Lambs and related problems Dr Abu Siam Mazen DVM March 2008

Lambs and related Lambs and related problemsproblems

Dr Abu Siam MazenDr Abu Siam MazenDVMDVM

March 2008March 2008

lambinglambing

DystociaDystociaDifficult lambing with a prolonged delivery Difficult lambing with a prolonged delivery that requires assistancethat requires assistance..

CAUSESCAUSES

- -Dystocia related to the parturient eweDystocia related to the parturient ewe..

- -Dystocia related to the fetusDystocia related to the fetus..

- -Dystocia related to the farmerDystocia related to the farmer . .

Dystocia related to the eweDystocia related to the ewe

- -Mymetrial defects. (non common)Mymetrial defects. (non common)..

- -Metabolic abnormalities, (hypocalcemia)Metabolic abnormalities, (hypocalcemia)..

- -Inadequate pelvic diameterInadequate pelvic diameter..

- -Insufficient dilation of birth canal due to Insufficient dilation of birth canal due to hormonal disorders hormonal disorders..

- -Uterine torsionUterine torsion . .

Dystocia related to the fetusDystocia related to the fetus

- -Fetal oversizeFetal oversize..

- -Fetal deathFetal death..

- -Abnormal fetus presentation and postureAbnormal fetus presentation and posture..

- -Fetal malformationFetal malformation..

- -twinstwins . .

Different presentationDifferent presentation

TreatmentTreatment

- -Clean, dry area for lambingClean, dry area for lambing.. - -Hands, instruments should be scrubbed in Hands, instruments should be scrubbed in

disinfectants disinfectants.. - -Area around the vulva should be cleanedArea around the vulva should be cleaned..

- -vaginal, birth canal and cervix examvaginal, birth canal and cervix exam.. - -Use a lubricant if the canal is not wet to avoid lacerationUse a lubricant if the canal is not wet to avoid laceration..

- -Drugs (oxitocin, cortisone)Drugs (oxitocin, cortisone).. - -Manipulate the fetus to the correct positionManipulate the fetus to the correct position..

- -Cesarean sectionCesarean section..

Drogs post dystociaDrogs post dystocia

--intrauterine bolusesintrauterine boluses..

- -Oxytocin intrauterineOxytocin intrauterine..

- -AntibioticsAntibiotics..

- -analgesicsanalgesics..

Vaginitis, vulvitisVaginitis, vulvitis

Trauma post-partumTrauma post-partum..

Clinical signsClinical signs::

- -Edema, depression, fever, loss of appetite, Edema, depression, fever, loss of appetite, fetid exudate fetid exudate . .

- -May developed to vaginal prolapseMay developed to vaginal prolapse..

- -May cause retained placentaMay cause retained placenta . .

- -May developed to metritisMay developed to metritis..

Vaginal prolapseVaginal prolapse

With or without cervix prolapseWith or without cervix prolapse

Predisposed factorsPredisposed factors::

- -Relaxation of the birth canal tissueRelaxation of the birth canal tissue.. - -Prolific ewesProlific ewes..

- -Intra abdominal pressureIntra abdominal pressure.. - -VaginitisVaginitis - -GeneticsGenetics

- -Closed animalsClosed animals

Uterine prolapseUterine prolapse

Occur a few hours after parturitionOccur a few hours after parturition

TreatmentTreatment::

- -Removing the placentaRemoving the placenta.. - -Cleaning and disinfectingCleaning and disinfecting..

- -Replacing with beginning at the cervical Replacing with beginning at the cervical portion portion . .

- -Insert the hand in the hornsInsert the hand in the horns.. - -oxitocin, Ca, antibiotics, analgesics, exerciseoxitocin, Ca, antibiotics, analgesics, exercise..

Uterine prolapseUterine prolapse

Uterine injuryUterine injury

Retained placentaRetained placenta

Fetal membranes expulsion occurs max 12 hours Fetal membranes expulsion occurs max 12 hours after parturition retained placentaafter parturition retained placenta

Cotyledones not detach from the caruncular cryptsCotyledones not detach from the caruncular crypts

Uterine involution and decline in uterine blood Uterine involution and decline in uterine blood contribute to the retentioncontribute to the retention..

CausesCauses: abortion, membranes hydrope, : abortion, membranes hydrope, prolonged gestation, twines, placentitis, prolonged gestation, twines, placentitis,

genetics, nutrition, hormonesgenetics, nutrition, hormones..

