[Jacob-list] need help

[Paintedrockfarm at aol.com]

Sara,
 
WOW -- what an endeavor your friend has undertaken!  Enlisting the  help of a 
qualified vet would be my first suggestion.  He/she would be a  valuable 
resource in developing a program to help get this ewe back on track for  good 
health.
 
Emaciation can do weird things to an animal's body, metabolism, etc.   Often 
times, we overfeed right away thinking we are helping the animal recover  when 
that often results in more harm than good.  In this case, quality is  
definitely a priority vs. quantity, especially with grain introduction and  hay.  You 
want the ewe to meet her own body needs, while still meeting  the needs of 
her off spring still developing inside her.  Too much protein  too quickly may 
result in oversized lambs, adding only additional body stress to  an already 
run down mom-to-be.  Again, an experienced veterinarian would be  a valuable 
resource!
 
I'd have a stool sample checked for parasites and deworm, if needed.   
Vaccinations to include basic CD&T (we use Covexin-8), then others  as recommended 
by her vet.  Since this ewe has unknown medical  history, it may be safe to 
assume she has not received any health care based up  on her condition.  I would 
give the initial vaccine then follow up with the  booster as the product label 
reads.  Vaccinating 4-6 weeks prior to  delivery helps to stimulate the 
mother's immune system into making antibodies,  which helps to protect the lamb(s). 
 
One other thought, make sure your friend has adequate supplies on hand to  
care for various pregnancy complications that may develop as well as have  
colostrum, milk replacer, etc. available in case the mother cannot or is unable  to 
nurse the lambs.  That is pretty much a recommendation to any shepherd  but 
especially so in this case, given the difficult circumstances this ewe has  
experienced this far.
 
Keep me posted!  I'd love to hear how everything turns out in this  story -- 
Cheryl
 
Mike  & Cheryl Terrano
_Painted Rock Farm_ (http://members.aol.com/paintedrockfarm) 
Buckhannon, West  Virginia
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