1. This presentation was originally given on December 6, 2008, at a Lambing and Kidding School at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES).

2. Problems encountered and how to address them
Susan Schoenian Sheep & Goat Specialist Western Maryland Research & Education Center University of Maryland Cooperative Extension –

3. Lambing and kidding
Most ewes and does will lamb and kid on their own and take care of their offspring.
It is best to leave them alone.
Don’t make things more complicated than they need to be.
Cull ewes and does with problems.
Do not keep offspring from females that have problems.

4. Problems encountered before lambing and kidding
Pregnancy toxemia
Milk fever
Vaginal prolapse
Abortion storm

5. Pregnancy toxemia also called ketosis, twin lamb disease, and lambing paralysis
Low blood glucose caused by inadequate intake of energy intake during last month of pregnancy.
Breakdown of fat produces toxic ketone bodies.

6. Pregnancy toxemia What are the symptoms? Lag behind flock Droopy
Lack of appetite
Lethargy
Recumbency
Death

7. Pregnancy toxemia Who’s most susceptible?
Females carrying multiple fetuses
Thin females
Fat females
Timid females

8. Pregnancy toxemia Early intervention is necessary.
Treatment is to administer glucose to affected females.
Orally
Under the skin (Sub-Q)
Intravenous (IV)
In advanced cases, a caesarian section may be necessary.

9. Milk fever hypocalcemia
Low blood calcium
Caused by intake of too little or too much calcium (failure to mobilize calcium).

10. Milk fever What are the symptoms? Lack behind flock Lack of appetite
Lethargy
Unsteadiness
Recumbency
Similar to pregnancy toxemia

11. Milk fever Early recognition is necessary,
Treatment is calcium therapy.
Oral
Under skin (sub-Q)
Intravenous (IV)

12. Vaginal prolapse Protrusion of vagina Causes . . . . ?
Genetic predisposition
Lack of exercise
Obesity
Hormonal imbalances

13. Spoon/bearing retainer
Vaginal prolapse
Need to clean and put back in.
Can keep in with a bearing retainer (spoon), prolapse harness, or bailing twine.
A stitch will also keep prolapse in.
A ewe can lamb through the spoon and harness, but the stitch must be removed.
Usually cures itself after lambing.
Spoon/bearing retainer
harness

14. Vaginal prolapse Ewes that prolapse are likely to prolapse again.
There is a genetic component, so you should not keep or sell (for breeding) lambs born to these ewes.
Rectal prolapse

15. Abortion Non-infectious Infectious [Affects entire litter]
Campylobacter fetus (vibrio)
Chlamydia sp. (enzootic)
Toxoplasmosis
Leptospirosis
Cache Valley

16. During an abortion storm
Isolation and sanitation.
Do not feed on ground.
Destroy infected placenta and fetuses.
Submit samples to diagnostic lab.
Immediate vaccination.
Feed oxytetracycline or tetracycline.
Give remaining females antibiotic injections.

17. During lambing and kidding
Dystocia
Ringwomb
Malpresentations
Oversized fetus
Aborted fetus(es)

18. Ringwomb Failure of the cervix to dilate.
Affects females of any age or breed, especially those bearing multiple offspring.
Inadequate hormone preparation.
Study showed ringworm was result of autosomal recessive trait.

19. Ringwomb Administration of calcium and/or estrogen.
Manipulate the cervix to open it up.
A caesarian section is often the only way to save the female and offspring.
Does not occur in successive seasons.

20. Assisting with difficult births
Normal presentation
2 front legs and nose
Backwards presentation
It is best to leave the ewe or doe alone.
Check female if she has not made progress after ~ 1 hour of hard labor (after water bag has broke).
Use plenty of lubricant.
Elevate hindquarters or have ewe or doe stand.
Seek assistance after 30 minutes of work with no progress.

21. Malpresentations Elbow lock One or more legs back Head back Breech
Upside down
Multiple fetuses trying to be born at the same time.
Swollen head.
Disproportionate size.
Dead or deformed fetuses.

22. Problems encountered after lambing and kidding
Uterine prolapse
No milk
Inadequate milk
Retained placenta
Uterine infection
Lack of appetite

23. Uterine prolapse Occurs sporadically Protrusion of the uterus
Is a life-threatening condition.
Cause ?
Obesity
Genetic predisposition
Low calcium
Exposure to estrogens
Excessive traction
Retained fetal membranes
Lack of exercise

24. Uterine prolapse Prompt and correct replacement of uterus
Thorough cleaning.
Elevate hindquarters.
Sugar can reduce swelling of uterus.
Antibiotics + oxytocin
Usually requires veterinary assistance.
Does not occur in subsequent parturitions.

25. No milk Some females do not let them milk down immediately.
Some females never let their milk down.
An injection of oxytocin may help.
Sometimes, it takes a few days for yearlings to come into sufficient milk.
Will need to feed colostrum to lambs/kids.

26. Inadequate milk Caused by . . .
Inadequate nutrition during late gestation.
Excess fat in the udder caused by overfeeding prepubertal ewe lambs and doelings.
Udder disease.
Genetic predisposition.
Will need to supplement, graft, or artificially rear lambs or kids.

27. Disowning offspring Why? Most common in first-time mothers.
Offspring are delivered in different places
One offspring wonders away
Offspring have sharp teeth.
Sore udder or teats
Long labor
Sickness
Fear
Use a head stanchion to allow lambs/kids to nurse or graft, or artificially rear disowned babies.
Get rid of females that disown offspring twice.

28. Colostrum substitutes CAE and OPP are transmitted via virus-contaminated colostrum and milk.
Colostrum from another female in the flock.
Colostrum from another sheep or goat farm.
Cow colostrum
Colostrum substitutes
Colostrum supplements
Homemade colostrum
Milk replacer

29. Feeding colostrum Tube feeding is better than bottle feeding.
Feed colostrum at body temperature.
Thaw frozen colostrum slowly.
Feed 2-4 ounces at 3 to 4 hour intervals.
Newborn should consume 10% of its body weight in colostrum.

30. Raising orphan lambs/kids
Bottle with nipples for small number of lambs or kids.
Milk bar for larger number of lambs or kids.
Lamb milk replacer for lambs
Kid milk replacer for kids.
Follow directions on bag.
Wean abruptly at approximately six weeks of age, so long as babies are drinking water and eating dry food.

31. Retained placenta
Usually passed 30 to 60 minutes after delivery of last offspring.
If not . . .
Monitor closely.
Slight tug of placenta – do not pull hard.
Administer antibiotics 2x day,
Administer oxytocin or prostaglandins. [veterinary involvement]

32. Lack of appetite Uterine infection Mastitis Pneumonia Ketosis Acidosis
Feed changes

33. Enjoy lambing and kidding