Dr. Sherry Smith Dunnville Veterinary Clinic

Dr. Sherry Smith Dunnville Veterinary Clinic
PREPARING FOR LAMBING Dr. Sherry Smith Dunnville Veterinary Clinic

Lambing-Most Important Event of the Year

LAMBING TIME Most important time of year
Stressing due to increase demand in time and resources PREPARATION IS KEY

OBJECTIVES Getting Prepared Managing Ewes Preparing Facilities
3. Preparing Supplies

OBJECTIVES Lambing Signs of Lambing Stages of Lambing
Normal Versus Abnormal Presentation Assisted Lambing

OBJECTIVES Aftercare 1. Lambs 2. Ewe

A. Getting Prepared Managing the Ewe Nutrition
Vaccination and Deworming Shearing Lambing Records

Nutrition is Key!!!

Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Nutrition is the key to healthy ewes and healthy lambs Three periods of gestation -first two-three weeks of gestation -following 12 weeks-maintenance period -last 4-6 weeks of gestation

1. Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
First 2-3 Weeks of Gestation Slight weight gains after conception Good quality roughage and feedstuffs to reduce embryo mortality

Next 12 Weeks of Gestation Maintenance of pregnancy Body condition score ewes Use good quality roughages and feedstuffs AVOID MOLDY FEED Save highest quality feed for late gestation

Body Condition Scoring Estimates condition of muscling and fat development Based on feeling of level of muscle and fat deposited over and around vertebrae in loin region Central spine, Spinous process and Transverse process

Body Condition Score-3-3.5 Average Weight Spinous Processes-smooth and less prominent; moderate pressure required to feel between them

Body Condition Score-3-3.5 Loin muscle is full with moderate fat cover Transverse process smooth with firm pressure needed to push fingers under edge

Body Condition Scoring in Sheep

Last 4-6 Weeks of Gestation Critical period Period of largest weight gain Period of greatest fetal growth

Last 4-6 Weeks of Gestation Start feeding grain May need to add concentrates Provide mineral-salt mixture free choice Provide sufficient feeder space

Inadequate Nutrition during Gestation Metabolic Dx (ex. Pregnancy Toxemia) Weak lambs at birth Increased lamb mortality

Inadequate Nutrition during Gestation Decreased birth weight Decreased milk production Slower lamb gains

Poor Nutrition during Gestation= Weak Lambs

Metabolic Disorders in the Transition Ewe Transition period-4 wks pre-lambing to 2-3 weeks post-lambing Short period of time-radical metabolic changes in ewe

Metabolic Disorders in the Transition Ewe Ewes are facing -final stages of gestation -onset of lactation -intake and appetite fluctuations -diet transitions -fluctuations in hormone levels

Metabolic Disorders in the Transition Ewes Pregnancy Toxemia Milk Fever

Pregnancy Toxemia low glucose concentration in the blood excessive breakdown of body fat primary cause-inadequate nutrition during the last 1/3 of pregnancy

Pregnancy Toxemia At Risk Overconditioned ewes Underconditioned ewes Ewes with multiple fetus

Managing the Ewe-Nutrition
Pregnancy Toxemia-Clinical Signs Off-feed Lethargic Lagging behind rest of flock Poor muscle control Walking aimlessly

Pregnancy Toxemia-Clinical Signs Teeth grinding Twitching Eventually unable to rise If untreated-DEATH

Pregnancy Toxemia in a Ewe

Pregnancy Toxemia-Treatment Early Stages Propylene Glycol Yogourt and Water Force Feeding Vitamin B12

Pregnancy Toxemia-Treatment Later Stages IV glucose Ewe may require a C-section

Pregnancy Toxemia-Prevention Adequate energy in ration Exercise Avoid abrupt feed changes

Pregnancy Toxemia-Prevention Prevent stress Adequate feeder space Ensure moderate body condition Prevent ewes from becoming obese Separate timid/thin ewes

Ensure adequate feeder space

Milk Fever Acute hypocalcemia Occurs in late pregnancy to early lactation Cause-increase demand for calcium

Milk Fever-Clinical Signs Weakness Ataxia Muscle trembling

Milk Fever-Clinical Signs Decreased appetite Progresses to inability to stand If untreated-DEATH

Milk Fever At Risk: Old Ewes Ewes with multiple fetus

Milk Fever in a Ewe

Milk Fever-Treatment IV, PO, or SQ Calcium

Milk Fever-Prevention Exercise and proper nutrition Good loose mineral mix Calcium supplementation

1. Managing the Ewe- Vaccination and Deworming
Vaccination for Clostridium Late pregnancy risk of high levels of parasites

Deworming in a ewe

1. Managing the Ewe-Shearing
Dependent on time of year and availability of shelter 2-3 weeks prior to lambing If don’t shear-Crutch

Shearing a ewe

Crutching a ewe

Record Keeping is Important!!!

