pregnant ewe down

[ewellons]

okay I have a huge problem..I have a ewe who is due in approx two to three weeks she got caught between two gate two days ago no external injury noted but had labored breathing and weak in hind quarters noted...has cont to get worse had given her pain meds but no improvement noted ..now she moans when touched and just wants to lay down... her"girl" parts where red and swollen yesterday but not today???? the vet is coming out but has already talked about putting her down i am not happy with that thought already).. any suggestions please...i dont want to put her down she is a great ewe

 

[Shelly May]

Explain caught in two gates in more detail, positions?

 

[ewellons]

she was standing up squeezed between a wooden and metal fence/gate. It was like she could not back up to get out. vet just drew blood. bloodsugar at present 92..did stand up but hind quarters VERY weak. panting and breathing hard..can tell she hurts when touched. No temp yesterday but is 104 now..but is that due to stress??? vet gave her pain med steroid and antibiotic. I dont even care if she miscarries now just to save her.

 

[Shelly May]

Yes, when animals are stressed it can cause all kinds of problems, If she was caught between the gates and the babies had to reposition inside of her they might be pinching a nerve? or she may have tried to back out and caused a hip injury,(example) really hard to say. I am glad he didn't put her down, but you need to keep an eye on her and make sure she keeps eating and drinking. Always hope if they continue to eat and drink, Miscarriage would still be a big problem as she won't dialate to be able to pass them this late in her pregancy and will only cause more problems. What breed of sheep is she?
is this her first lambing? how old is she?

 

[bonbean01]

Being in her condition, could she have pinched a nerve? Had a local sheep guy/friend who had this happen to one of his best ewes...also got caught in a tight area and he wasn't sure how long she'd been like that when he came to feed in the morning. His ewe couldn't move her back legs and was lying down all the time. He carefully fed and watered her in a large stall and tempted her with molasses in her feed and she did eat and drink water. Three days later she gave birth to full size healthy lambs and that nerve must have stopped being pinched, since she was now standing and nursing her little ones and was perfectly fine. He also wondered if he'd have to put her down and was really glad he didn't do that. She is a very good ewe and that being stuck must have pinched a nerve or nerves.

Hope this works out for you and that the ewe and lambs and you have the happy outcome this guy's did

Oh...and to feed and water her he sat down with her in the stall and basically did it by hand since she couldn't stand...he also gave her vitamin supplements.

 

[ewellons]

She is 4 years old and has always given birth to twins and has had no problems with the birth and is a very good ewe. I have tried to feed her and water her but the only thing she will eat is the horse treats we have. Even after the vet visit stilbreathing somewhat hard but she keeps attempting to rest her head on something as though she wants it propped up on something. Vet called so fair lab work ok no signs of infection.

 

[ewellons]

Should i try giving her some molasse in her water. What vitamin supplements should b used? Thanks for your help so far.

 

[Roving Jacobs]

I had a pregnant ewe go down weak in the hind end before and pretty much just threw the medicine cabinet at her. I gave her a dose of calcium and selenium, a vitamin complex, nutridrench, and made her stay hydradte warm molasses water electrolyte solution. I kept her propped up on her brisket with some bales of hay and encouraged her to eat whatever she wanted. After all that I'm pretty sure that her lamb was just positioned weirdly and pinching a nerve and just needed some time for the lamb to move off the nerve.

If it was my ewe I would drench her with some warm water and molasses and electrolytes if you have them, especially if she isn't drinking. If you don't have electrolytes a dash of salt in the molasses water works too (not too much! 1/2 tsp per liter is plenty). Then make sure she is eating. Grain and plenty of good hay. I've used some oatmeal with sheep who are really resistant to eating. You can make it warm and soupy so she gets more fluids that way. A dose of probios and some nutridrench would be good too. A b complex vitamin shot wouldn't hurt.

I would keep her quiet either alone in a stall or with a calm buddy if she stresses while she's alone and just give her some time. She might just need a while to heal. If she wants something to rest her head on, give her a bucket or bale of straw. She knows best what's comfortable for her.

Good luck with your girl!

 

[Southern by choice]

hoping all is well with your ewe.

 

[ewellons]

It is not...she is still down tries to get up but hind quarters just not working..appears that she has contractions off and on but not dilating, breathing has improved but still moaning. Has been drinking only takes sm handfulls of grain mix no hay. I do feel the babies moving..just don't know what else to do..will be giving her Vitamin b complex tonight.