Two days ago , a first time Romney gave birth to a large lamb with no assistance. Her afterbirth appeared to be quite a lot and more blood than I normally see. But she seemed fine and was up and about. Than 36 hours after the first lamb, she appeared to be having a vaginal prolapse and upon examining her, I discovered that it was actually a foot protruding. I called the vet and she thought I could either leave her alone and the lamb would decompose naturally and be less traumatic to the ewe or I could manually dilate her now closed cervix and remove the lamb. I didn't like the risk of infection with that foot out, so opted to dilate her and after an hour and a half removed a 10 pound ram lamb that was breech and quite dead. I have the ewe on penicillin now and she is up and eating well and taking care of the firstborn alright. Did I do the right thing and could I safely breed her next fall. Her contractions and labor ended suddenly after the first one was born Something new every year! Kate Henderson

-- Kate henderson (kate@sheepyvalley.com), April 11, 2001

Answers

dear kate, my first romney had her first babe so big that i had to get it out of her in parts. it was awful first time experience for both of us. however the following year she gave birth successfully to twins and the same thereafter for 8 years with no problem. last year my alpine doe had a huge still born, also had to pull it out of her. but this year she successfully had beautiful, healthy twins. first time birth is not an indicator of the future. i'm sure she will be fine next time around. laura

-- laura cavallari (ladygoat13@aol.com), April 11, 2001.

Kate keep her on her meds, can't believe the vet didn't offer more advice, espeically upon removal of the last lamb! Did you have another placenta? You could have infused the uterus with antibiotics making the chance of infection that much lower. It's any resulting infection that will make the ewe sterile. Keep a close eye on her temp, if it goes up at all, you will want to use a better drug, I would have chosen Tylan 200 anyway, than penicillin. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), April 11, 2001.

decomposing lambs is a killer to the ewe. I had one that had dead twins in her without me knowing they had died. We spent two weeks briings this ewe back from the dead with much stronger anibiotics, I even used enemas with anibiotics. When ever I see a foot without contractions I pull! Almost all my ewelambs had trouble this year, I will never allow the first year ewes with the ram again. I had six pregnant ewelambs, one died, three lost their babies and two had no problems and are feeding their babies wonderfully. So, 2 out of 6 is not good! Now all my older ewes were fine and second year ewes the same.

-- Debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), April 12, 2001.