[Jacob-list] Unfortunate lambs

[Johann K]

Katherine,

We don't have pine here, but we do have a lot of cedar.  Branches are always blowing to the ground when it's windy, so they have had access to it.  From what I've seen they usually ignore stuff like that, but maybe when I wasn't looking... 

The ewe is acting normal, but I'll be keeping an eye on her.  

Johann

From: creeksendfarm at mac.com
To: johanndiedrich at msn.com; jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] Unfortunate lambs
Date: Sun, 6 Mar 2011 08:30:20 -0800

I have read that eating pine and cedar can cause abortion.  Also several breedings a week or so apart may account for two different sized fetuses or the demise of the one is more likely due to placental detachment if fraternal  (separate sacs). The cord could have twisted cutting of blood supply. This could be a hormonal  Her body may have sensed the dead premies and aborted both ... All kinds of reasons.  Probably won't happen again. As long as the placenta came out with the babies she should be fine.   I've had sheep rebreed have losing their babies.  Just watch her .  I bet she'll be fine.  Just my opinion.  If you're really worried or she acts other than normal call your vet. Blessings >Katherine  Now in Reno NV
 www.creeksendfarm.com
Katherine Wisor RN / Farmer12700 Red Rock Road	 				Reno Nevada , 89508					704-488-5000	 
On Mar 5, 2011, at 6:40 PM, Johann K wrote:One of my ewes aborted two lambs yesterday, and they were at very different gestational stages.  The larger one was pretty far along, with wool starting to grow in.  Hooves were still soft and jelly like with the actual hard part only half grown in.  Eyes not fully developed yet.  When I opened it's eyes they just looked dull and foggy.  It was a beautifully marked ram lamb though.  I'd say it was due to be born within the next few weeks to a month.  It's twin was only a fraction of it's size.  So small that it came out still in it's sack and I didn't realize there was a lamb inside.  I just thought it was some after birth.  As an afterthought I broke open the sack and found it.  It had no wool at all yet, and ears completely flat against it's head.  The bones in its skull had not fused yet, and I think it may have been a female.  It was so small that it was hard to tell.  I figured that maybe the smaller lamb had died for whatever reason weeks or even months ago and the mother's body finally got around to rejecting it with the good lamb in tow.  Now, I'm starting to wonder though.  The small lamb didn't seem rotten, or any more dead smelling than the large one.  Is it possible that they were two separate overlapping pregnancies?  I've read this can happen.

The ewe gave no signs that anything was wrong before this happened.  She had been active and energetic as usual.  After aborting she just went about her usual business eating and following me around shouting.  I read that an infection can be a cause for abortion, but it wouldn't explain the huge difference in developmental ages.  Before I disposed of the them I took some pictures of the bigger one.  

I know it's too late to do anything, but I wanted to share what happened since it seems so strange.

Johann<bigger lamb.jpg>_______________________________________________
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