| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - May 06 2009 : 11:50:27 AM
Yesterday my last ewe gave birth to the BIGGEST lamb I have EVER SEEN come out of one of my little Babydolls! I had to help her, of course, since the lamb was seriously STUCK. I don't know how long she'd been in labor, but it looked like it had been awhile. I had watched her ALL morning and saw no signs of labor, but that seems to be how things go around here. They always wait until I have to be gone somewhere-- day or night-- and THAT'S when they decide to give birth... sigh.... So, here she was with this big bag of water hanging out, and I know from past experience what needed to be done at that point. When I broke the water bag I found this big swollen head with a HORRIBLY swollen tongue (a ghastly shade of purple!), and one leg up over the top of the head. I thought for sure that the lamb was dead and at that point all I could think of was saving my ewe.
Unfortunately, there was no way for me to get my hand inside her where the turned back leg was on the lamb- he was SO BIG!, so all I could do was pull when she finally decided to push again. I was shocked when the lamb came out ALIVE!!! He was gasping for breath, the swollen tongue making it very hard for him to breath, but I did my best to help him out. I had every hope for him then, but when I picked him up, I realized something was VERY wrong with his left shoulder. Unfortunately, when I pulled him out, that shoulder had separated. It broke my heart. I feel SOOOOOO bad! I held him for the longest time trying to figure out what I could do for him, but I knew there was little hope. A DISLOCATED shoulder is one thing, but a completely separated shoulder.... well.... there's not much to be done about that. I thought for sure he wouldn't make it through the night, but he did. Now I have the very sad task of taking him to the vet to ease his misery.
After all that, I DO have one consolation though. About a half hour after Gigantic lamb was born, his mother laid down and gave one last big grunt. To say I was SHOCKED to see her shoot out a SECOND lamb after the sheer size of the first is an understatement!!! His sister was VERY TINY, but, there she was! Big brother had obviously hogged all the food! I'm very sad that her brother will have to be "put down," but at the same time I am thankful that his tiny sister is strong and doing well this morning.
Such is the life of a Shepherdess ladies. Full of joy, full of saddness, full of tears and heartache, but when one tiny baby takes it's first breath, has it's first drink and makes it through it's first day-- there IS hope! And that hope makes it all worth it. Hugs to you all ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Annab |
Posted - May 12 2009 : 09:55:08 AM
Wow
Isn't that amazing!! Poor girl was just lingering on.
Your vet story sound slike a vet that used to work at this zoo. Figured she had to save EVERYTHING just to prove herself.
One year in particular we had an ostrich go down. Poor girl was hoised into a makeshift sling and left like this for well over 2 weeks. They let her down from time to time, and she still couldn't stand. She finally got the pink juice too. Happened one other time to another ostrich, but luckily they listened to the keepers and only tried it for a few days. Come to find out, each had something akin to Lou Gherig's.
Sometimes you can see it in an animal's eyes. The animal still exists, but the spirit is gone and the eys look blank. The critters I work with are also prey species....as are goats and sheep and other critters with eyes on the sides of their heads.
They are VERY good about masking pain and alements. So often times when we do get hands on them it's too late. Found a dead gazelle just the other day. Had appeared fine. She was incredibly old, but gave us nothing to go by. Perky ears, ate well for all we knew, stayed with her little herd and responded to us accordingly. At her post, she had a mass in her uterus that had grown so big it blocked kidney function on one side. Had the infection not gotten her, the kidney would have burst and done her in for sure. She also had cancer in her liver.
I'm forever amazed every time an animal gets posted out and is riddled with some kind of cancer.
We have also had to euthanize animals for bad joint issues. Their will to live is incredible, but their body condition is horrific, and to see them try and walk or run has GOT to be painful.
Posts of these animals revealed bone rubbing on bone with NO cushioning fluid or cartilage. Blame it on pure and simple old age.
One more issue too. Especially in zoos, we are constantly pushing longevity records due to no natural predators and excellent care.
Two such individuals that come to mind we lost just last year. Their births were recorded back in the 80's as in 1983, NO KIDDING!!! Both of these animals were finally found dead on their own accord.
|
| lelasfriend |
Posted - May 12 2009 : 08:50:10 AM
This has opened up another very important topic that of end of life decisions for animals and I agree with everyone how very difficult those decisions are! On the one hand we do not want to allow any animal to suffer unnecessarily and on the other hand we also have to balance that against some animals' powerful will to keep on living and fighting. I think many cases are very clear cut but there are other cases that are very hazy to me and I struggle with what to do. It helps to hear other people's experiences and get their opinions. We had a 4 year old ewe in the fall that I was breeding and she acted a little stiff legged and I thought the ram was knocking her around but then she started laying down all the time and not grazing with the rest of the flock and then she stopped eating grain and just looked thinner. She had no fever and no symptoms of any kind. I finally had the vet out and he did a blood test that showed really high liver values which could mean many things. So we put her on antibiotics, probiotics and Vit. B but the next day we saw that she had not moved in 12 hours. Anyway I ended up taking her to a hospital that repeated the blood test and the liver values were even higher and she had high blood calcium levels. They did an ultrasound and low and behold she was pregnant with twins and had cancer of the uterus that metastized to the liver. She refused to eat or drink at all and I told them to euthanize her - she did not want to be here anymore and they were reluctant since she was pregnant. They wanted to do a biopsy to be 100% sure and it broke my heart to see them keep her going for three more days. They had to give her IVs and tube feedings and oxygen which was not fair to the ewe. But they of course found that the biopsy results confirm the cancer and they euthanized her. Afterwards they did a necropsy and found in addition that she had lung cancer and cancer in two compartments of her stomach. How she ever got bred is beyond me. It is so rare in sheep and so much rarer in a young sheep and it taught me to really follow my gut when I sense that there is something really "off" with a sheep even if they show very few symptoms. I think that was a clear cut case of a sheep needing to be put out of her misery.
