Lambing - Ewes

Common abortion pathogens

Toxoplasma
Enzootic abortion (chlamydophila abortus)
Campylobacter
Salmonella
Q-Fever

What to do during an abortion?

Wear gloves
Isolate ewe
Burn/incinerate/bag up foetus and contaminated bedding
Disinfect clothing before other contact

Other zoonotic risks associated with lambing

E.coli
Salmonella
Cryptosporidium
Orf
Ringworm (rare)

How can lambing zoonotic risks be reduced?

Good personal hygiene
Protective clothing
Don't eat drink or smoke in lambing shed

Why is feeding a good time to observe the ewes

Not coming for food = problem
See if they're BAR
See any progressions from behind

Neurological issues during pregnancy for the ewes

CCN
Hypocalcaemia
Pregnancy toxaemia
Hypomagnesaemia
Listeriosis

What diseases in pregnant ewes can recumbency be a sign of?

toxaemia
septicaemia
mastitis
peritonitis
lameness
exhaustion

Stage 1 of Parturition

Takes 6-12 hrs

Uterine contractions

Cervix dilates

Passing of water bag

Signs

restlessness

separation from group

increased RR

Stage 2 of Parturition

Takes 30 mins - 1 hr

abdominal straining

foetus through vagina

Signs

recumbency

strains

grunts

head up

Stage 3 of Parturition

takes 3-4 hours
expulsion of foetal membranes 'after birth'

When should you intervene with lambing?

Head or tail only
> 60 mins after water bag w/out progress
Lamb not advanced for 15 mins
> 30 mins between lambs

Important rules for assisting ewe parturition

Be clean

gloves

bucket of water and antiseptic

Clean perineum

Be gentle

lubricant

second person to restrain (if available)

Be patient

if cervix not dilated return in 20 mins

can be detrimental

How to tell a frontleg vs a hindleg?

Front

fetlock and hock flex same way (U)

Hindleg

fetlock and hock flex different ways

How to deal with a vaginal prolapse (pre-partum)

NSAIDs and antibiotics
clean and lubricate
replace
retain using a truss/harness
Px = cull

How to deal with a uterine prolapse (post-partum)

clean and moist covering
Epidural (veterinary)
raise hindquarter
clean & remove foetal membranes
Replace
Antibiotics and NSAID