Our little one is...(hope I'm not jinxing it)...thriving. She is 11 days old today, fat and happy. Even the coudy eyes cleared up, and I think she sees fine now. Is there anything cuter than that little 4-legged bouncing thing they do?? I would like very specific advice on what to vaccinate her with, and when. Also wondering when to band her tail. Thanks for all the previous advice, too!

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), May 15, 2001

Answers

That's great that she's doing well! She will ned a CD/T shot & then a booster 30 days later. Also Bo-Se if you are selenium deficient. You can band her tail anytime. Give her a tetanus anti-toxin when you do her tail. It takes a couple of weeks for the tetanus in the CD/T shot to take affect. The anti-toxin will cover her until the others kicks in. Good luck!

-- Wendy (weiskids@yahoo.com), May 15, 2001.

Shannon,do her tail now before it gets any bigger.We usually do ours before 3 days old. But as she was not very strong, its good you waited a bit. I leave the tail long enough so it covers the bare skin. Protects the lamb from bugbites and I believe, helps prevent rectal or vaginal prolapses from banding way too short.When you hold her tail up, you will notice a web of skin on each side. Band away from the body below this.Try to get the band between the cartilages. After the tail comes off, I dip the stump in iodine.You can also cut them off after a few days.

-- Kate henderson (kate@sheepyvalley.com), May 15, 2001.