I have 5 romney sheep (well I did, now I have 8). Last night my year old had a beautiful black ewe lamb. She was dry and up and had eaten, by the time I found her this morning. The Problem: my older ewe (who has had lambs previously) had twins late this afternoon. We found her immediately (and I wonder if I worried too soon). She has 2 rather large ram lambs. The boys are up, searching and bunting at her udder. I can not be sure that they have eaten. They are not crying, but they also are not milky. I have never had lambs before, but have raised several other animals. I have tried to use my horse and/or goat and/or pig knowledge, unfortunately she is none of the above. I tried to "milk" her, as I did my goat...no avail. I looked for a milk plug, and thought that I saw it (both sides) but could not get it out. I left them for a while, to see if she would destress and just do it...when I went back...it looks as if the little black dot is gone on one side, I still could not get the other one out. Could there be a different reason? She looks the same as the younger one, who also does not seem to be "dripping" milk with only a single, or do I need to entervene further. If I see no change in the am, I've been told to get some meds from the vet to help discharge the afterbirth and to drop milk. Any help would be appreciated.

-- Cindy Warland (ciphi@sprint.ca), April 14, 2002

Answers

Hi Cindy! Long time no see! If you can hand milk out some colostrum from both your ewes and get some, any into to both of the twins it would help imeasureably. The lambs must have the colostrum ASAP. The ewe might need some oxytocin alright but by morning she may not.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), April 14, 2002.

Hey Ross, I was looking for your email yesterday, but I've had a change of computers and it was gone. Thanks, it was oxytocin that was recommended. I had colostrum in the freezer (from our "Nana" goat, who passed away last fall, but...it is labeled 2000, I think it is too old).

-- Cindy (ciphi@sprint.ca), April 15, 2002.

No it's not use it!

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), April 15, 2002.

Thanks Ross, we have, the boys have each had ~7.5 mL each not much, but Mom is starting, but the vet thinks she has an infection and is treating her, she seems much better. She even thought about chasing my ever present Heeler out of the barn. Thanks again.

-- Cindy (ciphi@sprint.ca), April 15, 2002.