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SHEEP-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 178
If you have to reposition a lamb, be careful not to break the umbilical cord. Should it break, the lamb will attempt to breathe, and will suck amniotic fluid into its lungs, when this happens they do not survive and die before birth. Occasionally one will survive but it will suffer from pneumonia and die a day or so later.
If you have to help the ewe, time your pulling to coincide with the ewe's labor contractions. If she is tired and stopped trying, pull on the lamb's legs, this usually starts her off again.
Ringwomb:
This is caused by the failure of the cervix to properly dilate, and is one of the most common causes for problems during lambing.
In a normal birth, the cervix softens and dilates concurrently with the uterine contractions. In ringwomb the contractions start without softening and dilation of the cervix.
There are several possible causes for this problem, including infection, hypocalcaemia, and high concentrations of estrogenic compounds in feeds.
If a ewe has ringwomb call your vet who will deliver the lamb by cesarean section. If a vet is not available, you can help by trying gently to stretch the cervix manually with your fingers.
LAMB POSITIONS
As we mentioned earlier, the good news is that the majority of lambs are born without any trouble, and do not require any help. The following first explains the characteristics of a normal birth, followed by various problems that you most likely will not encounter, but need to be aware of just in case.
Normal birth:
In a normal birth the nose and both front feet present themselves first, and the lamb's back is toward the ewe's back. About half an hour to an hour after the ewe has passed the water bag, the lamb should start to appear. This is the most common position, and the ewe will not need your help unless the lamb is large or has a large head or shoulders which is our next subject for discussion.
If you have to help the ewe, time your pulling to coincide with the ewe's labor contractions. If she is tired and stopped trying, pull on the lamb's legs, this usually starts her off again.
Ringwomb:
This is caused by the failure of the cervix to properly dilate, and is one of the most common causes for problems during lambing.
In a normal birth, the cervix softens and dilates concurrently with the uterine contractions. In ringwomb the contractions start without softening and dilation of the cervix.
There are several possible causes for this problem, including infection, hypocalcaemia, and high concentrations of estrogenic compounds in feeds.
If a ewe has ringwomb call your vet who will deliver the lamb by cesarean section. If a vet is not available, you can help by trying gently to stretch the cervix manually with your fingers.
LAMB POSITIONS
As we mentioned earlier, the good news is that the majority of lambs are born without any trouble, and do not require any help. The following first explains the characteristics of a normal birth, followed by various problems that you most likely will not encounter, but need to be aware of just in case.
Normal birth:
In a normal birth the nose and both front feet present themselves first, and the lamb's back is toward the ewe's back. About half an hour to an hour after the ewe has passed the water bag, the lamb should start to appear. This is the most common position, and the ewe will not need your help unless the lamb is large or has a large head or shoulders which is our next subject for discussion.