Other times it is more difficult - what to do with the old ones who are developing arthritis but still are out there grazing, eating, drinking and being part of the flock? You can only do so much to manage arthritis and yet they want so much to be a part of things still it is hard to euthanize them. Any thoughts? Thanks, Sara |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - May 10 2009 : 01:22:07 AM
Oh, and Gena-- I LOVE the name you gave your wether! Dud. That's funny. I have a friend who named their heifer cows Thelma and Louise because they were both going to be butchered. It was funny, yet it wasn't. Poor cows. But she says they were VERY TASTY!
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - May 10 2009 : 01:18:03 AM
Sarita-- Thank you for the advice, I will keep it in mind. I do keep Penicillin, Bo-Se, and Bar-Vac CD/T in the fridge at all times. I have also been watching the ewe, and one doe who prolapsed just prior to giving birth. The doe has done that with each of her three pregnancies and, believe it or not, has had no lasting affects from it either! But I will continue to watch her closely for the next few weeks. I had no intention of ever breeding her again after the last time (she still belonged to her previous owner when she prolapsed the FIRST time), and she won't be bred again if I can help it (this time was NOT planned!)
The ewe is doing fine and shows no ill affects from the birth. I've had her for 5yrs now, and she's had lambs the past 3yrs, so I know her pretty well. Her appetite is good, she's drinking plenty of water, and her habits are the same as always. The lamb is nursing well and seems to be thriving. I can tell she's already gained some weight-- she's losing her "Baby wrinkles!"-- which is a VERY good sign!
Gena-- be my guest! If you like the names, take them ALL! I don't own the copyright! (LOL!!)
Anna-- I agree wholeheartedly. Animals can't VERBALLY tell us when they are in pain and suffering, but we need to LISTEN to them and do what's best for THEM, not ourselves. Believe me, I have had to make the difficult decision to have a beloved pet put down more than once, and it HURTS! Once I even had to have a horse put down. That was one of the most HORRIBLE experiences of my life. My dog, Letty, was bad enough, but the horse.... oh my. It was just terrible to see such a big animal want to LIVE when it's body was ready to leave this earth. Very sad. It really does hurt to say good-bye, but, in the end, I know it was the best thing for them.
Thank you Monica. I'm sorry about the lamb too. I wish he would have made it, but, like one of the other farmgirls said, it just wasn't meant to be.
Farmgirl Sister Hugs to you all~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| oldfashioned girl |
Posted - May 09 2009 : 3:17:18 PM
Tracy, So sorry about the lamb!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com
www.justducky48.blogspot.com |
| southerncrossgirl |
Posted - May 09 2009 : 04:36:24 AM
Tracy, I love the names. Let us know which name you pick! I may use a couple myself if you don't mind. I have started letting my friends name them. The last 2 twins that were a boy and a girl, my friend named them Will and Grace. She said because I had named the 2 little girls Thelma and Louise! I have a wether named Dud. I thought it was funny. He is actually the sweetest of all.
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
| Annab |
Posted - May 09 2009 : 03:58:27 AM
It's hard to even loose an adult I know.
Beings an animal keepers, we sometimes tend to get kind of hardened off to certain things. Like blood and death and making end of life decisions.
As was stated, you have to look at the bigger picture and quality of life issues.
Better a quiet euthanasia/natural death, than some long painful suffering malady.
So many times folks especialy in this business want to play life saver just for themselves and will let an animal linger just so the person feels better.
Those of us raised around animals all our lives know about the hardened realities
Still, its a shame |
| Keeper of the Past |
Posted - May 08 2009 : 12:01:26 PM
Tracy, take this info for what it is worth, upon advise of my vet, I give a dose of pencillin soon after the difficult birthing process and I watch them closely for a bleed in the next 24-48 hrs. My vet always gives a penicillin shot if he is called out to help me deliver one, which has to be a very difficult birth.
It is heart drenching when you know you have done everything possible and still loose one of the little ones. I can remember as a child weeping the lost of one of our baby farm animals...I still do!
Sarita
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
Contentment is the crown jewel of a happy life. |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - May 08 2009 : 09:48:59 AM
I know what you mean Gena. The losses I had this year, as far as KIDS goes, was due to cold weather and inexperienced mothers too. It wouldn't have been SO bad if they each hadn't had SO MANY kids at one time!
