Prolapse advice

arctictree

First year lambing and the first thing that happens is one of my ewes gets a prolapse!

Anyway, got the Vet out and she pushed it in and stitched her. As far as I can remember, I now have to cut the stitches once she starts lambing. Anyone know what problems I am likely to encounter? Will she prolapse again when giving birth? Also, do you lads stitch a prolapse yourselves or do you always get the Vet in? Thanks.

Bleating Lamb

arctictree wrote: »

First year lambing and the first thing that happens is one of my ewes gets a prolapse!

Anyway, got the Vet out and she pushed it in and stitched her. As far as I can remember, I now have to cut the stitches once she starts lambing. Anyone know what problems I am likely to encounter? Will she prolapse again when giving birth? Also, do you lads stitch a prolapse yourselves or do you always get the Vet in? Thanks.

There are different views on this but personally I don't think stitching is best answer as ewe might try to lamb out through the stitches which is not a good job,better to use a harness or spoon and take it off when the ewe has milk inher udder when you draw teat which means she is in a few days of lambing,did stitch in the past,or tie the wool across end real tight(which is a skill in itself)...but last few years find the spoon a better job:

Bleating Lamb

Bleating Lamb wrote: »

There are different views on this but personally I don't think stitching is best answer as ewe might try to lamb out through the stitches which is not a good job,better to use a harness or spoon and take it off when the ewe has milk inher udder when you draw teat which means she is in a few days of lambing,did stitch in the past,or tie the wool across end real tight(which is a skill in itself)...but last few years find the spoon a better job:

Are you able to watch sheep full time.,cos if not that could be tricky when that lassie goes to lamb....every case is different but ofter ewe settles down when pressure of lambs inside her is gone.

rancher

Bleating Lamb wrote: »

Are you able to watch sheep full time.,cos if not that could be tricky when that lassie goes to lamb....every case is different but ofter ewe settles down when pressure of lambs inside her is gone.

This is the way we treat prolapses, the harness works most times on its own, but sometimes it needs the retainer as well. we take out the retainer after a few hours once the ewe settles down and the ewe can actually lamb through the harness

http://www.premier1supplies.com/sheep-guide/2012/10/using-a-prolapse-harness-retainer/

jt65

I am greatly amazed that vets are still stitching, thought this practise was out dated for decades

as rancher says the harness or better still make up your own retainer from soft rope (lidl had some ideal rope lately)

TBH I find the homemade far superior to the bought one as you tie the knots to suit the exact size of the ewe and depending on the severity of the prolapse can apply pressure to suit

ewe can lamb through it unassisted

rancher

jt65 wrote: »

I am greatly amazed that vets are still stitching, thought this practise was out dated for decades

as rancher says the harness or better still make up your own retainer from soft rope (lidl had some ideal rope lately)

TBH I find the homemade far superior to the bought one as you tie the knots to suit the exact size of the ewe and depending on the severity of the prolapse can apply pressure to suit

ewe can lamb through it unassisted

All the straps on the harness are fully adjustable, will fit any ewe

J.O. Farmer

Stitching should be a last resort. Use a rope or buy a harness they rarely fail. The problem with stitching is she can't lamb through them. Even if you are home all the time you can't live in the sheep shed and surely it's the time you won't be round for several hours is when she will start lambing.
I only ever stitched one that was well gone in that the prolapse was still coming out after taking the rope of several days after lambing.

J.O. Farmer

Stitching should be a last resort. Use a rope or buy a harness they rarely fail. The problem with stitching is she can't lamb through them. Even if you are home all the time you can't live in the sheep shed and surely it's the time you won't be round for several hours is when she will start lambing.
I only ever stitched one that was well gone in that the prolapse was still coming out after taking the rope of several days after lambing.

jt65

rancher wrote: »

This is the way we treat prolapses, the harness works most times on its own, but sometimes it needs the retainer as well. we take out the retainer after a few hours once the ewe settles down and the ewe can actually lamb through the harness

http://www.premier1supplies.com/sheep-guide/2012/10/using-a-prolapse-harness-retainer/

rancher wrote: »

All the straps on the harness are fully adjustable, will fit any ewe

never have to use a retainer with the rope no matter how bad

I know the straps are adjustable but it still does not match a properly made rope

arctictree

Thanks lads, got some good advice and a demonstration yesterday on the use of a rope. So, I still have the ewe in the field with the stitches. I'll bring her in today and cut them when she starts to lamb. Hopefully this won't happen when I'm in the leaba!

arctictree

Well an update on this. Ewe lambed this morning and luckily a neighbor was around to cut the stitches as I was in work. Two nice lambs came out shortly after.

TBH, thinking about it, stitching is probably a preference for the Vet as its a quick job for him. A harness seems to be better for the shepard as he has time to watch the ewe and see if it needs to be tightened etc

Conmaicne Mara

I wouldn't be a fan of stitching neither, don't remember any prolapses in my flock, but there has been some in Dad's flock, it's the thing he dreads the most every year.

