My 4-day-old lamb isn't suckling or standing. How can I help?

Question

Hello, My baby sheep is 4 days old and I believe he stayed more than one hour after birth without anyone guiding him to his mother teat. I have noticed that he is not suckling from it's mother and today he is not standing up at all. I have tried feeding him with a baby bottle and he suckles one-two times and then he stops. How can I help him?I brought him in the house because he was cold and now I checked under his tongue and he is warm. Is he going to survive? Pet's info: Other | Unknown - Other | Male | unneutered

Dr. Strydom, DVM · Accepted Answer

In order to give him the best chance for survival you need to get your vet out there to check him out. Colostrum is the "first milk" that a ewe produces after lambing. Colostrum contains a high level of several nutrients that are important for lamb health and performance. Colostrum also contains a high level of antibodies against a variety of infectious agents. At birth, the lamb does not carry any antibodies because antibodies in the ewe's bloodstream do not cross the placenta. It is critical that lambs receive colostrum during the first 24 hours of life in order to ensure adequate absorption of these antibodies. Antibodies are large protein molecules that can cross the intestinal wall and enter the blood stream of the lamb only during the first 24 to 36 hours of life. Absorption of these antibodies is most efficient during the first few hours after birth. It is recommended that lambs receive 10 percent of the body weight in colostrum by 24 hours after birth. All lambs need colostrum. While it is possible for lambs to survive without colostrum in a relatively disease-free environment, the likelihood of disease and death is higher in lambs that do not receive colostrum. The ideal colostrum source for supplemental feeding of lambs is from healthy ewes in one's own flock. So, if the lamb did not get colostrum this could be a huge problem. Your vet will be able to tell if he got enough colostrum and if not, they can give him some through his neck vein. I am assuming this is available in Romania. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

My 4-day-old lamb isn't suckling or standing. How can I help?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?

What's the best way to feed my hamster when I'm going on a trip?

Can chickens eat bell peppers daily and what about veggie salads?

My newly adopted pet won't eat hay. What can I do to encourage it?

My pet is breathing hard, not eating, and lethargic. What's wrong?

My degu lost teeth after an accident. How can I feed him soft foods?

Share