Hey guys, I have a Sheep Question. Momma Eue is bleeding...?

Question

I have a momma sheep that had twins last sunday. That would be 7 days ago and I noticed tonight when I went out that she was bleeding. I noticed at first that there was blood on her side then realized it was coming out and getting all over her tail and she swatted a fly or bug and got it on her side. She had trouble delivering the baby but the baby was born by the time we realized it was happening. The youngest was only 3lbs and almost died. I worked with it and brought it in to feed and it is ok now and back with momma doing great. Shes not acting like anything is wrong but she is bleeding. I got down tonight when i checked on her and she wont let me get real close but I set and watched her with a spotlight right on her tail area and I could see blood seeping not pouring but seeping from something that looked turned inside out. I know this sounds stupid but I am a city girl that has moved to the country and am helping out my parents, this is our first sheep.

Thanks

Answer 1

I've had ewes that bled for a number of days afterwards as well, especially after a hard delivery.  When you were watching her and you saw something protruding, was she laying down?  If so, that's not that uncommon with ewes that are very large with lambs and nearing birthing time.  Since she had a hard birth, I could see that being the case.  Does it go away when she stands up?  If so, don't worry about it.

You won't have any problem spotting a full blown uterine prolapse.  The uterous will be handing out, aver a foot in length, 4-6 inches across and will be bright red with the "buttons" plainly seen.  In addition, she will be straining the same as if she was giving birth, unless she's already exhausted herself.  I've had a couple happen, one I got back in myself and the ewe was fine afterwards, the other I had to get a vet and she died within minutes of paying him $100.  

Sprinkling sugar on the prolapse will cause it to pucker up some and if you can get someone to help you, wash the prolapse with lukewarm water only to remove any debris, sprinkle on the sugar (a handful or so) and with her rump in the air and head down, gently start pushing it back in.  It's like shoving jello into a knothole, so be patient.  Getting her rump up so gravity can help is vital.  If she continues to strain, you'll need a vet to give her something to stop the straining.  If bad enough, sutering her v****a partially closed is needed.  Incidently, uterine prolapses are NOT genetically caused and are the result of a difficult birth.  If you get her patched up, keep her around because it's unlikely she'll do it again.  Vaginal and anal prolapses ARE highly hereditary, cull those animals at first chance as well as their offspring.  

Now that you're really worried, I don't think that's your problem.  A vaginal prolapse will be 6 inches long and 1-2 inches across and the ewe will have trouble urinating.  That prolapse is also very noticable.

Does she stink?  Does something smell kind of dead?  If so, she probably still has a lamb inside, but I would have expected her to have passed it by this time.  If she stinks, you may have to get a vet to go inside and check things out.

If she seems fine otherwise, you might want to give her a round of penicillian.  All said, I bet she'll be just fine.  As long as she continues to eat, there's probably not a thing wrong.  If she goes off feed, then it's call a vet time.

Answer 2

Your ewe has a prolapsed uterus. It sounds like it is just partially prolapsed. You should get her to a vet right away. Actually she should have seen a vet days ago, but she can likely still be saved. You should let her raise this lamb then, unless you are partially attached to her, sell her. Once they prolapse they are prone to do it again, so you could have the same problem with her again.

Answer 3

if its hangin out its a prolapse, and can cause death, if its just a string catch her and try to pull it out.  If its like inside out organs (prolapse) get some warm water and push it back inside.  be very sterile.  if it is a prolapse get rid of her.

Answer 4

The prolapse could get worse or infected, something I wouldn't risk.  Vets are normally on call, and though it could be expensive to get one out, I recommend it, less she be dead by Tuesday.

Answer 5

sometimes, the placenta hangs out for a few days, and it can look like she is bleeding.  If that is the case, you need to pull it out so that it doesn't get infected. She could have a prolapse, and if the bleeding doesn't stop in a few days, you should get a vet to check her out just to be safe.