1. Managing the Ewe- Lambing Records
Important Cull ewes with lambing problems Do not keep offspring of ewes with lambing problems

Lambing Pen

2. Preparing Facilities Prepare 1 week prior to lambing
Clean and fresh bedding Draft-free Lambing pens-1 per 10 ewes Lambing jugs-small ewe-4 ft by 4 ft -large ewe/multiple births-5 ft by 5 ft

Preparing Supplies Lambing Kit Colostrum and Milk Replacer

3. Preparing Supplies-Lambing Kit
Soap Disinfectant Obstetrical lubricant Syringes and needles Antibiotics

3. Preparing Supplies-Lambing Kit
Vitamin E and Se Lamb cords and lamb snare Navel disinfectant-iodine based Clean towels or cloths Clean pail for warm water

3. Preparing Supplies-Colostrum and Milk Replacer
Can be ewe or cow

3. Preparing Supplies-Colostrum
Very important Can be fresh or frozen (in 500 cc units)

3. Preparing Supplies-Colostrum
Three roles Protective Laxative Nutritional

Lambing Normal gestation period is from 140-150 days Signs of Lambing
Stages of Lambing Normal Versus Abnormal Presentation Assisted Lambing

B. Lambing-Signs of Lambing
Behavioral Changes Separation and/or isolation Territorial Pawing at ground Restless, nervous or uncomfortable

Behavioral Changes Up and down Tail switching Frequent urination Decreased appetite

Physiological Changes Increase respiration Sides caving in Vulvar area swollen Mucous discharge Teats enlarged

B. Lambing-Stages of Lambing
Dilation of the cervix Expulsion of the lamb Expulsion of the afterbirth

Dilation of the cervix -2 to 14 hours -Uterine contractions -White mucus plug is passed -Cervix dilates -Ewe is uneasy

Stage 1 Lambing

b. Expulsion of the Lamb -Less than 2 hours -Stronger and more frequent contractions -Waterbags and lamb pushed through cervix -1st waterbag ruptures

Stage 2 Lambing

Expulsion of the Lamb -2nd waterbag pushes through vulva and ruptures -Forefeet first, followed by head -May take considerable effort to pass head and shoulders

Expulsion of the afterbirth -5-8 hours after lambing -multiple births-separate afterbirths

Stage 3 Lambing

B. Lambing-Normal Versus Abnormal Presentation
Two Forelimbs and a head between them

Normal Birthing Presentation

Normal Delivery Five hours from start of cervical dilation to delivery of the lamb

Signs of Abnormal Deliveries -straining and no signs of waterbag for 1 hour -continues to strain an hour after rupture of waterbags and no signs of lambs -lamb appears wedged in the birth canal -abnormal presentation

Lambing-Normal Versus Abnormal Presentation
To Determine If Normal Presentation: -is fetus facing forward or backwards -compare anatomy of fetus to ewe -follow legs to body of the fetus -determine normal posture of fetus

B. Lambing –Normal Versus Abnormal Presentation
Abnormal Presentations One or both forelimbs back Head back Hind legs instead of forelegs One or both hindlegs back

REMEMBER Assistance will be needed if you see the above signs of abnormal deliveries ANY DELAY COULD MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIVE AND DEAD LAMBS!