Retained placentaRetained placenta

TreatmentTreatment::

- -Manual removalManual removal

- -Intra uterine antibioticsIntra uterine antibiotics

- -Systemic antibioticsSystemic antibiotics

- -oxytocinoxytocin

Lambing timeLambing time

Critical time due to lambs lossesCritical time due to lambs losses Strategic lambing plan before lambing Strategic lambing plan before lambing

seasonseason Medicine kit should be suppliedMedicine kit should be supplied Ewes should not be placed into individual Ewes should not be placed into individual

lambing pens before lambinglambing pens before lambing

Lambing equipmentLambing equipment

Gloves, soap and warm waterGloves, soap and warm water Lubricant for assisting ewe to lambLubricant for assisting ewe to lamb Antibiotic, uterine boluses, mastitis Antibiotic, uterine boluses, mastitis

treatmenttreatment 7% iodine7% iodine Vitamin E and Selenium, WMDVitamin E and Selenium, WMD Heat lampsHeat lamps

Lambing equipmentLambing equipment

Colostrum from sheep or cows (frozen) for Colostrum from sheep or cows (frozen) for orphan or weak lambsorphan or weak lambs

Bottle, nipples and stomach tube for orphans or Bottle, nipples and stomach tube for orphans or weak lambsweak lambs

ThermometerThermometer Ear tags for identificationEar tags for identification Lambing record bookLambing record book Docking equipmentDocking equipment

Lambing practicesLambing practices

Separate ewes that are nearest lambing – direct Separate ewes that are nearest lambing – direct attentionattention

Observe and give assistance when necessaryObserve and give assistance when necessary Clean membranes from around the nose – Clean membranes from around the nose –

breathing breathing Treat umbilical cords with iodineTreat umbilical cords with iodine Make sure that ewe has milk and the teat canals Make sure that ewe has milk and the teat canals

is openis open

Lambing practicesLambing practices

Make sure that ewe nurse his lamb before Make sure that ewe nurse his lamb before leavingleaving

Assist weak lambs to insure colostrum Assist weak lambs to insure colostrum consumptionconsumption

If weather is cold provide external heat sourceIf weather is cold provide external heat source Identify the lambs using ear tags and record Identify the lambs using ear tags and record

them in timethem in time Routine checks daily for new lambs and their Routine checks daily for new lambs and their

dams dams

ColostrumColostrum High levels of nutrientsHigh levels of nutrients High concentration of antibodiesHigh concentration of antibodies High energy to help lambs stay warm High energy to help lambs stay warm Act as a laxative to ensure excretion of meconiumAct as a laxative to ensure excretion of meconium

- colostrum must be consumed in the first 24 hours- colostrum must be consumed in the first 24 hours - antibodies can cross the intestinal wall only during the - antibodies can cross the intestinal wall only during the

first 24 hours first 24 hours - colostrum needed is about 10 % of the lamb weight - colostrum needed is about 10 % of the lamb weight

Adoption and artificial rearingAdoption and artificial rearing

In case of triplet lamb or bad udderIn case of triplet lamb or bad udder

methods of graftingmethods of grafting- Use fetal fluidsUse fetal fluids- Saturated salt solutionSaturated salt solution- Place the ewe’s head in a set of stocks (3 days)Place the ewe’s head in a set of stocks (3 days)

use milk replacer when grafting is failuse milk replacer when grafting is fail

Lamb dockingLamb docking

Reasons of dockingReasons of docking- Long tail interfere with breeding and lambingLong tail interfere with breeding and lambing- Docked lambs present uniform appearanceDocked lambs present uniform appearance- The tail is a non marketable productThe tail is a non marketable product

ATTENTION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ATTENTION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- in warm weather use fly repellant-- in warm weather use fly repellant

-- vaccinate the lambs against tetanus -- vaccinate the lambs against tetanus

Tetanus in newbornTetanus in newborn

Creep feedingCreep feeding

Providing supplemental feed for lambs during Providing supplemental feed for lambs during the nursing periodthe nursing period

- Increase lambs gainIncrease lambs gain- Early rumen developmentEarly rumen development- Weaning without big stressWeaning without big stress- Lambs can be marketed at a younger ageLambs can be marketed at a younger age

Creep feeders should be located in areas frequented by Creep feeders should be located in areas frequented by lambs. A light over the creep feed area helps attract lambs. A light over the creep feed area helps attract lambs.lambs.

