Lethargic Lamb

[Sheepfarmer22]

I have a ewe lamb that is acting very lethargic and tired. She lays down all the time and seems to be losing weight. What could be wrong?

 

[Ridgetop]

Possibly worms. Is this weakness something new? How old is the lamb? Is she o pasture or drylotted?

 

[Sheepfarmer22]

I recently wormed them with a good dose of ivermectin and safe guard. Not sure how old she is, but I would have to guess 6 months. She was a weakling runt, so not new. She doesn't grow at all. Got her for free to rescue. If I can get her looking good enough I could sell her.

 

[Mini Horses]

Generally they're "off" for a day after worming. But if she was carrying a large infestation, the toxin the worms give off at dying can create real issues. Sometimes more than they can handle. Give probiotics, vitamin B, a little nutri drench, etc., free choice baking soda and soft hay. It's a try to settle her gut microbes & some light energy until she's back to eating eight generally vit B will stimulate appetite. If no probiotic on hand, honey & active bacteria yogurt or kefir. Hoping she does better.

 

[Sheepfarmer22]

Generally they're "off" for a day after worming. But if she was carrying a large infestation, the toxin the worms give off at dying can create real issues. Sometimes more than they can handle. Give probiotics, vitamin B, a little nutri drench, etc., free choice baking soda and soft hay. It's a try to settle her gut microbes & some light energy until she's back to eating eight generally vit B will stimulate appetite. If no probiotic on hand, honey & active bacteria yogurt or kefir. Hoping she does better.

I was just observing her minutes ago and noticed she was snacking on dried oak leaves. Off the top of my head I know sheep get sick with oak. Their presence of "gallotannin" leads to lethargy and eventual kidney failure. I can't seperate her from them because the property is pretty much made up of live oaks. The others never bother eating it because everybody has full access to pasture and get food daily. I will think about what I can do and treat her. Will keep yall up to date over the next few days.

 

[Mini Horses]

Aha...different situation there.

 

[SageHill]

Could be the oak, though we have live oaks here in So Cal (not sure they're the same live oaks you have). My sheep munch the leaves (they're small leaves similar to holly). The acorns usually upset their system but they tend to stay away from them, esp after they've tried them. I believe the effects toxin can be related to the size of the animal. Here, those are one of the few trees to provide shade so they stay.

 

[mysunwolf]

I would also get a fecal done to check for coccidia. Little weak lambs that don't grow can get bad cases (or the coccidia can be the reason they're not growing) and go downhill pretty quickly.

 

[Sheepfarmer22]

Turns out now she has Barber Poll. There is a bottle jaw forming now. I emmediately seperated her from the flock and gave her selenium and LA300. It's seems like she isn't going to survive, so I extra coated her with animal insect repelent for the mosquitoes to let her rest in peace. I will let yall know if she is alive tomorrow. Thanks for the help everybody.

 

[Sheepfarmer22]

Turns out now she has Barber Poll. There is a bottle jaw forming now. I emmediately seperated her from the flock and gave her selenium and LA300. It's seems like she isn't going to survive, so I extra coated her with animal insect repelent for the mosquitoes to let her rest in peace. I will let yall know if she is alive tomorrow. Thanks for the help everybody.

Okay I gave it about a week and she's doing a little better. I'm glad she's still alive.