Baby lamb very weak

[Don & Sandy]

We have a 4 day old lamb that was healthy and seemed to he doing great. Ewe has plenty of milk. Noticed yesterday that she didn’t seem as active and not walking well. Today can’t hardly stand and is limp. Started giving it warm water with white Karo syrup in it and some formula both in bottles. Lamb will drink a little of each. Any thoughts as what’s happening?

 

[B&B Happy goats]

@Mike CHS @Baymule. @SheepGirl @Sheepshape ....to the rescue please

 

[Baymule]

Did you witness the lamb nursing? I have had 3 born this year that were weak and I had to milk the ewe to feed them.

Maybe the ewe's teats are too full and the lamb hasn't been able to suck.

I put a horse lead rope around the ewe's neck, tied it to a fence post, and pushed her up against the fence. then I bent over and practically stood on my head to milk her out. One ewe had a plugged teat, another was so full that it hurt when the lambs tried to suck, so milking her out relieved the pressure.

If it is none of these, take the lamb to the vet. Maybe someone else will have better advice. I have had newborns die, but not one that was fine for several days.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

What Bay said!

 

[Mike CHS]

Bay hit it. Have you actually seen the lamb nurse? When they go downhill that fast it can be starvation and it doesn't take long to lose them.

 

[Baymule]

Is the lamb cold? If it is cold, it will be lethargic. If you get it to take a bottle and it is cold, the milk won't digest. I use a blow dryer and a box to warm up a lamb. Cut a hole for the head to stick out and another hole to insert the dryer. Keep a CLOSE eye on it. I also wrap them up in towels and hold in my lap, lifting the towel and blowing hot air on them.

 

[Don & Sandy]

We brought her to the house and put her in a box by the heat vent. We’ve been warming towels in the dryer and putting on her. I’ve been feeding her every 15 minutes for the past two hours and she’s been taking just a little. A few minutes ago she went after the bottle and actually drank about an ounce on her own! I’m going to wait an hour this time and try it again. Gotta figure out what’s wrong with her momma.

 

[Baymule]

Good job! Keep her warm and fed. Her momma probably has a sore udder. WHOO-EEEE!! Sheep rodeo coming. If you don't have a chute to run her through, corner her up and get a rope on her. Got a video camera?

 

[Mike CHS]

I have only had to bring in 3 lambs so far and they have become rotten. I wear long sleeve flannel shirts in winter as a light jacket so my go-to for warming lambs is to lay them on my chest and pull the shirt over them. They almost instantly become pet like in behavior and will remain that way the rest of their lives.

It sounds like you may have a save here so good job!

 

[Don & Sandy]

Our baby drank another ounce, stood up in her box and bleated!! We took her back to the barn for a quick visit with Mom and to see what’s going on with the ewe. Found that she’s only giving milk in one teat. Her bag on the other side is hard and nothing is coming out that teat. Any ideas?