Neonatal lambs Flashcards
How much colostrum does a lamb need?
50ml/kg in first 6 hours
200ml/kg in first 24 hours
What is the minimum and ideal levels of plasma protein in a neonate lamb?
45g/L minimum
60g/L ideal
Give examples of milk substitutes for lambs
Hand pumped ewe colostrum
Goat colostrum - must be CAE negative
Cow colostrum - must Johne’s/TB negative and vaccinated against Clostridia, less energy so requires 30% more
What type of virus causes Border disease/hairy shaker lambs?
Pestivirus
Swayback in lambs may present as stillbirth or weak lambs with weak hindlimbs. How is this diagnosed and treated?
Dx: copper assay (liver, blood)
Tx: copper supplementation
Drunken Lamb Syndrome has an unknown cause. What age lambs does this affect?
1-3 weeks old
Drunken Lamb Syndrome causes acute ataxia, recumbency and death. Biochemistry shows azotaemia, hyperphosphataemia and severe metabolic acidosis due to excess D-lactate. What is the treatment?
Sodium bicarbonate - for acidosis
Amoxicillin
(Rapid recovery within hours)
Hypothermia is common in the first 3 days of life. How long does brown fat last for in lambs?
6 hours
What is the treatment for moderate hypothermia (<37 degrees)?
Dry lamb
Give warmed colostrum
Check ewe, provide shelter and supervise
What is the treatment for severe hyperthermia?
Dry
Warm
Give glucose intraperitoneal
Then warm fluids
How is iodine deficiency prevented?
Dose ewes with potassium iodine 4 weeks prelambing +/- 4 weeks pre-tupping
What pathogens cause joint ill/infectious arthritis and at what age?
Strep dysgalactiae - <4 weeks old
Erysipelothrix rhusipathiae 6 wks-6 months
Tick pyaemia (Staph aureus)
What is the treatment for joint ill caused by Strep dysgalactiae?
Penicillin/amoxicillin for 5 days (repeat once)
NSAIDs
Dexamethasone
Euthanise if not better
What is the treatment for joint ill caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae?
Penicillin for 5 days
NSAIDs
Meningitis is caused by opportunistic bacteria and leads to weak, depressed, collapsed or fitting lambs with congestion of the eye blood vessels. How is this treated?
Amoxicillin + clavulonic acid
Poor prognosis
How can meningitis and naval ill be prevented in lambs?
Colostrum management
Naval dipping
Good hygiene
What is navel ill?
Inflammation of umbilical vein - omphaloblephitis
What is the treatment for navel ill?
Amoxicillin + clavulonic acid
What pathogen causes lamb dysentery?
Clostridium perfringens type B
How is neonatal diarrhoea treated?
Isolation
Warm and give fluids
Systemic ABs
What is the treatment for a patent urachus?
Ligation under GA
Antibiotics
When does Watery Mouth typically occur?
Within 3 days of life
List some risk factors for watery mouth
Lambing later in lambing period Large litter size, low birthweight Early castration Inadequate colostrum Poor hygiene
What is the treatment for watery mouth?
Oral fluids
Flunixin
Broad spectrum ABs: amoxicillin, neomycin, streptomycin
How can watery mouth be prevented?
Good nutrition, hygiene, colostrum management
Don’t castrate <24 hours old
Prophylactic ABs - if recent cases of watery mouth, triplets or low birth weight
Why must a hypothermic, hypogylcaemic lamb always receive IP glucose BEFORE warming?
Warming when hypoglycaemic can cause seizuring
