FW: RE: [Jacob-list] Ewe lamb unable to stand

[Jacobflock at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/24/2005 10:54:20 AM Central Standard Time, 
agf777 at earthlink.net writes:

> >> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: 
>> To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
>>  Sent: 2/24/05 6:47:25 AM 
>> Subject: [Jacob-list] Ewe lamb unable to stand
>>  
>> 
>> Has anyone here dealt with having a newborn lamb unable to stand up ?  I 
>> live in E. TN.  and we are supposed to have enough selenium in the soil , and 
>> we have never had a problem such as this before. 
>>  
>> She seems alert, baas alot, struggles to stand but can't get her feet under 
>> herself.  I've checked for broken bones , or a dislocation..... but 
>> nothing.  She will put some weight on her legs , if I  my hand in under her. Tries 
>> to walk, but crumples to the ground in a heap soon afterward.
>>   
>> Has anyone dealt with white muscle disease ,and does this sound similar ?  
>> I have given 6cc of injectable dextrose(was reccomended) and milked some 
>> colostrum out and mixed  it with milk replacer, to which she gobbled up.  
>> Should I wait , or maybe call the vet ?
>>   
>> Thanks,
>>  Sherry
>>  
>> 
>> 
>  
> --- Steve and Trish Barrows
>  --- Amazing Grace Farm
> 

Eastern TN is generally considered a low to very low Se area.  You said that 
you are supposed to have enough Se and never had a problem before.  Have you 
ever had soil samples done? have you ever had your hay tested?  in fact feeding 
alfalfa which is assumed to be a good hay may be a source of a problem (if 
deficient in SE) and if you use a pellet with an anti bloating additive, you may 
be reducing the absorbable SE even further.

If this is the only time this has occured, it is probably not an 
environmental problem but I would get professional help at least to get a blood check for 
Se in the lamb unless you know the soil and hay Se levels.  If lamb Se is low, 
the vet can give you BoSe and will probably add some vitamins such as A,D,E, 
etc. and treat it like white muscle disease.

You did not mention the age of the lamb, whether single or twin.  A twin is 
more suseptible to problems; especially the "smaller" twin because it has fewer 
placental caruncles.  It is probably to late to do anything now because the 
placenta is thrown out, but, with the thrill of the lamb should come the agony 
of looking at the placenta and the dark caruncle spots.  Stress at conception 
can casue absoprtion or surviving problem lambs.

If this is a single, without placental evidence of "deficient fetal 
nutrition", consdier birth trauma including a spinal injury.  A difficult normal 
position birth, an "upside down" birth (head first), or an assisted birth that 
causes trauma to the vertebrae behind the shoulder can pinch the leg nerve system.  
Trauma may be the result of ewe behavior in "rousing" the new born; could 
even be the result of a ewe butting a ewe during gestation.

Severe OCD (occipital condylar dysplacia) is a possibility but at this young 
age (?) requires an Xray or necropsy to confirm.  OCD is common in Jacobs and 
appears as a  familial defect (Univ of Missouri).  

It is up to eadch breeder to determine to what lengths one would go to find 
the cause of a congenital probolem.  The single problem with multiple probable 
casues is often difficult to solve but solvable.  Vet pathologists don't 
accept the vet that says "it just happens".  

The Jacob has its fair share of congenital problems but the number problem 
can be reduced by sharing information.  Most congenital defects are 
environmental or trauma, most genetic defects are recessive breedings.

Fred Horak
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