Main causes of lamb mortalityMain causes of lamb mortality

HypothermiaHypothermia ArthritisArthritis DiarrheaDiarrhea PneumoniaPneumonia Contagios Ecthyma Contagios Ecthyma

Hypothermia in lambsHypothermia in lambs

Hypothermia in lambsHypothermia in lambs

Cause of lambs death in the first 3 days of lifeCause of lambs death in the first 3 days of life Early detection can increase the chances of survivalEarly detection can increase the chances of survival

Lambs at riskLambs at risk - lambs from ewes in poor condition- lambs from ewes in poor condition

- lambs from old or very young ewes- lambs from old or very young ewes

- twins or triplets and premature lambs- twins or triplets and premature lambs

- lambs which are weak at birth- lambs which are weak at birth

Hypothermia in lambsHypothermia in lambs

Detection of HypothermiaDetection of Hypothermia – rectal thermometer – rectal thermometer

39 – 40 C normal lamb39 – 40 C normal lamb 37 – 39 C at risk37 – 39 C at risk less than 37 C detected hypothermialess than 37 C detected hypothermia

Assisting lambs with hypothermiaAssisting lambs with hypothermia

- dry with hay, paper or towels- dry with hay, paper or towels - warm the lambs slowly to avoid shock- warm the lambs slowly to avoid shock - use dextrose by iv or intraperitoneal- use dextrose by iv or intraperitoneal - 150 – 200 ml of colostrum using a stomach tube - 150 – 200 ml of colostrum using a stomach tube

Arthritis in lambsArthritis in lambs

Arthritis in lambsArthritis in lambs

inflammation of joints caused by environmental, faecal and soil bacteria.inflammation of joints caused by environmental, faecal and soil bacteria.

- Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Actinomyces pyogenes, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Actinomyces pyogenes, Fusobacterium nocrophorum, E coli, Erysiopelothrix, Chlamydofila, Fusobacterium nocrophorum, E coli, Erysiopelothrix, Chlamydofila, MycoplasmaMycoplasma..

Symptoms of arthritisSymptoms of arthritis

- - hot, swollen and painful jointshot, swollen and painful joints - the lambs become reluctant to move- the lambs become reluctant to move - fever, lose of appetite, depression - fever, lose of appetite, depression

Arthritis in lambsArthritis in lambs

Arthritis pathogenesisArthritis pathogenesis

- - 2 – 7 days after lambing2 – 7 days after lambing

- umbilicus or marking wounds bloodstream - umbilicus or marking wounds bloodstream joints (inflammatory reaction) joints (inflammatory reaction)

- chronic forms evolve with liver and lung abscesses- chronic forms evolve with liver and lung abscesses

Arthritis in lambsArthritis in lambs

TreatmentTreatment

- antibiotics are successful only in early stage- antibiotics are successful only in early stage

- - chronic forms are difficult to treatchronic forms are difficult to treat

- prevention is important by disinfections- prevention is important by disinfections

Diarrhea in lambsDiarrhea in lambs

Multi-factorial disease involving the animal, environment, nutrition and infectious agents causing increased frequency, fluidity or volume of fecal excretion.

Causes of diarrhea

bacterial, viral, parasites and diet.

Economical impact

costly disease with high mortality

Most common agents

E. coli, rotavirus, cryptosporidium, salmonella, coccidiosis

Diarrhea in lambsDiarrhea in lambs

E. coliE. coli - opportunistic disease- opportunistic disease

- 1 to 4 days of age- 1 to 4 days of age

- affected lambs salivate and have cold mouth (watery - affected lambs salivate and have cold mouth (watery mouth)mouth)

- antibiotics are used for treatment and prevention- antibiotics are used for treatment and prevention

- ewes vaccination increase the passive immunity- ewes vaccination increase the passive immunity

- hygiene is important- hygiene is important

- adequate ingestion of colostrum decrease the incidence - adequate ingestion of colostrum decrease the incidence of the disease of the disease

Diarrhea in lambsDiarrhea in lambs

RotavirusRotavirus - caused by B rotavirus- caused by B rotavirus

- caused diarrhea from 2 to 14 days of age- caused diarrhea from 2 to 14 days of age

- depression and dehydration of lambs- depression and dehydration of lambs

- low mortality – secondary disease is dangerous- low mortality – secondary disease is dangerous

- ewes vaccination increase lamb passive - ewes vaccination increase lamb passive immunity immunity

Diarrhea in lambsDiarrhea in lambs

CryptosporidiumCryptosporidium

- protozoa that cause diarrhea similar to that of - protozoa that cause diarrhea similar to that of rotavirusrotavirus

