ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - Ewe Obstetrics and Neonatal Care

Question 1

What does pre-lambing management involve?

Answer 1

• Scanning of ewes (management of groups divided by the number of foetuses a ewe is carrying)
• Minimisation of handling during late pregnancy
• Managing health status of the ewes
• Preparation of the lambing area

Question 2

What are some of the signs of approaching lambing?

Answer 2

• Udder development (vary variable)
• Restlessness
• Ewe may separate from flock at the beginning of contractions
• Nest making/scraping of the ground
• Appearance of the ‘water bag’
• Appearance of part of the lamb

Question 3

What are some of the signs of dystocia?

Answer 3

• Total labour period exceeding 90 minutes
• Head of lamb only showing
• Wet or blood present at the back end of the ewe with no obvious sign of the lamb
• Only one leg or both legs with no progress
• ‘Water bag’ burst but no obvious progress
• Restlessness for a long period of time

Question 4

What should you check for in the ewe post-lambing?

Answer 4

• Check for the presence of another lamb
• Check for any damage or haemorrhage within the uterus
• Administer a long acting antibiotic (try to avoid this if possible)
• Check for milk production

Question 5

What should you check for in the lamb post-lambing?

Answer 5

• Clear the airway
• Treat the navel
• Observe to make sure the lamb takes colostrum

Question 6

What are some of the common complications seen in ewes at lambing time?

Answer 6

• Metritis
• Mastitis
• Vaginal/uterine prolapse
• Retained placenta

Question 7

What is colostrum?

Answer 7

Colostrum is energy and antibody dense serum produced by the mammary gland immediately following delivery of the neonate

Question 8

Why is colostrum consumption so important in lambs?

Answer 8

Colostrum is a highly nutritious energy source that helps the lamb to maintain body temperature and survive. It also contains antibodies that are vital to help protect the newborn lamb against disease

Question 9

Which ewes should you collect colostrum from for colostrum supplementation?

Answer 9

Collect colostrum form well fed ewes which have carried a single foetus

Question 10

Which ewes should you NOT collect colostrum from for colostrum supplementation?

Answer 10

Do not collect colostrum from ewes which have carried more than one foetus or from ewes that have had a stillbirth

Question 11

How should colostrum be stored?

Answer 11

Colostrum can be stored in the fridge for two days or can be frozen and defrosted (not in the microwave)

Question 12

List three alternative sources of supplementary colostrum

Answer 12

• Bovine colostrum
• Goat colostrum
• Proprietary colostrum

Question 13

What are the normal temperature ranges for lambs and at what temperature are lambs officially hypothermic?

Answer 13

Normal temperature range: 39-40°C
Hypothermic: at or below 37°C

Question 14

List the requirements that should be followed before turning out lambs that were born indoors

Answer 14

• Lambs should be dry
• Suckling well
• Well-bonded to their mothers
• Weather is not cold, wet and windy
• Ewe has plenty of milk

Question 15

How should you treat hypothermia in lambs less than 5 hours old?

Answer 15

Place the lamb in a warming box and administer colostrum via a stomach tube

Question 16

How should you treat hypothermia in lambs over 5 hours old that are still standing?

Answer 16

Administer colostrum via a stomach tube before placing the lamb in a warming box

Question 17

How should you treat hypothermia in lambs over 5 hours old that are recumbent?

Answer 17

Administer an intraperitoneal glucose injection (administer 1cm lateral and 2.5cm ventral to the naval)

Question 18

What are three techniques that are used to allow a ewe to foster a lamb?

Answer 18

1. Rub the new lamb in the birthing fluids from the other ewe
2. Skin the dead lamb and place that over the orphan lamb
3. Fostering crate

Question 19

What are some of the clinical signs of ‘watery mouth’ in lambs?

Answer 19

• Loss of appetite
• Long strands of saliva
• Destended gaseous abdomen
• Diarrhoea

Question 20

What should be done to control ‘watery mouth’ in lambs?

Answer 20

• Prophylactic colostrum
• Biosecurity

Question 21

What causes naval infections in lambs?

Answer 21

The naval at birth is wet, blood filled and leads into the abdomen so is an excellent environment for bacteria to enter the abdomen

Question 22

What should be done to control naval infections in lambs?

Answer 22

• Shorten the cord if it is trailing on the ground
• Disinfect the cord
• Colostrum provision to prevent infection
• Biosecurity

Question 23

What is Entropion?

Answer 23

A condition where the lower eyelid turns in and rubs on the eye which can cause irritation, keratitis, ulceration and even blindness

Question 24

How should Entropion be treated in young lambs?

Answer 24

Manual correction through the use of skin clips or a minor surgery to correct the abnormality. Topical antibiotics should be administered to prevent infection

Question 25

List three possible methods of lamb castration

Answer 25

• Elastration
• Burdizzo
• Open castration (knife)

Question 26

Why should lambs not be castrated in the first 24 hours of life?

Answer 26

Suckling will be diminished

Question 27

What is the benefit of lamb tail docking?

Answer 27

To prevent fly strike

Question 28

How much of the lamb tail should be left when tail docking?

Answer 28

Males: sufficient tail should be left to cover the anus
Females: sufficient tail should be left to cover the vulva

Question 29

What is the law in the UK for lamb castration?

Answer 29

It is an offence to castrate lambs which have reached three months of age without the use of an anaesthetic. Furthermore, the use of a rubber ring, or other device, to restrict the flow of blood to the scrotum or tail, is only permitted without an anaesthetic if the device is applied during the first week of life