Username John

We had a good few one year, I kinda got good at putting em back in

But I found the spoon thing good enough. Made a home-made harness as well that did the job good enough...

They're a dose when they happen tho, more the watching afterwards than he actual putting em back together...

The one that did prolapse, cull her. She'll do it again next year if given a chance.

ganmo

ould lad would always use twines to tie up a ewe, don't think we've ever stitched up a ewe.

arctictree

Have 3 now with prolapse harnesses on them and another that I'm watching closely. Seems to be a lot for the small flock (30) that I have. And these are not even the ones that prolapsed last year. Looks like i'll have to do a serious cull this year.

Sheep breeder

arctictree wrote: »

Have 3 now with prolapse harnesses on them and another that I'm watching closely. Seems to be a lot for the small flock (30) that I have. And these are not even the ones that prolapsed last year. Looks like i'll have to do a serious cull this year.

prolapse is usually down to two things wrong feeding or breeding in the ram.

ganmo

Sheep breeder wrote: »

prolapse is usually down to two things wrong feeding or breeding in the ram.

I would of thought wrong breeding in the ewe

Sheep breeder

rams are known to bring it through to alot of the female off spring, a number of years ago in england a ram that was used in Ai a lot of pedigree flocks produced females that prolapsed in every flock that he was used in.

ganmo

Sheep breeder wrote: »

rams are known to bring it through to alot of the female off spring, a number of years ago in england a ram that was used in Ai a lot of pedigree flocks produced females that prolapsed in every flock that he was used in.

Ah ya that's the risk with ai.
I thought u were saying the ram of the lambs in ewe with the prolapse

Username John

We had a good few one year - nt sure why. Same war we had a few abortions as well, the ewes caught something I'd say. We sent lambs off to the lab but they didn't find anything...

What's your feeding regime artic - in case it is that?

Sheep breeder

ganmo wrote: »

Ah ya that's the risk with ai.
I thought u were saying the ram of the lambs in ewe with the prolapse

how is it a risk with AI in ewes ??.

Arrow in the Knee

Sheep breeder wrote: »

how is it a risk with AI in ewes ??.

He's saying that as a result of more farmers using (the ram that is producing females that are more prone to prolapsing) through AI that there is more of his offspring prolapsing.

J.O. Farmer

Sheep breeder wrote: »

how is it a risk with AI in ewes ??.

The same ram could be used in hundreds of pedigree ewes in different flocks each year so a fault will come through in lots of flocks.

ganmo

Exactly. Using one ram over thousands of ewes is good in one way but any bad in the same way in that his good and bad traits get spread though the flocks quickly

arctictree

Lads, one of the ewes just lambed, nice set of triplets. Do ye think I should put the harness back on her and if so, for how long? Thanks

ganmo

arctictree wrote: »

Lads, one of the ewes just lambed, nice set of triplets. Do ye think I should put the harness back on her and if so, for how long? Thanks

wait for her to clean then put it back on
ya might get away with 3/4 days

Bullocks

Had a ewe lamb prolapse today but it popped back in grand and has stayed in since . What are the chances it'll stay in or should I be looking for a harness ?

sea12

Bullocks wrote: »

Had a ewe lamb prolapse today but it popped back in grand and has stayed in since . What are the chances it'll stay in or should I be looking for a harness ?

If it was me put the harness on.

Bullocks

sea12 wrote: »

If it was me put the harness on.

Just went up to the shed now and she is still alright, I have no harness tonight but I'll get one in the morning if thats time enough hopefully

ganmo

if you've no harness use twine/rope
I'll get a pic...

Bullocks

ganmo wrote: »

if you've no harness use twine/rope
I'll get a pic...

Thanks ganmo I'll have a stab at tying up something. Good instructions there

Bullocks

Thanks ganmo , the ropes worked and she is happy out this morning .
First lambs here this morning, a set of triplets out of the ewe that was loosing her wool , good stacks too

orm0nd

ganmo wrote: »

if you've no harness use twine/rope
I'll get a pic...

That's the harness I use ...... but, I find it works best if at Point 3 .. I just cross the ropes leaving out the bottom knot bringing the left up right side & vice versa , this allows more uniform tightening of the ropes without being misaligned

davidk1394

Many of ye coming across cases of ring womb in your ewes ??. Had 2 cases here so far and lost 1 ewe with it

Limestone Cowboy

davidk1394 wrote: »

Many of ye coming across cases of ring womb in your ewes ??. Had 2 cases here so far and lost 1 ewe with it

Have a friend that's getting a right dose with it. 60 ewes and had to 2 sections last week because of it.

Grazon

davidk1394 wrote:

Many of ye coming across cases of ring womb in your ewes ??. Had 2 cases here so far and lost 1 ewe with it

If you put in a couple of your fingers and move them around in a circular motion agents wall of her vagina for about 20 mins it will loosen her out usually works.

davidk1394

Grazon wrote: »

If you put in a couple of your fingers and move them around in a circular motion agents wall of her vagina for about 20 mins it will loosen her out usually works.

