In Wicklow, lambing is in full swing at the moment. Generally, things are going well with the occasional problem. With lambing indoors however there are a number of issues we do come across or are regularly asked about. I’d like to cover some of the management practices that might aid reducing these problems. The top three we usually see are:

  • Watery mouth
  • Navel infections
  • Joint ill
  • These are of course infectious problems and require specific treatments however, I am much more concerned about reducing their incidences.

    Just like calves, lambs require colostrum to provide essential energy and immunity. It contains very important immunoglobulins which can help protect the vulnerable newborn lamb. I think there will be more pressure in the future to reduce antibiotics as a preventative measure to control newborn infections in lambs. So for that reason our primary focus should be on management practises that reduce disease incidence.

    Colostrum obviously provides essential immunity to the newborn lamb but it is very important to remember it also contains essential energy. It also plays a role as a laxative to get newborns intestines moving. Young lambs are born with a small amount of brown fat reserves which can aid in keeping them warm in the first few hours of life; however after this they are dependent on colostrum to maintain energy and thermoregulation. Hypothermia can be a big problem in lambs that don’t receive their first suck or are weak. It is important to stomach tube these lambs and keep them warm (ideally warming boxes at 45 degrees). Some severely affected lambs can receive warmed intraperitoneal glucose 20% injections at 10mls per kilo.

    All sheep farmers will have a stomach tube on farm. It is important that this is flushed and cleaned regularly and kept in something like Milton solution. I firmly believe a stomach tube that isn’t clean is potentially a risk in neonatal lambs.

    Watery mouth

    This term is used to describe an infection picked up by newborn lambs in the first one to three days. It is one of the classic symptoms with lethargy; poor suck and abdominal distension as a result of ecoli infection in the small intestines. This ecoli bug can grow in large numbers and when it dies releases endotoxins which are the reason these lambs can often respond poorly to treatment and often die. It is certainly more common in twins and especially triplets due usually to lower intakes of colostrum and poorer suck. It is a bug that thrives in damp dirty conditions owing to the huge importance of lambing pen hygiene once diagnosed.

    It is important to initiate treatment immediately once diagnosed with oral/injectable antibiotics and regularly stomach tubing fluids at 50mls/kg. Sometimes soapy enemas can help as retained meconiums can contribute or be a consequence of the disease. For me though, the main thing should be to focus on management factors that aid in reducing the risk of ecoli or watery mouth.

    It cannot be over emphasised the importance of hygiene in the lambing pens. Regular cleaning and disinfecting along with plenty fresh straw. When diagnosed particular emphasis should also be placed on colostrum management. When lambs receive adequate colostrum they will have natural antibodies that will reduce the effects of ecoli. So 50mls per kg in first 2 hours and 200mls/kg in first 24 hours of life.

    The use of oral antibiotics can be used in conjunction with veterinary advice. What we have found when management changes occur then usually this can be reserved for the end of lambing.

    Navel infections

    This can be a common problem in a lot of indoor lambing units. It can be slightly more common in male lambs due to the leaking of urine sometimes onto the navel. This occurs where bacteria usually fusobacterium tracks up along the navel. Where navel infections are occurring it is so important again to look at colostrum, hygiene and navel dressing. Navel washing is much more preferable to spraying. The navel is a tube and washing allows a much more thorough disinfection and where problems can be repeated 4 hours after birth. My preference for navel wash is hibitane solution or iodine/isopropyl alcohol mixture 1:4. I have little faith in navel dressing using antibiotic sprays.

    The symptoms with these lambs are often sore and swollen navels and these will be hunched with a poor suck. The infection can track up the navel and often cause peritonitis or liver infections or also can be a source for joint infections. Your own vet is best placed to rec individual treatments.

    It is worth remembering that I continue to rabbit on about hygiene and colostrum simply because with intensive units with large numbers of newborns they are the building blocks of success in reducing perinatal mortality.

    Joint ill

    This can be a very common issue in young lambs and usually presents as lameness with swelling and joint pain in one or several joints. It involves bacteria getting into joints through the bloodstream having entered from the gut, lungs, tonsils or navel. These infections can cause huge pain and articular damage when established. Again hygiene and colostrum are critical to reducing these bacteraemias and subsequent joint infections when large numbers of lambs are affected.

    The two common bacteria isolated tend to be streps and erysipelothrix. It is also important to rule out traumatic damage in isolated cases. Again reducing bacteraemia is critical by controlling hygiene indoors. Interestingly it does occur outdoors and again a thorough investigation should be carried out to try and reduce risk of infection.

    These cases respond best to early intervention with antibiotics but also steroids to reduce early arthritic changes in the joint. This is very much a conversation to be had with your own vet regarding treatment plans for individual cases.

    I am a firm believer in managing risks on all farm enterprises to reduce disease spread. This ultimately can be done by producing SOPs which favours methodical practises that maximise natural immunity and minimise infection pressure.

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