B. Lambing-Assisted Lambing
Secure ewe Wash hind end Scrub hands and arms WEAR GLOVES-REMEMBER ZOONOTIC ORGANISMS! Lubricate

Assisted Lambing

Slide hand into vagina; assess situation Is cervix dilated?-IF NOT-DON’T PULL LAMB Correct abnormal position Don’t convert posterior position to anterior position

For Normal Delivery Place noose of lambing cord over each leg Lubricate birth canal Apply steady pulls synchronized with ewe’s contractions Once head and forelimbs out pull side to side and downwards

Assisted Birth

Posterior Presentation

For Posterior Presentation Pull lamb’s hind legs first-straight back Once hind legs and pelvis are out-change pull downwards towards the ground

Twins Reach in and feel which parts belong to which lamb Try to straighten lamb’s positions Push one lamb back to allow other to come first.

Abnormal Presentations

Positions-head back

Abnormal Presentation
Head Back Correction-push lamb back and reach in and gently search for head and try to position face forward

Positions-one or both hindlegs back

Abnormal Presentations
One or both hind legs back Correction-push lamb forward and gently grab one of the rear legs and place it in the birth canal. Repeat with the second leg.

Positions-breach and upside down

Abnormal Presentations
Breach and Upside Down Correction-push lamb forward, turn lamb and repeat procedure for hind legs back.

Positions-one or both forelegs back

Abnormal Presentation
One or both front legs back Correction-push body back, gently grabbing and repositioning the front leg. Repeat with other front leg.

Remember Large lambs may require c-sections Deformed lambs-MAY REQUIRE VETERINARY ASSISTANCE Multiple births are common; multiple placentas Check ewe after birthing

C. Aftercare Lamb Ewe

C. Aftercare-Lamb Ensure it is breathing; clear nostrils
Clip and dip umbilical cord Need to nurse or tube-feed colostrum within 6-8 hours after birth

C. Aftercare-Lamb Colostrum First milk produced by ewe
Provides energy, protein, vitamins, minerals and WBC Require 10% of BW within 24 hours

C. Aftercare-Lamb Colostrum
Unable to absorb antibodies from colostrum after 36 hours Do not heat up colostrum Do not dilute colostrum with water

C. Aftercare-Lamb Weak Lamb Help nurse
Provide supplemental heat if cold If unable to suckle-tube-feed

Hotbox for lambs

Tube Feeding Lamb

Aftercare-Lamb Tube-feeding Warm colostrum
Sanitize feeding tube and syringe Measure length of feeding-tube Restrain animal

C. Aftercare-Lamb Tube-feeding Hold head; Insert feeding-tube
Check to see if in esophagus Allow colostrum to trickle down esophagus Needs 10% of BW of colostrum Crimp feeding-tube as you withdraw

C. Aftercare-Ewe Ensure ewe and lamb bond
Examine ewe internally for other fetus +/- oxytocin Antibiotics if you had to intervene Anti-inflammatories for pain

Ewe bonding with lamb

C. Aftercare-Ewe Fresh hay and water Gradually re-introduce grain
Complete lambing records and ID lambs Place in small groups of 6-10 ewes, 1-2 days after lambing

Aftercare-Ewe Post-lambing problems Mastitis Prolapsed Uterus

Aftercare-Ewe Mastitis Inflammation of the udder
Caused by physical injury, stress or bacteria Production costs-Txt, premature culling and decreased performance of lambs.

Aftercare-Ewe Mastitis
Seen shortly after lambing until post-weaning period

Aftercare-Ewe Mastitis Several Forms Clinical Mastitis Severe Mastitis
Subclinical Mastitis

Ewe with Mastitis

C. Aftercare-Ewe Mastitis Treatment Antibiotics Anti-inflammatories
Stripping quarters Supplementing Lambs

C. Aftercare-Ewe Mastitis Prevention Good management and sanitation
Good drainage Prevent overcrowding Prevent respiratory dx in lambs

C. Aftercare-Ewe Prolapsed Uterus Everted uterus
Extends from vulva –can extend to below hocks Prominent caruncles may be present Afterbirth may be present

Prolapsed uterus in a Ewe

Aftercare-Ewe Prolapse Uterus
Results from powerful abdominal straining Immediately after birthing or after hour interval

C. Aftercare-Ewe Prolapse Uterus Due to Prolonged labour
Pain arising from infection or swelling of posterior reproductive tract

Aftercare-Ewe Prolapse Uterus CALL VET
Uterus is replaced correctly and fully inverted Vulvar sutures Antibiotics

Questions????

Dr. Sherry Smith Dunnville Veterinary Clinic

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