chewing her cud. I imagine that she is somewhat sore also. Was one shot enough as a preventative? What should I be looking for as a possible problem? Thanks Tami
If she is up and eating she is likely just sore. You could bolster her water with a little molasas or corn syrup. A drench of coffee and sugar water might perk her up for the effort. A couple of things to consider. Did she pass the after birth? Is she lactating? Is she anemic? A couple of follow up PenG shots wouldn't hurt. 10cc's seems a lot but I really don't try to remember doses either. Better to finish what you start with antibiotics then go half way.
Thanks Ross, I did give her molasses after delivery. She seems to be eating fine. Her bag is very large and I have been trying to make sure the lambs are getting on both sides(a problem she had last year) They seems to be doing fine, and she has milk. How do you know if a sheep is anemic? She did pass the afterbirth. What is the coffee/sugar drench for-energy? I will give her a couple more shots of pen. Thanks, Tami
You can tell if a sheep is anemic but checking their gums or conjuntivae( the area visable when you pull the eyelid down). Should be bright pink. If pale it indicates anemia, from either blood lose during delivery or a heavy parasite load. Check another sheep to compare the color if you are unsure what you are looking at. I also give warm water with molasses in it for energy after a ewe lambs. There are also products on the market, one is Nutradrench that is a high energy vitamin mineral drench. If the udder is very large and the teats engorged, I strip off enough to make the teats and udder more pliable. You want to get the lambs on both sides early on as an engorged udder from little nursing can lead to mastitis. I sometimes freeze this if there is any colostrum fo emergency use . I also would hold off on any grain for a few days, if you give any, until the udder softens up a bit and the lambs are up and nursing good on both sides. My vet always tells me to do the Penicillin for 5 days, twice a day. Also monitor her temperature. ( rectally of course, 101-102 normal) I'm guessing that she is probably fine if she is chewing her cud and eating and drinking okay. The coffee and sugar do the same for sheep as for humans...gives you a burst of energy from the caffiene and sugar.
We had a breech delivery Thursday, and called the vet, as we are first timers for all of this. He reached in and had to manually dialate the cervix, and then reposition the first lamb. It was born not breathing, but he did his majoc, and the twins are doing fine. As for the ewe, she sounds much like you described. The vet gave her 5cc penicillin and told me to keep it up for 5 days. He also gave a one time shot of oxy-something for the bleeding. All in all, I think she is much more mellow than previously, but seems to be coming around.
Oxytocin to clean the afterbirth no doubt. Handy stuff oxytocin. Yeah the coffee is just as sheeplady describes, a simple "pick ewe up" the same as for people! Makes a world of difference sometimes, even in the sickest of sheep.
