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SHEEP-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 144
A well used solution to this problem, which also should be started as soon as possible, is to use a prolapse retainer sometimes called a ewe-bearing retainer. This retainer is a flat, plastic tongue.
Before inserting the prolapse retainer, wash the prolapse free from all dirt and follow these procedures:
1. strap a rope or belt around her middle so that she cannot strain after your replace the prolapse. Tie a quarter of an inch (4.1 cm) rope securely around her flank in front of the udder, but not too tight that she is prevented from lying down or getting up. Once she goes into labor the rope must be removed.
2. wash your hands, and disinfect the loop.
3. wash the prolapse with cold (not hot), antiseptic water.
4. as you gently replace the vaginal lining a ewe may well urinate, so do not be surprised. The bulging of the prolapse may have blocked the opening to the urinary tract, and if prolonged, this blockage can turn to be fatal.
5. use a lubricant to assist in replacing the lining, and gently press out all the creases. This is much easier with the hind end elevated rather then when she is laying flat.
6. hold the vagina in place with one hand, insert the prolapse loop straight in, flat and horizontally.
7. the loop is held in place by either sutures or by tying it to clumps of wool if the ewe has not been sheared..
8. to reduce the risk of infection give her a shot of a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
There is no need to remove the retainer when the ewe lambs, but you can remove it as she goes into labor, however it is safer to leave it in place to protect against the prolapse recurring with the expulsion of the lamb.
A ewe such as this is best culled, because a prolapse causes permanent damage and it might happen again in the next lambing. Also, this disorder could be a genetic weakness so it is best not to keep either her or her lambs for breeding.
After the ewe has lambed, the best approach is to suture the vagina to hold it in, but it is not such a good idea to do this before she gives birth because the sutures must be removed at that time.
How to suture the vagina:
Before inserting the prolapse retainer, wash the prolapse free from all dirt and follow these procedures:
1. strap a rope or belt around her middle so that she cannot strain after your replace the prolapse. Tie a quarter of an inch (4.1 cm) rope securely around her flank in front of the udder, but not too tight that she is prevented from lying down or getting up. Once she goes into labor the rope must be removed.
2. wash your hands, and disinfect the loop.
3. wash the prolapse with cold (not hot), antiseptic water.
4. as you gently replace the vaginal lining a ewe may well urinate, so do not be surprised. The bulging of the prolapse may have blocked the opening to the urinary tract, and if prolonged, this blockage can turn to be fatal.
5. use a lubricant to assist in replacing the lining, and gently press out all the creases. This is much easier with the hind end elevated rather then when she is laying flat.
6. hold the vagina in place with one hand, insert the prolapse loop straight in, flat and horizontally.
7. the loop is held in place by either sutures or by tying it to clumps of wool if the ewe has not been sheared..
8. to reduce the risk of infection give her a shot of a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
There is no need to remove the retainer when the ewe lambs, but you can remove it as she goes into labor, however it is safer to leave it in place to protect against the prolapse recurring with the expulsion of the lamb.
A ewe such as this is best culled, because a prolapse causes permanent damage and it might happen again in the next lambing. Also, this disorder could be a genetic weakness so it is best not to keep either her or her lambs for breeding.
After the ewe has lambed, the best approach is to suture the vagina to hold it in, but it is not such a good idea to do this before she gives birth because the sutures must be removed at that time.
How to suture the vagina: