Came home from work to find 5 day old ewe-lamb laying down while the other lambs and ewes were active. Closer inspection found right eye not opening normal and lots of clear fluid below eye. From Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep, I think lamb has Entropion? "lower eyelid, or both, may be rolled inward. Recommendation: "Inject 1 mL of penicillin just under the skin beneath the lower eye.

What do you think? I plan to go out and look again closely at the lamb now. I did observe lamb nursing earlier so not critical yet but this is one of my two replacement twin ewe-lambs. Is entropion a hereditary defect? Mother is not a wooly-faced breed.

Thanks in advance.

Chris Nass

-- BossNass (chrisnass@hotmail.com), April 03, 2002

Answers

Might look at this site: Purdue Animal Science, http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/sheep/ANSC442/Semprojs/defects/genetic_defec ts.htm

Inverted eyelid (entropion) is widespread among most breeds of sheep. This trait is highly heritable. Inverted eyelids are a "turning in" of the margin of the eyelid and therefore bringing the eyelashes into direct contact with the cornea. This contact creates an irritation, making it necessary for the animal to blink constantly. As the animal blinks, it is compounding the problem by scraping the eyelashes across a more extensive area of the eye. This extreme irritation if left unattended, can eventually cause blindness. The condition may be noted at birth and treated at that time. Entropion should never be left to take care of itself. If left untreated, the condition could cause sore watery eyes, infection, ulcers on the cornea and even blindness. Entropion condition requires surgical correction by a veterinarian.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), April 03, 2002.

We have had entropion. Sometimes just holding the eyelid down for a minute or two to roll the lashes into their prpoer place will fix the problem. I have also inject pen.in aqueous solution (not the broad spectrum livestock antibiotic) into the lower lid with a fine (22 g.) needle for severe cases. This is always effective, but a somewhat delicate maneuver, and not for everyone. You need to wrap the lamb in a towel, and have a helper hold the lamb completely still. Entropion has been associated with selenium deficiency by some researchers. I also get rid of lambs that have it, so it is almost completely gone from my flock now. Good luck and steady hands!

-- Lisa (vadas@nfdc.net), April 03, 2002.

Vicki on the dairygoat board has dealt with this before. You can fix it yourself (my grand-dad always did) by CAREFULLY snipping the eyelid with small scissors. Please look it up in the archives here or on the dairygoat forum. Hope it goes well for your little one! Cara

-- Cara Dailey (daileyd@agalis.net), April 03, 2002.

Here is a good remedy but it takes two people who aren't afraid to inflict a little pain. Our vet showed us this method and it is easy to do and has been 100% effective for us. First, you need a clean pair of pliers. Yes, pliers. While one person holds the lamb, the other will take the pliers and crimp (pinch) the skin just below the bottom eyelid (provided that is where the eyelashes are turned in) all the way across the bottom. Then, puff the eye with a NFZ puffer. If you haven't vaccinated for tetanus, you should do so now. A shot of pennicillin wouldn't hurt either. What this does is cause trauma to the skin, allowing it to pull back from the eye. It sounds worse than it is and if we can do it, anyone can. The eyelid should become normal looking in a few days. Good luck.

-- JoAnn (jnehls@nvc.net), April 03, 2002.

I did the needle in the eyelid last night by myself. Looking better already this morning. Thank you for your suggestions. Used a towel to hold the lamb still. Will check again tonight.

Thanks again, Chris Nass

-- BossNass (chrisnass@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002.

We use a weak solution of Pau D Arco tea as an eye wash - you might want to use this to help avoid infection. It is wonderful, cheap alternative to expensive antibiotics. Email for details

-- Dr. Barbara D Stewart, N.D. (stewart1@oz-online.net), April 06, 2002.