Exam 3 Flashcards
(30 cards)
4-6 weeks pre-lambing
-sheer or crutch ewes (sheer around vulva, tail, udder)
-Vaccinate
-Increase nutrition
-Increase bunk space
- Adjust feed time
- Sort off thin or fat ewes
- prepare lambing supplies
- Set up jugs
Stressors to avoid
- transportation
- handling
- dogs
- visitors
- mixing of groups
- bunk space
- decline/change in nutrition
- weather
Lambing supplies
- Clostridial vaccines
-Colostrum and milk replacer - Disinfectant/iodine
- docking/castration equipment
- identification supplies
- stomach tube and bottle
- halter
- lamb puller
- antibiotics and/or supplements
- needles and syringes
- OB gloves and lubricant
- prolapse harness
- record keeping
- scale
- scalpel or scissors
- thermometer
- towels
Encourage exercise pre lambing
-Drive sheep (at moderate pace)
- feed away from barn
- scatter feeders & roughage
- separate feed and water
- in snow - plow a path
Parturition
- 24 hour process
- late night or early morning
- feeding btw 11am-1pm 75-85% of ewes lamb btw 6am&6pm
Lambing jugs
-15% of flock
- 4x4 for small ewes 5x5 for larger ewes or 3+ lambs
- heat lamps
- secure buckets
- clean bedding
A few days before parturition
- lamb drops, back appears swayed and sunken in at hips
- udders up
- mucous discharge
- swollen vulva
- nesting begins
- may back off feed
Stage 1 of labor
- uneasiness
- kicking
- pawing at the ground
- getting up and down frequently
- frequent urination
- separates from others
-cervical dilation - ends with fetus entering birth canal
Stage 2 of labor
- contractions become stronger adn more frequent
- waterbag appears
- foot or leg appears
- end with a lamb
- lasts 1-2 hrs 15-30 min per lamb
Stage 3 of labor
- placenta or afterbirth is passed
- 30-60 min after birth
- ewes usually eat afterbirth as defense mechanism
- treat retained placentas after 12 hrs - causes abortion agent, calcium deficiency, dystocia
When to help
-If stage 1 lasts longer than 8 hrs
- in stage 2 is ewe is straining for 30 minutes w no progress
- major signs of istress
- ewe is weak and tired
- lamb not presenting normally
Normal birth presentation
Superman
Breech
butt first
Dystocia
- abortion
- lamb too big
- no cervical dilation
- deformed lamb
- vaginal prolapse
- mispresentation
Pregnancy toxemia
- ketosis
Causes of ketosis
- Not enough energy intake in late gestation
- OR mobilizing of ketone bodies due to over-conditioned
Clinical signs of ketosis
-not eating
-lethargic
- lameness
-rapid weight loss
- sweet smelling breath
Ketosis treatment
-sort off ewes
-early: 60ml of propylene glycol orally, CMPK, change feed to nutrient densse
- late: 60-100 ml dextrose IV, induce lambing
Ketosis Prevention
Provide balanced nutrition late in gestation
- sort for BCS
Abortion causes
- Vibriosis, Chlamydia, toxoplamosis
- fecal oral abortive agents
- carried by rodents, birds, felines, and other animals
-can be zoonotic
Clinical signs of abortion
- some are never seen
- tough, thick placenta
- dark red/purple placenta
- weak, lifeless lambs being born
Abortion prevention
- feed in bunks
- clean up abortions and isolate ewe
- keep cats and rodents out of feed source
- Isolate naive ewes - do not mix
-vaccinate
-antibiotics/vet feed directive of ewes with history of issues
Abortion treatments
Antibiotics
Retained placenta causes
- calcium deficiency
- abortion
- dystocia
