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SHEEP-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 146
Signs of this disease affecting your flock are marked by the death of a lot of lambs, which is also a sign of the disease enterotoxemia, and therefore difficult to determine the cause of death. Lambs show signs of depression, lameness, coma and death.
Feed that is at least than 50% roughage – that is hay and/or pasture – is safe for lambs, if you want to feed them grain it should be made very gradually.
Constipation:
When a lamb is constipated you will notice it standing hunched up in an uncomfortable manner. Its droppings are few and hard, sometimes they will grind their teeth. This problem must not be left untreated because the lamb could go into convulsions and die.
Most cases of constipation can be treated, including that caused by unpassed meconium (first manure passed). To treat lambs under 2 weeks old give them 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of vegetable oil, or 1 tablespoon (14.8ml) castor oil. For lambs as old as 2 months, carefully give a quarter to half a cup (59.1 – 118.3 ml) of vegetable oil. You may find the dose needs to be repeated two or three times.
Constipation can also be brought on by an external cause and is fairly common in lambs under 1 week. The early manure of a lamb is pasty and can collect and dry into a mass under its tail. This effectively plugs up the lamb, and should be dealt with immediately or else the lamb will die. To remove the manure plugs clean off the mass with a damp rag or such like, trim off some of the wool if necessary, disinfect the area if it is irritated and oil it lightly to prevent manure sticking. Lambs should be checked frequently.
If your lambs are born in the season of flystrike, these manure plugs are targeted by flies.
It is easier to keep your eye on the ewe and her lamb if they are kept in a pen for the first 3 days, and it is also easier to inspect them for any other possible problems.
It has been known, but is rare, for a lamb to be born without an anus. It is usually only after the first few days when the abdomen becomes distended, and discomfort is observed that this condition becomes apparent. Call your vet immediately so he can save the lamb by surgery.
Feed that is at least than 50% roughage – that is hay and/or pasture – is safe for lambs, if you want to feed them grain it should be made very gradually.
Constipation:
When a lamb is constipated you will notice it standing hunched up in an uncomfortable manner. Its droppings are few and hard, sometimes they will grind their teeth. This problem must not be left untreated because the lamb could go into convulsions and die.
Most cases of constipation can be treated, including that caused by unpassed meconium (first manure passed). To treat lambs under 2 weeks old give them 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of vegetable oil, or 1 tablespoon (14.8ml) castor oil. For lambs as old as 2 months, carefully give a quarter to half a cup (59.1 – 118.3 ml) of vegetable oil. You may find the dose needs to be repeated two or three times.
Constipation can also be brought on by an external cause and is fairly common in lambs under 1 week. The early manure of a lamb is pasty and can collect and dry into a mass under its tail. This effectively plugs up the lamb, and should be dealt with immediately or else the lamb will die. To remove the manure plugs clean off the mass with a damp rag or such like, trim off some of the wool if necessary, disinfect the area if it is irritated and oil it lightly to prevent manure sticking. Lambs should be checked frequently.
If your lambs are born in the season of flystrike, these manure plugs are targeted by flies.
It is easier to keep your eye on the ewe and her lamb if they are kept in a pen for the first 3 days, and it is also easier to inspect them for any other possible problems.
It has been known, but is rare, for a lamb to be born without an anus. It is usually only after the first few days when the abdomen becomes distended, and discomfort is observed that this condition becomes apparent. Call your vet immediately so he can save the lamb by surgery.