UDDER EMERGENCY!

[luvmypets]

Our ewe mammy recently had a baby. Everything was good. Lily nursed Mammy was fine. Then a few days ago mammy started walking away while lily nursed. So we looked at her udder and it looked soo full. Ive never milked before and only did it once not very good. So i tried to milk mammy. Nothing came out and mammy is extremely uncomfortable. She tried kicking me and stamping her hooves. Her udder is warm, but not blazing hot. Her lamb is our concern. She will only let Lily nurse for a short while and nothing comes out. We have colostrum supplement but no bottle. Mammy is a great mom other wise what do i do

 

[luvmypets]

We are almost positive its mastitis

 

[bonbean01]

Okay sweetie...don't panic...as I did the first time I thought our ewe Jess had mastitis. She did not go off feed nor have a fever...and when I tried to get some milk out, no blood or clumps. I'd check your ewe for fever...and has she stopped eating? One forum friend suggested I check the lamb's teeth for sharpness and file down if necessary with an emory board.
How is the lamb acting? Hollering or seeming content? Check Lily's tummy and see if she is getting enough and has a round tummy. Here is an article that might be helpful...hoping she does not have mastitis, but knowing what to do if she does and getting to it quickly is a good thing. You are a good sheep Mommy!

http://www.sheepandgoat.com/articles/mastitis.html

Let us know how things are going...and hoping for the best!!!!!

 

[luvmypets]

Thanks i actually tried to milk her and nothing came out. Lily is very quiet, and has lots of energy. Mammy has a very sensitive udder. She spooks if you just put your hand on it. Also lily does have sharp teeth.

 

[BlueMoonFarms]

Keep us updated
You will need to get a nipple or a bottle for the little one. Modifying a turkey baster is the only possible solution that comes to mind in regards to not having a bottle, and that's not ideal.
Anyway, A good way to keep track of the little one is by a scale. Even a bathroom scale.
Stand on it, take down your weight, then pick the little one up and weigh both you and her. Then just subtract the weights and get what Lilly weighs. That way you will be able to tell if she is growing or loosing weight while you wait.
In the mean time though, you really need to look into getting to the feed store and getting a bottle.
Or calling the local farms to see about borrowing one.
If you end up having to bottle feed her goats milk can be given to her.
If you were near MA I would just rush you a bottle and some milk XD

 

[Goat Whisperer]

Do you have any sheep friends/mentors or even a vet that could look at Mammy? I don't know much about sheep, but I would try to get someone with sheep experience out ASAP! Take her temp too!

 

[luvmypets]

We have a bottle now. And we have colostrum supplement

 

[BlueMoonFarms]

We have a bottle now. And we have colostrum supplement

Yay bottle!

 

[babsbag]

IF it is mastitis you need to treat her but it may just be a congested udder too and if she is picky about being touched they can hold it back. I milk goats all the time and I milked for a friend one day and her goats didn't know me and were incredibly engorged. I am not kidding about this, it took me 6 hours to milk 7 does, they absolutely would not let their milk down for me. It was rather embarrassing.

Maybe the lamb is getting fed and you just don't know it.

 

[Parsnip]

IF it is mastitis you need to treat her but it may just be a congested udder too and if she is picky about being touched they can hold it back. I milk goats all the time and I milked for a friend one day and her goats didn't know me and were incredibly engorged. I am not kidding about this, it took me 6 hours to milk 7 does, they absolutely would not let their milk down for me. It was rather embarrassing.

Maybe the lamb is getting fed and you just don't know it.

I HEAR YA.
I got a goat Sunday and it seriously took like an hour before she was comfortable enough.
I mean she had grain and stuff but DANG.
She was like "Nope"