Poor lamb

[Ruaidhri]

i have a lamb born yesterday the ewe didn't open up properly and had to be lambed by vet.The lamb looks like it has broken ribs.will it survive? its shaking its tail alot but not dunging is this normal?what causes ewes to not open up properly is it lack of calcium?
sorry for all the questions a beginner to sheep.

 

[Blod]

When is it shaking it's tail? I think they just take a dump at that age. Tail shaking is for feeding. Has it passed the meconium? Ribs on a newborn lamb can look like their hinged just up from the sternum. If it's sucking and standing normally I would leave it alone. Not much can be done about damaged ribs in animals.

Ring womb can be caused by lack of calcium. Or it can be rushing in too quickly and the vet giving you a credible reason for lifting £50 off you.

 

[Ruaidhri]

the ewe was at the lambing for a few hours. well the lamb is standing but is sore and unsteady on its feet.no it hasnt passed meconium yet i dont think it has anyway.but will the lamb do if its ribs are broken?its sucking normally and stretching when its rose and seems otherwise healthy.

 

[Blod]

If it's stretching and sucking it would sound ok. I always think if an animal has a stretch it is going to be ok. It'll probably prove me wrong though If it's sucking it probably passed the meconium when you weren't looking. As long as it has a arse. If the ewes udder is slack and the lamb is stretching I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Ruaidhri]

my worry at the start was that it didn't have an arse but i checked for an opening.would there be a possibility that its constipated and would a little olive oil help? sheep have to love them

 

[hillman]

If worried about not dinging a shot of soapy water up rectum help clear out
Give 1/2 a dispirin or 2 ml calpol if worried about ribs

 

[Ruaidhri]

tried the soapy water worked a treat no calpol in the house though may go to the vet tomorrow for an injection.
thanks for the replies everyone very helpul