Sucking up under rib

[sjewart]

Lamb born breech 4 days ago. Discovered in shed near to death 3 hours after birth. Took warm bath, rub, hairdryer and tube to get her going.

She sucks up badly under rib and struggles to breathe (very ruckly). Difficult to bottle her as its so bad.

Had metacam twice and Betamox once. Any hope for her?

 

[Agrivator]

Broken rib? Was it pulled out backwards?

 

[David.]

Broken ribs, if it's only on one side the prognosis is better.
If lamb sucks ok it will probably be fine in a few days. Keep going with Metacam anti inflammatory and pain relief.
If lamb looks proper miserable, which yours doesn't, tap on the head.

 

[sjewart]

Broken rib? Was it pulled out backwards?

No, the ewe birthed it herself at 4am. We discovered it in the shed 7am.

 

[sjewart]

Broken ribs, if it's only on one side the prognosis is better.
If lamb sucks ok it will probably be fine in a few days.

It's only on one side but the lamb is 4 days old and kinda pants which makes bottling difficult. A real struggle to get milk onto her.

 

[Stuart_NI]

No, the ewe birthed it herself at 4am. We discovered it in the shed 7am.

There's a chance the.ewe has broke it's ribs scraping trying to make it get up. A Jag of steroid eg. Colvasone is our preferred treatment for broken ribs.

 

[sjewart]

There's a chance the.ewe has broke it's ribs scraping trying to make it get up. A Jag of steroid eg. Colvasone is our preferred treatment for broken ribs.

Thank you, will remember that. Lamb died an hour ago.

 

[David.]

Shame.
Some are just born not to make it, a lamb that has not got up on its own is often not worth messing with, doesn't stop us trying though.

 

[sjewart]

Shame.
Some are just born not to make it, a lamb that has not got up on its own is often not worth messing with, doesn't stop us trying though.

That's a very valid point. Ewe didn't get up for a while after lambing it breech. Lamb shuffled about in the shed with head up for an hour before lying on its side and waiting 2 hours for us to discover it. Ewe wasn't that attentive but she left this lamb to birth the twin. The twin is fine but typically not the quality of the lamb we've just lost.