Lambing preparation and survival Flashcards
How bad is lamb mortality?
NADIS 10-25% by day 3 - 11% dystocia - 11% stillbirth - 25% hypothermia/starvation - 14% infection - 13% non infectious disease
What is the gestation period of normal lambing?
143-147 days
What are the 3 stages of lambing?
1st stage = 3-6 hours, inc. activity, short (15-30s) abdominal contractions, build to cervical dilation, mucus hanging from vulva
2nd stage = 30-120 mins, actual lambing, active + powerful straining, amnion showed rupture, normal presentation (nose and two feet)
3rd stage = 2-4 hours, expulsion of foetal membranes, 2-3 hours after lambing
When to intervene?
1st stage over 4 hours or stopped completely
2nd stage near beyond 2 hours
Obvious malpresentation
No 2nd lamb after 30 mins
Prolonged unproductive straining (30 mins to 1 hour)
Intervention in lambing - what do i need?
Lambing snare Antibiotics (penicillin, oxytetracyclin) Analgesics (procaine, flunixin) Suture material for prolapses Respiratory stimulants Iodine navel dip Lubricant - use more than you think you need
What are common presentations of lambs?
- head + two feet, typically no assistance unless oversized
- both legs back, normal presentation, draw straight back
- Leg back, ewe on side with leg back uppermost, repulse lamb, pull leg forward, lamb as normal
- bilateral shoulder flexion, head out only, repulse lamb and bring legs forward, epidural (sacrococcygeal)
- breech, tail out, repulse, bring hind limbs to vulva, epidural
- twins presenting at the same time - identify which leg belongs to which, push one back, pull other one out, repeat
- head to side, repulse and pull head to fore, use snare to keep head up, lambs frequently dead
What are recommended medications to use at lambing time?
NSAIDS - after every intervention - some (most) farms will not have Antibiotics - check farm health plan - penicillin or oxytetracycline - use on all or some (worst) - extra epidural (sacroccygeal)
What are some common problems that ewes can encounter?
Metritis Ringwomb Vaginal prolapse Uterine prolapse Twin lamb disease Hypocalcaemia Abortion Mastitis
What is metritis?
Infection of the womb
Caused by poor lambing practice
Signs = dull ewe, poor milk yield, swollen vulva with red/brown discharge
Treat with antibiotic
What is ringwomb?
Failure of the cervix to fully dilate, 2 fingers able to get in, manually dilate
C-section
For the drugs advised there is not a lot of evidence as to whether they work effectively or not
What is a vaginal prolapse?
Pre-lambing issue, 1% but can vary
Vagina + cervix
Risk factors: over conditioned, lack of movement (housed), high fibre diet, triplets, lameness, hypocalcaemia
Signs: visual observation, straining like 1st stage of labour, isolation, reluctance to feed, cervix may be open
Treatment: first aid, clean + protect, epidural, ewe standing, lift bladder to allow urination, retain (truss/harness, plastic devices, suture), lamb ewe
What is a Buhner suture?
Veterinary intervention
Epidural mandatory
Release at lambing
What is a uterine prolapse?
0.1% of lambed ewes typically
Large single lambs predisposed
Due to pain or swelling of posterior reproductive tract
Identified by visual signs
Treatment: vet emergency, antibiotic course, NSAID, feed, water, supplement lambs
What is evisceration through a vaginal tear?
Risk factor for prolapse
1-2% of affected flocks
No treatment, euthanasia required
What is pregnancy toxaemia (metabolic diseases)?
Twin lamb disease, energy demand exceeds supply
- clinical signs - does not come to feed trough, isolated, dull + depressed, blind, head pressing, fine muscle tremors of the head, weakness & recumbency, death
- treatment - palatable feeds + fresh water, drench with propylene glycol, IV glucose injection, glucocorticoid injection
- prevention - feed to lamb number, monitor BCS up to lambing