We did that for half hour left her for another half hour but the 2 lambs were massive

Grazon

davidk1394 wrote:

We did that for half hour left her for another half hour but the 2 lambs were massive

They be ready for weaning in a week or to so. 😀

Jack180570

Sheep breeder wrote: »

prolapse is usually down to two things wrong feeding or breeding in the ram.

The other thing that can cause prolapse is if you have tail-docked the ewe too tightly (cut tail too short)... this happened us a few years ago and had 9 of our first lambers prolapse.
Other than that in younger ewes its too much feeding late in pregnancy.
Older ewes will obviously be more prone to prolapse... wear and tear on the running gear

When it happens we mark the ewe for culling and also if she has a ewe lamb(s) we mark them to go for the factory

Bullocks

Hard to believe its two weeks ago but the ropes worked grand and she is after lambing twins on her own without prolapse . Do ye leave them on for a few days after lambing or would it be safe to take them off in the morning think ?

orm0nd

Bullocks wrote:

Hard to believe its two weeks ago but the ropes worked grand and she is after lambing twins on her own without prolapse . Do ye leave them on for a few days after lambing or would it be safe to take them off in the morning think ?

I usually take it off straight away,but then again I do a lot of stuff that's not recommended on here,like keeping the ewes maybe for another 3 or 4 years :-)

Username John

orm0nd wrote: »

I usually take it off straight away,but then again I do a lot of stuff that's not recommended on here,like keeping the ewes maybe for another 3 or 4 years :-)

Would you keep a ewe that prolapsed Ormond?
I did it once, and acourse she prolapsed again the next year and I said fcuk that, no more second chances

arctictree

Username John wrote: »

Would you keep a ewe that prolapsed Ormond?
I did it once, and acourse she prolapsed again the next year and I said fcuk that, no more second chances

2 of mine prolapsed in 2015. I didnt get a chance to cull last year and of those 2, one prolapsed again and the other didn't. The one that prolapsed died after a few days after a hard lambing.

Not sure what to make of that!

ganmo

arctictree wrote: »

2 of mine prolapsed in 2015. I didnt get a chance to cull last year and of those 2, one prolapsed again and the other didn't. The one that prolapsed died after a few days after a hard lambing.

Not sure what to make of that!

that ewes that prolapse have a 50% of doing it again the following year

murrak123

Leave the harness on for a couple of days afterwards if it was a hard lambing for her. I had one who pushed it all out two days after lambing.Better to be safe and have a ewe for the factory than a bill for the knackery.

Green farmer

After a few years of having 1-2 prolapses every year, zero prolapsed this year. Reason = half them died and anything that lived went straight to factory, no exceptions. Also think that Its in the genes to get rid of daughters as well.

davidk1394

A ewe lamb with twins prolapsed yesterday. She started lambing but got the 2 lambs out. Gave her pen strep. Put her into the pen and left her alone. There earlier today she prolapsed badly. Got 2 ropes and tied her back legs to the bucket of the digger and lifted her up until she was standing on her front legs. I washed the uterus and put it back in. Put on the harness and now she's chewing the cud. Lifting her up sounds rough but it makes it a lot easier putting in the womb as its going with the fall of ground

rangler1

davidk1394 wrote: »

A ewe lamb with twins prolapsed yesterday. She started lambing but got the 2 lambs out. Gave her pen strep. Put her into the pen and left her alone. There earlier today she prolapsed badly. Got 2 ropes and tied her back legs to the bucket of the digger and lifted her up until she was standing on her front legs. I washed the uterus and put it back in. Put on the harness and now she's chewing the cud. Lifting her up sounds rough but it makes it a lot easier putting in the womb as its going with the fall of ground

always hang them up here too, much easier on man and sheep.

sea12

Is there allot more prolapse this year than other years. Had 3 here and haven't had it in years. Got the straps on done deal for 20€ and they are a great job compared to ropes.

davidk1394

sea12 wrote: »

Is there allot more prolapse this year than other years. Had 3 here and haven't had it in years. Got the straps on done deal for 20€ and they are a great job compared to ropes.

We have about 2 less than usual. Cut all hay out of the diet and it made a huge difference. The straps are a great job and easy to use

Bleating Lamb

sea12 wrote: »

Is there allot more prolapse this year than other years. Had 3 here and haven't had it in years. Got the straps on done deal for 20€ and they are a great job compared to ropes.

Hard to say,in my area several farmers that never had prolapses have had a few this year.I always have one or two(lambing around 130 ewes) but this year of around 65 ewes lambed so far I have had 5 prolapses.

That's def above average:(....and it's not over feeding with nuts that's doing it.Ewes all lambing out too except the triplets....so plenty of exercise got.Of the 5 only 2 are off same ram so that kinda shoots down the genetic argument too!....