Post by corrie on Aug 13, 2017 17:35:25 GMT -5
I'm putting up a post about our recent experience with Twin Lamb Disease, partly because I'm delighted by the outcome and partly because it might be helpful to others.
We had four ewes due to lamb in early August. Three were first-time mothers and Mia was having her third lamb. Mia's previous births were both singles, and there was nothing in her size to suggest twins this time.
In late June, we brought them into a close paddock and began supplementary feeding (oaten chaff, lucerne chaff, beet pulp, minerals) each morning and evening. A month ago, Mia was sitting in the shelter when we went into the paddock. She did come over but showed little interest in the feed and quickly went back to the shelter. She was very lethargic and allowed us to touch her, which is unusual for her.
I had read about TLD and decided to give her glucose (with cal mag) sub q. We only managed to get about half the recommended dose into her, but within half an hour, she was up and moving around. We rang the vet, who suggested using oral glucose. We bought a 5-litre bottle and gave her 60ml morning and evening for about 3 days. She improved steadily, and her appetite returned to normal about 48 hours later.
We continued with the oral glucose daily for about a week and then every second day for another week. We also added a teaspoon of powdered glucose (very cheap from a home brewing store) to each ewe's feed morning and evening.
Results ...
River - delivered a large ram lamb that required pulling, possibly due to having one leg back. Both doing really well now, and the little fellow is stacking on the weight.
Brooke - delivered a good-sized ewe lamb, no assistance needed.
Mia - finally, we understood why she'd had TLD - twin ewe lambs, both a good size for twins. All doing really well.
And finally, the real surprise packet - Ami (Mia's first lamb), still smallish, as she's been all her life - delivered small but healthy twins - one ram lamb, one ewe lamb.
From four ewes, we have six lambs - four ewes and two rams. How wonderful!
I think the supplementary feeding is great, not only for the extra nutrition, but it helps keep track of the ewes' health. It was Mia's lack of interest in the extra feed that alerted us to a problem. Not only did we (probably) save our ewe, but also her twin ewe lambs.
I hope this helps someone!
We had four ewes due to lamb in early August. Three were first-time mothers and Mia was having her third lamb. Mia's previous births were both singles, and there was nothing in her size to suggest twins this time.
In late June, we brought them into a close paddock and began supplementary feeding (oaten chaff, lucerne chaff, beet pulp, minerals) each morning and evening. A month ago, Mia was sitting in the shelter when we went into the paddock. She did come over but showed little interest in the feed and quickly went back to the shelter. She was very lethargic and allowed us to touch her, which is unusual for her.
I had read about TLD and decided to give her glucose (with cal mag) sub q. We only managed to get about half the recommended dose into her, but within half an hour, she was up and moving around. We rang the vet, who suggested using oral glucose. We bought a 5-litre bottle and gave her 60ml morning and evening for about 3 days. She improved steadily, and her appetite returned to normal about 48 hours later.
We continued with the oral glucose daily for about a week and then every second day for another week. We also added a teaspoon of powdered glucose (very cheap from a home brewing store) to each ewe's feed morning and evening.
Results ...
River - delivered a large ram lamb that required pulling, possibly due to having one leg back. Both doing really well now, and the little fellow is stacking on the weight.
Brooke - delivered a good-sized ewe lamb, no assistance needed.
Mia - finally, we understood why she'd had TLD - twin ewe lambs, both a good size for twins. All doing really well.
And finally, the real surprise packet - Ami (Mia's first lamb), still smallish, as she's been all her life - delivered small but healthy twins - one ram lamb, one ewe lamb.
From four ewes, we have six lambs - four ewes and two rams. How wonderful!
I think the supplementary feeding is great, not only for the extra nutrition, but it helps keep track of the ewes' health. It was Mia's lack of interest in the extra feed that alerted us to a problem. Not only did we (probably) save our ewe, but also her twin ewe lambs.
I hope this helps someone!