Well, if you will remember, I am keeping two pregnant Ewes for my friend. Today around 11 a.m. I noticed the younger of the two pawing the ground and showing some discomfort. She continued this until 3 p.m. and then she delivered the head and one leg of a little lamb. I reached in to assist her, and found that the other leg was twisted around the lambs back and blocking his arrival, so I untangled it and the mom pushed him out quickly. When he was out, he wasn't breathing, so I gave him a puff or two and got him to breathing on his own (anyone else give their animals mouth to mouth??)I then noticed that blood was PUMPING out of his umbilical cord, only there wasn't any umbilical cord there! There was just pumping blood from a hole where the umbilical cord should have been. I clamped it off tightly with my fingers, but it still kept coming. At this time a friend of mine arrived and she clamped it while I ran for the phone and called the vet. I have a wonderful large animal vet here in Flagstaff and he doesn't hesitant to tell me stuff on the phone; not one time did he say, "well if you can bring him up here....". He told me to get the stronger iodine (7%) and dose the area and using a pair of pliers pinch the cord area thus collapsing the artery. Well, by golly it worked!! The little guy lost lots of blood and was very weak, so I carried it in the house and stomach tubed him (this was after trying to milk the ewe....she out weighs me by about 250 lbs....and it was 20 degrees with a blowing wind today and my fingers were frozen). Gave him colostrum, a bo-se shot, and a shot of penicillin. He doesn't look well. The area keeps breaking open and bleeding. If he makes it through the night, I will carry him to the vet in the morning for stitching. While talking to the vet on the phone, he asked if the ewe was still laboring with another lamb. I told him I believed she was. He said not to wait to long before checking, as most likely the cord broke because it was wound around the body of another lamb in the womb. So, after caring for the first little guy as well as I could, I went out to check the ewe. Sure enough, there was another little guy in there; dead. He was folded nearly in two, and it took me quite some time to straighten him out to deliver him. Sure enough, there was cords wrapped around him. What an adventure for my first lambings. I have given the ewe penicillin and probios. My heart aches for her. The other ewe looks eminent herself. I pray it is not tonight, as my husband is out of town and it is -3 already. In His Grace, Sissy

-- Sissy Barth (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), February 01, 2002

Answers

Oh Sissy, I am thinking of you. Please Lord, your will be done and let Sissy master the moment. Strength and wisdom to you, wish I could be there!. Love in Christ, Susan

-- Susan in Northern Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), February 01, 2002.

Oh Sissy, How tough for you! It is hard enough to lose a lamb when there are 15 others standing around comforting you . I am so sorry. Know that you did everything possible! without you the momwould have been lost too. Keep your chin up the next one should go smooth.

-- Novina in ND (homespun@stellarnet.com), February 01, 2002.

I bow my head to you. You are a very brave woman, and this was your first time birthing lambs? Wow you are fantastic! I'm thinking of you and hoping the other ewe has great success. Do you think you will be able to put the first little guy with his mom if he makes it?

Susan

-- Susan in Minnesota (nanaboo@paulbunyan.net), February 01, 2002.

Wow Sissy..I am amazed at what you already have done. You are really showing what you are made of. Hang in there...this is just a bump in the road. Hope the first one pulls through..if not, know that you did all you could do.

Hoping you have a great day Sissy...and I will say a little prayer that the other ewe holds off for you!

-- Sher in se Iowa (riverdobbers@webtv.net), February 01, 2002.

Sorry, I saw this post after all of the events were over....Sissy, you did a wonderful job! As you know, you are Never alone! I admire the way that you handled things! Sounds as if you did everything possible! You were brave and thought on your feet girl! I will be praying for you. God Bless!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 01, 2002.

Thankyou everyone. The little lamb made it through the night. I truly didn't think he would. I ended up closing the torn spot myself, and he hasn't bled anymore since late last night. I have been tube feeding him with the colostrum mixed with goats milk, 6 ozs every 5 hours. He is weak, but his "baaa" is very strong. Seems to be resting well. The other ewe hasn't done anything...yet. : )

-- Sissy Barth (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), February 01, 2002.

Well when you done there you can come help me!!! I don't see how you could do any better! To get one live one to try with is amazing! Be sure to keep the ewe milked out (and you have my sympathy already. Sheep's milk is quite a bit richer so it will suit the lamb better

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), February 01, 2002.