Prolapse near to lambing

[MissGilly]

Hi, can anyone advise please. We have a ewe due to lamb this week. We saw a prolapse, which we thought was a lamb, then got vet out who stitched it, but she said to remove them when she starts to lamb.... How do you know? How often should we check her? This is only our second year with sheep, last year they all lambedon their own, including this one who had twins. Any advise would be very welcome. Thanks

 

[puppet]

Just keep looking, no easy answer

 

[MissGilly]

Just keep looking, no easy answer

Thanks for answering. How can I check though? The vet left a space in the stitches but can the water bags fit through or would they burst & I check if there's water around her? She's penned off on her own & hasn't stood up in 2 days. According to scan she's due on the 16th.

 

[An ancient git]

Like puppet says , keep looking . Pita job . If you win , cull her once weaned ! Vet won't have left much space or she'd push out again .

 

[Bury the Trash]

Thanks for answering. How can I check though? The vet left a space in the stitches but can the water bags fit through or would they burst & I check if there's water around her? She's penned off on her own & hasn't stood up in 2 days. According to scan she's due on the 16th.

She needs to stand / be able to stand or else she wont survive im afraid , help her stand up/ lift her asap and prop her up if need be, so she can pee and have a drink at least.

The longer she is prone the less chance there is of a good outcome anyway.

 

[An ancient git]

The 'downer' job IS the biggest concern ! Try drenching her with 100mls of Ewego (think right name) , and repeat ongoing . If not up very soon you've lost battle ........

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Thanks for answering. How can I check though? The vet left a space in the stitches but can the water bags fit through or would they burst & I check if there's water around her? She's penned off on her own & hasn't stood up in 2 days. According to scan she's due on the 16th.

You’ll know when she starts lambing...it’ll be just when you’re washed and dressed in your best clothes and about to go out for tea

 

[Agrivator]

The plastic spoon will allow a ewe to lamb just like any normal birth. But there is a 10% chance that the first lamb at least will end up with the end of the spoon in its mouth, which is normally fatal if you're not there in time to pull the spoon out.

 

[Still Farming]

Water bag out, heaving, lambs head or feet showing or felt close to exit?
Have you been farming or farming sheep for long?

 

[Limcrazy]

Would never stitch a prolapsed ewe again. Now use nettex blue harness very successfully. If you see a water bag or think they're lambing just unclip it and check or lamb. Can be clipped on again in case it prolapsed after cleaning. Definitely one hatefull job less to do at lambing time.

 

[Estate fencing.]

I don't know why anyone would stitch a ewe (vet making the job look more complicated). Buy a harness for next year, had a disaster with 80 prolapses last year and 90% manged to lamb through them, the rest probably would have but was easier to take them off and lamb the ewe.
You will know when she starts lambing but as said I would be more concerted with her not being on her feet.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

I don't know why anyone would stitch a ewe (vet making the job look more complicated). Buy a harness for next year, had a disaster with 80 prolapses last year and 90% manged to lamb through them, the rest probably would have but was easier to take them off and lamb the ewe.
You will know when she starts lambing but as said I would be more concerted with her not being on her feet.

80?! You must of had a hefty harness bill

 

[Estate fencing.]

80?! You must of had a hefty harness bill

It was over 2 lambing's had 50 on indoor lambers and 30 on outdoor later. The ewes just had to good a winter last year.

 

[Chris123]

It was over 2 lambing's had 50 on indoor lambers and 30 on outdoor later. The ewes just had to good a winter last year.

Out of how many ewes?

 

[Chris123]

I’m suspect the ops ewe may have rotten lambs in her, not many recover here from that if she can’t get them out. Would jab her with calcium don’t know if you have in case it is twin lamb as well

 

[DavyG]

Another vote for the harness. I don't use the spoon with them, and if its on properly they have a chance of lambing through it if you miss her. Another vote for helping her up. Good luck with her but you certainly don't win them all. If they don't drink and haven't for a couple of days you might consider carefully drenching some water in to her a few times a day. Sounds silly but if you think what you would want in her position you won't be far astray.

 

[Estate fencing.]

Out of how many ewes?

800.

 

[MissGilly]

Water bag out, heaving, lambs head or feet showing or felt close to exit?
Have you been farming or farming sheep for long?

This is our second year. We only have 8 ewes. The one with the prolapse had twins last year but one didn't stand up & she left it. I tube fed him colostrum like the vet said but he died a few hours later.

 

[Greythundercloudys]

Had two ewes this week put the water bag out along with prolapse, only one out come for them lm afraid.

 

[MissGilly]

Like puppet says , keep looking . Pita job . If you win , cull her once weaned ! Vet won't have left much space or she'd push out again .

We've been checking her every 2 hours. She's moved about 3 feet, we're giving her water, nuts mixed with soya supplement & hay. She's enormous & takes 2 of us to lift her. There's no sign of any water bags or pushing. Just rang the vet to come out again, third time. We're thinking of asking her if it's possible to get the lambs out & put her down.. I can't tell if she's in pain cos she just sits there, drugged up with painkillers & antibiotics. I'll keep you posted & thanks to everyone for the advice