Pen strep for ewes

[Bexs1990]

Hi
First time lambing this year and just looking for Abit of advice.
ewes are due to lamb in the next few days, when administering pen strep if needed after lambing where would be best? Tbh any advice on using pen strep on sheep especially whilst lambing would be great.
Thank you bex

 

[Northeastfarmer]

In the arse

 

[JSmith]

In the arse

Better than know where I suppose

 

[M-J-G]

I'd avoid putting it actually in it's arse as I don't think it will do much good unless of course its a suppository

 

[M-J-G]

Better than know where I suppose

I know, it was highly educational advice!

 

[JSmith]

Sorry, an air of humour must of come over me, I shall revert to being a miserable git an leave you to do the educating!!

 

[M-J-G]

Sorry, an air of humour must of come over me, I shall revert to being a miserable git an leave you to do the educating!!

Apologies, I wasn't referring to your post, more to the less than intelligent one you had commented on

 

[CopperBeech]

To be fair the big back leg muscle is probably the best shout. But all remember it is multi day thing - i.e three or five day course.

 

[milkloss]

Hard lambing (probably should have a temperature really before you use AB's) in the leg
joint ill, bad navels in lambs (synulox might be better though) in the leg.
inturned eyelids on lambs (in the flesh below the eye inside the eyelid).... this needs practice.

 

[Bald n Grumpy]

Why are you using pen and strep?
Vet put in our health plan that it's " not so good for womb infections " suggested alamycin or amoxycillin would be better

 

[Al R]

Why are you using pen and strep?
Vet put in our health plan that it's " not so good for womb infections " suggested alamycin or amoxycillin would be better

That’s all I’ve ever used for anything is alamycin la and amoxicillin la, cheap enough and do the job, theirs only 1 other option if they don’t work.

Btw @Bexs1990 it’s rare I use an antibiotic at lambing, a really really really tough lambing, suspected mastitis, suspected watery mouth, retained cleansing, rotten lambs/abortion and prolapse would be the most common, wouldn’t do more than a few of each a season though.

 

[M-J-G]

To be fair the big back leg muscle is probably the best shout. But all remember it is multi day thing - i.e three or five day course.

For that reason I generally use a long acting OT for lambings

 

[wrenbird]

Surely the best person to seek advice from about reasons for use and how to administer would of been your vet when they prescribed it for the sheep at lambing?

 

[sheepdogtrail]

I would agree with @wrenbird, get a relationship going with a vet who can offer assistance as needed. Very least, you get together for 1 hour a year and talk about your plans so they can see how they can best support you throughout the year. At some point, they may need to come for a visit and if they already know where you are and have some understanding of who and what you are doing, it will be easier for them to get there. It should be obvious, but you will want to find a vet who knows at least something about sheep and their nutritional requirements. At the least. Try to find someone who can teach you to do certain things (blood draws, L&D, foot and FEC scores. Honestly, their is a lot that could happen with sheep. Luckily, hardly anything ever happens. But when it does, you will need vet support ASAP. They can get you tools that you can not reach.

In my experience, it would be abnormal to administer a antibiotic only because a ewe has had a lamb(s). Only in very special circumstances would I consider it. Typical and most atypical births need nothing at all with ewes with very strong maternal instincts. I hope you can find your vet near by. If not, at least, make sure you have someway of effectively getting their eyes on your sheep in real time if needed. FB Live if you have to. Ideally something more private.

 

[Filthyfarmer]

Why are you using pen and strep?
Vet put in our health plan that it's " not so good for womb infections " suggested alamycin or amoxycillin would be better

Up until this year we have used Alamycin but talking to my vet prior to this years lambing was recommended Trymox LA for womb infections , similar to Betamox but that's unavailable and Alamycin LA for feet.
Different vets different ideas I suppose.........

 

[CopperBeech]

For that reason I generally use a long acting OT for lambings

Agreed - hard lambing etc betamox la. More persistent problems and joint ill in lambs pen and strep.

 

[CopperBeech]

Up until this year we have used Alamycin but talking to my vet prior to this years lambing was recommended Trymox LA for womb infections , similar to Betamox but that's unavailable and Alamycin LA for feet.
Different vets different ideas I suppose.........

Alamycin feet and also watery mouth and pneumonia.

 

[CopperBeech]

Surely the best person to seek advice from about reasons for use and how to administer would of been your vet when they prescribed it for the sheep at lambing?

Not necessarily.... there are plenty of vets who don’t know bugger all about sheep really