Orphan ram in trouble! (EMERGENCY!!)

[littlelambx3]

I wrote this in the thread in the sheep section because I didn't notice this one yesterday.

I would take a fecal to the vet ASAP. Lambs are super susceptible to all sorts of things, especially things like coccidia, which can kill so fast. Does he have a fever? Have you given him some probios?

Personally I don't like feeding lamb replacer either and haven't had good luck with it. Lots of scouring babies. Goat milk is great if you know someone with goats who might share. I've also used a formula where you take a gallon of whole milk and pour out 3.5 cups (save it for later), add to the jug 2 cups of buttermilk, a can of evaporated milk and then top it off with heavy cream. Be sure to shake well before using. It was kind of a pain to prepare and I much prefer to use goat milk now but my lamb thrived on it at the time. Even plain whole cows milk is better than most replacers in my experience.

I would just give him electrolytes for a while and see if that clears up the scours. If so than its the formula causing the issue. Definitely take a fecal to the vet though! Cocci can do permanent damage even if you catch it in time to save the lamb.

Do you have any suggestions for another formula I could buy? I got him the Dumor Blue Ribbon Electrolyte Supplement for Stress and Scours and he seems to really enjoy that a lot.

I don't have milking goats, and my pregnant female needs all her milk right now, because I have a feeling she is going to kid at least 2 or 3. But you suggested cows milk.. Any certain kind? How about soy?

 

[babsbag]

I have no experience with sheep, but I rasie my bottle goat kids on whole cows milk from the store. I just warm it a little. I would not do soy, no doucmentation as to why, just my gut feeling.

Some one gave this to me last year and it worked really well to stop scours. Where it says "I" that is my friend, not me. I have used it but never made it myself. Again, we used it on goats.

1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp clove
2 tsp ginger
2 tsp slippery elm (health food stores or Hoeggers Goat Supply)
1 tsp garlic ( I use liquid)
2 cups of water

Bring to slow simmer on low heat while stirring.
I then place in jar and cover and allow to cool for about 20 minutes.
I have been using it for
the past few years with awesome results.
Give 6-12 cc's orally several times a day.
I have also mixed it with scour halt with very good results

Since I already had some of this mixed up I then added:
cayenne and thyme. I used a teaspoon of each because my babies are in the 50-70 pound range, well, most of them, Figured it wouldn't hurt the little babies.

 

[littlelambx3]

I have no experience with sheep, but I rasie my bottle goat kids on whole cows milk from the store. I just warm it a little. I would not do soy, no doucmentation as to why, just my gut feeling.

Some one gave this to me last year and it worked really well to stop scours. Where it says "I" that is my friend, not me. I have used it but never made it myself. Again, we used it on goats.

1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp clove
2 tsp ginger
2 tsp slippery elm (health food stores or Hoeggers Goat Supply)
1 tsp garlic ( I use liquid)
2 cups of water

Bring to slow simmer on low heat while stirring.
I then place in jar and cover and allow to cool for about 20 minutes.
I have been using it for
the past few years with awesome results.
Give 6-12 cc's orally several times a day.
I have also mixed it with scour halt with very good results

Since I already had some of this mixed up I then added:
cayenne and thyme. I used a teaspoon of each because my babies are in the 50-70 pound range, well, most of them, Figured it wouldn't hurt the little babies.

I will try that when I can get all the ingredients.. But that's only if my poor boy is alive. He has turned for the worst and I'm trying everything I can and nothing is helping. I have a feeling I am going to lose him.. And if he continues down this path for the next week tops, I am putting him down. It's the most humane thing to do. I've tried so much, and all has failed so far. If this is how his life is going to be, I won't make him suffer.

 

[babsbag]

I am really sorry, it is hard to lose the babies.

If he didn't get any colostrum he had an uphill battle to start with, it is too bad they didn't tell you that when they gave him to you. At least you have made him as warm and as comfortable as you could. He knows he is loved.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Have you been able to call a vet and ask if they have Bovi-sera? What is his temperature? What exactly does the diarrhea look like? His stool should be soft, not pellets. If it's watery then that's diarrhea, but if it's pudding like that's normal.

