Rectal prolapse starting in lamb?

[Natisha]

Hello, this is my first post here & I would appreciate any help/suggestions anyone has.
I recently lost a year old wether to bladder stones despite proper diet & surgery. He had been castrated very young.
I then acquired a now 4 month ewe from a breeder who I trusted. I've had her 12 days & have noticed what appears to be the beginning of rectal prolapse, only seen when she is laying down.
These lambs were to be pets & a companion for my ancient wether sheep.
I'm worried sick about her, especially after reading about prolapse. She has no tail at all, not even a stub & I understand this can predipose them to prolapse.
I feel this is all my fault for not knowing of potential danger before getting her. I'm upset that the breeder did not tell warn me but I guess it's a 'buyer beware' situation.
I don't know what to do to help her & my vet won't be available until tomorrow.
I am ready to call the seller & make him take her back. I don't want to watch another one die.
Is there any hope for her?
Thank you

 

[carolinagirl]

any way you can post a picture? That would help a lot. Sorry about your troubles.

 

[nsanywhere]

Whether you wait for the vet or send her back is up to you, but she will need to see a vet no matter what. Sometimes parts have to be sewn back in to heal a prolapse but not always, depends on many factors.

Don't beat yourself up - sometimes we just learn the hard way, but if it's early stages things could still turn out ok. Good luck!

Articles that might give you some information:

Tail Length Of Docked Lambs And Rectal Prolapse
http://sheep.osu.edu/2008/06/20/tail-length-of-docked-lambs-and-rectal-prolapse/

Rectal prolapse: A complex problem with many contributing factors
http://www.sheepandgoat.com/articles/rectalprolapse.html

 

[Natisha]

any way you can post a picture? That would help a lot. Sorry about your troubles.

I just tried but she jumped up when she saw me. She's very friendly.
I saw her anus open when she sneezed. That can't be good.
I've left the camera in the barn & my helper will try to get pictures.
Thank you so much.

 

[Natisha]

Whether you wait for the vet or send her back is up to you, but she will need to see a vet no matter what. Sometimes parts have to be sewn back in to heal a prolapse but not always, depends on many factors.

Don't beat yourself up - sometimes we just learn the hard way, but if it's early stages things could still turn out ok. Good luck!

Articles that might give you some information:

Tail Length Of Docked Lambs And Rectal Prolapse
http://sheep.osu.edu/2008/06/20/tail-length-of-docked-lambs-and-rectal-prolapse/

Rectal prolapse: A complex problem with many contributing factors
http://www.sheepandgoat.com/articles/rectalprolapse.html

Thank you for the hope. I've read all those articles & that's why I'm almost sure that is what is going on. She has a black face too. She's not fat at all but not thin either, maybe 50#. Her manure isn't little balls, more like small cow pies.
I'm in Wisconsin & we have no docking laws like some States have.
I have learned that crying nonstop isn't helping a all.

 

[Natisha]

I've called another vet & he will be out tomorrow. I don't know what to expect.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

There's really nothing you can do for her unless she actually prolapses. Some people try loose sutures temporarily. Some people use plastic tube-like rings and insert in the anus, then amputate the part of the rectum that is prolapsed. If you bought her as a breeder, I would not keep her. Rectal prolapses will only get worse, and if she's already having issues when she's so small she'll definitely continue to have them as she gets older. Shame on the breeder for dockin so short! If I were you, I would call them and tell them you want your money back. I wouldn't buy any more lambs from them unless they have any with longer docks. Short docking definitely makes them more prone to prolapse, but some (those who short-dock) say it's genetic and feeding that causes it. Whatever. You definitely don't want this ewe's genetics or her short dock in your flock! I'm sorry this is happening.

 

[Natisha]

There's really nothing you can do for her unless she actually prolapses. Some people try loose sutures temporarily. Some people use plastic tube-like rings and insert in the anus, then amputate the part of the rectum that is prolapsed. If you bought her as a breeder, I would not keep her. Rectal prolapses will only get worse, and if she's already having issues when she's so small she'll definitely continue to have them as she gets older. Shame on the breeder for dockin so short! If I were you, I would call them and tell them you want your money back. I wouldn't buy any more lambs from them unless they have any with longer docks. Short docking definitely makes them more prone to prolapse, but some (those who short-dock) say it's genetic and feeding that causes it. Whatever. You definitely don't want this ewe's genetics or her short dock in your flock! I'm sorry this is happening.

Thank you for your reply. I talked to the breeder & he did try to blame it on genetics or feeding until I told him I knew about the short docking. He then admitted it is a problem but he said he has to dock like that to show them.
I told him that maybe show sheep should not be sold as pets & he suggested I was worrying too much, that she will be fine & if she has problems he will take care of it, as in doing whatever procedures may be needed. He said I was wasting money by having a vet come out.
I want her only as a pet, no breeding. I also don't want stuff in her, things rotted off , infections & whatever bad stuff can happen. I paid a lot for her because I thought she was healthy & I don't feel she is with this problem.
I will have the vet out & see what he has to say but I think you're right. He should take her back, if he feels it is no problem then he should be happy to have a now tame show sheep back.
Thank you for helping me decide.

 

[rockdoveranch]

Natisha,

Please do not blame yourself. Unfortunately some breeders will take advantage of unsuspecting buyers. There is a lot to know about sheep and sometimes we learn from bad experiences at the poor animals expense.

If the breeder will take her back I would let him take her back. You certainly to not want a heartbreak down the road.

 

[Natisha]

I want to thank all of you for your help during this stressful time.
Good news today. I had a vet out & she does not have prolapse. She has weaker rectal spincter but not bad at all. It is related mainly to her lack of tail. He suggested some dietary changes to make her stool firmer. He thinks this will not be a problem at all.
I am very happy.
Thanks again.