Last year we had 2 ewes prolapse after lambing. One I caught quickly harnessed up and no further problems. The other spat it all out - I'd never seen such a mess. I put it all back in strapped her up have the appropriate drugs and expected the worst in the morning. To my surprise, not only was she alive the next morning, she jumped out of her pen trying to get her cake. Anyway I usually mark these as culls but due to a cockup they where missed. Fast forward to this year I was expecting blood and guts from these two at least - but nothing. Not a single prolapse. All my barrens accounted for so these two definitely lambed with no ill effects. So, am I lucky or should we give prolapses another chance?
Have I been lucky?
- Thread starter Enfoff
- Start date
- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
There is no proof a ewe will prolapse again.
I used to cull all prolapse ewes, but I stopped. I don't retain ewe lambs from any ewe which does it, but the ewe doesn't get culled either.
But your ewes did it after lambing - usually a sign of a big lamb, possibly some internal tearing causing discomfort and constant pressing... you're luck in that the one who put her lamb bed out survived. It's usually bad when they get that far.
Nice to hear you've had no follow up issues this year
I used to cull all prolapse ewes, but I stopped. I don't retain ewe lambs from any ewe which does it, but the ewe doesn't get culled either.
But your ewes did it after lambing - usually a sign of a big lamb, possibly some internal tearing causing discomfort and constant pressing... you're luck in that the one who put her lamb bed out survived. It's usually bad when they get that far.
Nice to hear you've had no follow up issues this year
a few year ago i had 1 and i had to get the vet to put it back, way beyond my pay grade that. asked him if it should be culled and he said no as its not a problem after its lambed, never had to touch her again,
The tendency to prolapse (vaginal prolapse) is highly repeatable. We ear notch any that do it and cull them. Every now and again one slips through the net, and is retained. And invariably it prolapses again.
- Location
- Devon
Uterine prolapse (post lambing) not particularly repeatable.
Vaginal prolapse (pre lambing) highly repeatable.
If a trait is highly repeatable, it is also likely that it is also heritable. And if that is the case, as well as ear-notching ewes with vaginal prolapse, there is nothing to lose by ear-notching their female progeny, and certainly ringing their male offspring.
johnflimston
Member
- Location
- Glamorgan, Wales
Mine never prolapse twice.
- Tags
- lambing