I lost one of my 3 ewe lambs tonight... Glisten (Ash x Vianne).
I found her sprawled in a corner of the barn at 6pm. She was still able to stand at that time but she was breathing heavily and had a racing heartbeat. I had my own foreboding thoughts on the matter, and a call to an experienced shepherding friend confirmed my two suspicions: pneumonia or being crushed/hurt by an adult ewe.
Clancy and I administered the proper dose of penicillin for pneumonia. And since she seemed unable to stand, we also gave her a 0.1 dose of selenium. I didn't think deficiency was the problem since she had been active since birth. But I wasn't overly hopeful of saving her so I decided to just do whatever was possible.
We also milked out the ewe and Clancy bottle fed her just a bit while I went back to the house to prepare the shots. He said the feeding didn't accomplish much except to exhaust her. I was going to take her to the house for observation. When I was removing her from the pen, though, she kept calling to her mama. So I left her in a private stall with just her dam, thinking the mothering bond would be better for her than anything else I could offer.
A few hours later she was gone.
It is hard to lose a lamb.
I could elaborate... but there is no use.
8 comments:
Oh Sabrina, my heart breaks with yours. How very sad!
Oh, I'm so sorry. It's tough sometimes living in the country and raising animals you love.
I'm so sorry to hear this, Sabrina. Very sad for all concerned. I'm glad you have other shepherds to consult with in your area. Hugs to you and Vianne.
Hugs to you Sabrina.
I'm sorry to hear of your loss Sabrina. I know the feeling. It is such a dull achey feeling. You did everything you can. She feels no pain now.
So sorry for you! After loosing our only 4 lambs this year, 2 sets of twins, we know how your feeling. Its been a bad year all around for a lot of people...... part of why prices are skyrocketing.
I am so sorry for your loss Sabrina. How devastating that must feel.
Thank you everyone for all the kind words. One of those things that you'd think a farmer gets used to. But it just doesn't work that way. And I know anyone with animals has been there.
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