I have a ewe lamb that just lambed this morning. She has a very large bag and has had for a couple weeks. When I striped the tit for the lambs one side was fine. the other has bloody milk, almost looks like choc. milk. She is not hot, I dont feel any lumps, she will let the lambs nurse on that side and doesnt seem uncomfortable. There appears to be milk in the tit, it doesnt seem to be diffrent than the other except the color.

I am going to town to get some penicillan. A friend thought maybe it was a broken blood vessel rather than mastitis. Any idea?

Both lambs are nursing. I wonder if I try to milk that side out how much do I try to get out?

A frantic new mom(me not the ewe) Tami in wi

-- tami in wi (windridg@chorus.net), March 21, 2002

Answers

Blood in the milk with no heat or cold teat is just an injury. Milk it out a few times and let the lambs nurse, the blood will not hurt them. You do not just put the doe on penicillin for no reason, no fever, no antibiotics. I would just watch her for awhile, make sure both sides are being nursed on, or empty it yourself, the lambs should be able to keep it empty very quickly. Instead of penicillin pick up some vitamin C, most feed stores carry the purple lid horse health brand, you can also just use the people dose from wallmart, sprinkle over the grain, my girls will eat the chewables out of my hand, it is very good for udder health. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 21, 2002.

For sure hold off on the antibiotics for now, it's probably as Vicki says. Now if it isn't a lot better in two days then I'd use the PenG fever or not. Sheep are probably the best at not showing fever of all animals, I guess with all that wool they are more efficient at correcting thier body temps? No science on that one, just I've seen ewes get sick and die never showing a fever, and besides there are some perfectly reasonable uses for antibiotics as a preventative measure to a sure infection. This use= abuse stuff is a little too ideal for me.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), March 21, 2002.

Ross, What is a good web site for asking sheep questions?

I am looking for something similar to the Poultry Connection Forum. Are you familar with that site? Many users of this site frequent that site as well.

I am new to sheep and have lots of questions. I am not having a huge success in lambing this week. Lost one ewe to prolapse Tuesday and will most likely loose second tonight to rectal prolapse. Guess I either over feed them or have a dust/mold problem causing sneezing? They are not in a barn and it will be single digits tonight. Below zero with wind chill. I have six lambs out there, less that 7 days old. I have read most of the sheep history available on this site.

Thanks to anyone who helps me find a good sheep forum. Too embrassed to start a new thread post.

ChrisN

-- ChrisN (chrisnass@hotmail.com), March 21, 2002.

Sounds like the weather we're having. Nasty and I've got around 120 lambs (or so) inside yes but it's still cold. I'll do checks all night, and bring in any that look or feel cold (feel in the mouth) Outside might be pretty touch and go, I'd try to sneek in at least one check tonight. Extra hay and a little extra grain too. Good sites? This one isn't bad. Actually it's pretty good, lots of good sheep folk here. Breeders World has some great people definately show lamb oriented though. The Maryland Small Ruminant page is a good reference site too. Do you get the SheepL list server? I'll try to check to see how you subscribe if you don't. Ag Online will get you some different responces too. A little too different at times! LOL Woolgrowers has a decent link page. Don't be afraid to ask questions, it's always a good question if you need an answer for it.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), March 21, 2002.

Thanks for the information. I was following the neighbors advice on the penicillian. As you said I do believe that it was just injured. The lambs really milked her bag way down. She looks much more comfortable today. There is still blood in the milk though.

Well, its been a pretty good year for me. I only had 4 bred ewes and now I have 6 girl lambs and two boys. I have one boy that is the cutest brown and white spotted, too bad he's a boy.

Thank you for the advice. tami in wi

-- tami in wi (windridg@chorus.net), March 22, 2002.