Here's what I would do:

Stop giving the Nutridrench, stop the pepto. Give the lamb a little baking soda mixed with water (make a paste and give him a dose of that, try 1/2 tsp for now). Pick one electrolyte supplement (either pedialyte or the Dumor) and stick with that. Then feed that and milk, but not at the same time. Feed electrolytes, then a few hours later milk, etc. You may want to try mixing the replacer slightly weak for a couple days to see if that improves anything.

I really think he's just having troubles because he never got colostrum. Bovi-sera is really important to try to get, and you can even order it online if you can't find a vet that has it. Hoegger sells it, and I would order it ASAP! That'll help his immune system, which is crucial if he's going to survive.

Good luck!

 

[Four Winds Ranch]

I wouldn't give up on him yet!!!! If he is willing to eat and fight through he might make it!!! I have had lambs before that were so bad that I had to drip electrolytes in their mouth with a syringe and make them swallow, and even then some of them ended up making it!!!!
Good luck!!!
Some bottle babies are alot of work unfortunatly, but worth it when they pull through!!!

 

[littlelambx3]

Have you been able to call a vet and ask if they have Bovi-sera? What is his temperature? What exactly does the diarrhea look like? His stool should be soft, not pellets. If it's watery then that's diarrhea, but if it's pudding like that's normal.

Here's what I would do:

Stop giving the Nutridrench, stop the pepto. Give the lamb a little baking soda mixed with water (make a paste and give him a dose of that, try 1/2 tsp for now). Pick one electrolyte supplement (either pedialyte or the Dumor) and stick with that. Then feed that and milk, but not at the same time. Feed electrolytes, then a few hours later milk, etc. You may want to try mixing the replacer slightly weak for a couple days to see if that improves anything.

I really think he's just having troubles because he never got colostrum. Bovi-sera is really important to try to get, and you can even order it online if you can't find a vet that has it. Hoegger sells it, and I would order it ASAP! That'll help his immune system, which is crucial if he's going to survive.

Good luck!

I am going to try that solution tonight. I have not given any pepto today, and he still has diarrhea. I am going to give him the the Dumor Electrolyte and his regular formula. I am doing 80/20. 80% of the time I am giving him the electrolyte and the rest of the time I am giving him his formula. He has diarrhea either way, and nothing has helped thus far. It is not pudding like, it is pure liquid and it's a yellow/green color. And smells really bad. I am going to call my vet/look around for the Bovi-sera. But may I ask what exactly it is for and such?

 

[littlelambx3]

I wouldn't give up on him yet!!!! If he is willing to eat and fight through he might make it!!! I have had lambs before that were so bad that I had to drip electrolytes in their mouth with a syringe and make them swallow, and even then some of them ended up making it!!!!
Good luck!!!
Some bottle babies are alot of work unfortunatly, but worth it when they pull through!!!

You got that right!!!
He is seriously around the clock care. There are times I don't sleep for a day or two, because of him! He needs so much care and attention, not to mention if I leave the room, he goes insane and screams his head off. I have not left my house is 10 days and have spent all my time with him. I love him and I want him to survive, I just can't wait for a good night rest again.

 

[littlelambx3]

UPDATE 3/28/13

Little Max is crazy today. He is full of energy and has been playing a lot of today. I gave him a bath today because he was covered in his poo.
But he seems really happy, even if he is sick. He loves to play, and seems to dislike feet. He always is trying to head butt my feet, haha.

I am now going to be giving him the following..
Dumor Blue Ribbon Electrolyte Supplement for Stress and Scours
MannaPro Lamb Milk Replacer
And also try a home made remedy for diarrhea later on today.

I am so confused by this little guy. One minute he is doing really bad, and I fear for him, and the next, he is running around my living room.

 

[promiseacres]

hoping hes thru the bad times!