- 5 to 10 days of age- 5 to 10 days of age

- lambs are more resistant than kids- lambs are more resistant than kids

- liquid and yellow diarrhea- liquid and yellow diarrhea

- there is no effective treatment of cryptosporidium- there is no effective treatment of cryptosporidium

- fluid therapy, hygiene and good colostrum intake - fluid therapy, hygiene and good colostrum intake

Diarrhea in lambsDiarrhea in lambs

CoccidiosisCoccidiosis- Economical disease caused by protozoaEconomical disease caused by protozoa- Subclinical production losesSubclinical production loses- 1 to 4 month of age1 to 4 month of age- Clinical disease appear after weaning stress, Clinical disease appear after weaning stress,

feed changes or shippingfeed changes or shipping- Bloody, mucous and watery diarrheaBloody, mucous and watery diarrhea- Coccidiostats as prevention and treatment Coccidiostats as prevention and treatment

Pneumonia in lambsPneumonia in lambs

Pneumonia in lambsPneumonia in lambs

Caused by Caused by Pasteurella hemolyticaPasteurella hemolytica opportunistic bacteria opportunistic bacteria of the respiratory tractof the respiratory tract

predisposed factorspredisposed factors - poor colostrum antibodies- poor colostrum antibodies

- viral agent like parainfluenza- viral agent like parainfluenza

- bacteria infection (mycoplasma)- bacteria infection (mycoplasma)

- reduction of the respiratory defensive mechanisms- reduction of the respiratory defensive mechanisms

- heat stress- heat stress

- lack of ventilation - lack of ventilation

Pneumonia in lambsPneumonia in lambs

SymptomsSymptoms - fever, breathing difficulties, failure to nurse, death in - fever, breathing difficulties, failure to nurse, death in

untreated cases untreated cases

- weight lose- weight lose

DiagnosisDiagnosis - physical examination- physical examination - post mortem examination- post mortem examination

TreatmentTreatment

- early treatment- early treatment with antibiotics with antibiotics - prevention - prevention

Contagious EcthymaContagious Ecthyma

Acute infection caused by poxvirusAcute infection caused by poxvirus Young animals are more susceptibleYoung animals are more susceptible Vesicles, pustules on the lips, nostrils, teats, udder, feet Vesicles, pustules on the lips, nostrils, teats, udder, feet

and inside the mouthand inside the mouth CE cause mortality and reducing gainCE cause mortality and reducing gain Diagnosis based on the appearance of lesionsDiagnosis based on the appearance of lesions Treatment with topical antibiotics, feeding tubeTreatment with topical antibiotics, feeding tube Vaccinate at 2-3 days of ageVaccinate at 2-3 days of age

Contagious EcthymaContagious Ecthyma

White Muscle DiseaseWhite Muscle Disease

Degeneration of skeletal and cardiac muscles of lambs Degeneration of skeletal and cardiac muscles of lambs due to lack of Selenium, Vitamin E or bothdue to lack of Selenium, Vitamin E or both

Areas with good feed and fast lamb growing. Stress Areas with good feed and fast lamb growing. Stress caused after exercise, weaning, vaccinationcaused after exercise, weaning, vaccination

3 – 8 weeks of age3 – 8 weeks of age

SymptomsSymptoms

- leg muscles are affected first. Chronic forms with lung - leg muscles are affected first. Chronic forms with lung edemaedema

- lambs are bright, alert, continue to eat - lambs are bright, alert, continue to eat

- muscles become flaccid - muscles become flaccid

White Muscle DiseaseWhite Muscle Disease

TreatmentTreatment- Vitamin E+ SEVitamin E+ SE- Dexamethasone Dexamethasone

Supplement pregnant ewes 4 weeks prior to lambing with Vit ESupplement pregnant ewes 4 weeks prior to lambing with Vit E- Vit E don’t across the placenta, colostrum is importantVit E don’t across the placenta, colostrum is important- 40.000 iu\ton Vit E as constant supplementation of pregnant ewes 40.000 iu\ton Vit E as constant supplementation of pregnant ewes

with with - 200 iu of Vit E at birth200 iu of Vit E at birth- 125.000 iu\ton in creep feed125.000 iu\ton in creep feed- 80.00080.000 iu\ton in the growing ration iu\ton in the growing ration- 40/000 iu\ton in finishing rations40/000 iu\ton in finishing rations

THANK YOU FOR ATTENTIONTHANK YOU FOR ATTENTION