Anna-- I knew there was nothing the vet could do for the lamb that didn't require major surgery, if that would even help, so I did not anticipate a big vet bill. My intent was to have him put to sleep. I live a farmers life-- based on cold, hard, HEARTBREAKING reality. I know what I can do and what I can't, and what I can afford and what I can't. Surgery on a day old lamb was not an option. If I had a ton of money to burn, I would have had it done in a heartbeat, but I don't. I know I can't save them all, but I do what I can for them, even if it's just to ease their suffering by taking them to the vet for a shot, or giving them over to my husband for butchering.
I DO love my animals, but I also refuse to let them suffer. I feel that prolonging a suffering creatures life is the EPITOME of cruelty and that the kindest thing I can do for my four legged, furry, and feather friends is to let them go. If I have ANY HOPE at all of saving them, I do whatever it takes, but if there is none (and my gut never steers me wrong), I won't let them suffer. That's one of the hardest lessons I've had to learn over the years as a shepherd. To know when to fight the good fight, and when to say good-bye. It's never easy, no matter HOW many times you face it.
As for Little sister having a name? Not yet. I'm toying with a few. "Faith" is one of them. "Serendipity" is another, but she'll be whoever she turns out to be! Usually I try to go with a "Theme." Grandma's name was "Rosie," her Aunts are named "Sweet Pea," "Ivy," and "Violet." Her mother's name is "Dandelion," but I call her mom "Nubs" because she just has these sad little flappy nubs for ears. When she was a newborn lamb my LGD was just a pup and he LOOOOOVED her little ears right off her head! It was a few years after that incident before he was finally allowed to be near the newborns, but, I'm happy to report, no lambs have lost their ears since! Can't say the same thing about my poor RAM though! After every breeding season he seemed to have a little less of one ear. I finally wised up and realized it was the DOG doing it. Protecting his charges from "attack!" They now get put in a separate pen during breeding -- AWAY from Eli -- so the ram hasn't lost anymore EAR to the dog. Such silly creatures. Makes it all worth it I guess. Hugs! ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| southerncrossgirl |
Posted - May 08 2009 : 06:51:21 AM
Tracy, so sorry for the baby boy. I know things happen for a reason. There are years I just want to give up when I have several babies die, but time takes care of that notion. I lost several goat kids to cocidia last year before I realized what was going on. This year (so far) I only lost one to a first time mom. She had it during a really cold night, and didn't even try to break the sack the baby was in.
Hugs
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
| dutchy |
Posted - May 08 2009 : 04:32:17 AM
You know, for me a former city gal, this is SO interesting to read. Sad too, for the BIG brother, but the little sister and mom both seems to do just fine.
Thanks for informing a former city gal of all the things happening on the farms, gals :)
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
|
| Annab |
Posted - May 08 2009 : 03:50:23 AM
It makes it easier when the animal decides for us. It may have been a very long and expensive recovery for you both. So many times there is stuff that has gone wrong on the inside too.
I'm happy the big rother has a little sister though. So you can be joyful.
Wish we were neighbors. I'd have left work early that day just to observe and help!
So does the new addition have a name yet? |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - May 07 2009 : 1:36:44 PM
Jami ~~ Normally my ewes don't have any birthing problems. (except Audrey-- but she IS from a bad genetic line... (LONG story about her) My BEST ewes are just that... problem free, as are THEIR daughters. Easy lambers, GOOD mothers-- but I have no IDEA what's up with them this year! I have had to pull two lambs (one mother was a first timer and also had a BIG lamb, though not as big as the BOY!!), the other shock was the ewe who squashed her own lambs! Normally it's her twin SISTER that is rejecting, squashing, etc... not THAT ewe! The "Stupid" twin has actually done very well this year with her lamb. I'm rather proud of her after all the headaches (and HEARTACHES) she's caused me over the years. But, as all shepherd girls know, no year is PERFECT. Every year I expect the worst, and hope for the best-- (though I think this year the WORST was worse than I expected!!) I ALSO think if I ever have a PERFECT year I'm going to sell the whole lot-- sheep, goats, horses, chickens etc... -- and go on a LOOOOONG, much deserved VACATION!
And yeah, believe it or not, I DO have a "Healthy Barnyard." Around here only the strong CAN survive! (LOL!!!) If the babies make it past the first two months, chances are very good that they are going to grow and thrive, unless they are chickens of course. The Chickens don't seem to last long around here (and are regularly replaced), but then, you don't often find a REALLY SMART chicken, do you? At least I haven't... he..he..he..! Farmgirl hugs! ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| Jami |
Posted - May 07 2009 : 12:52:03 PM
Glad it's taken care of, Tracy. I know how that once you make a decision like that you want to get 'er done! I like to MOVE ON!
Sounds like you've had quite a birthing season. Here's to a healthy barnyard.
And Tracy...my best ewes are always the ones with the complications too and I'm thinking my best ewes should be the ones that don't need me much, right? Might rethink my genetics in this regard. Makes ya wonder, doesn't it?
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://cookecreeksheep.blogspot.com
http://cookecreekwool.etsy.com |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - May 07 2009 : 12:26:55 PM
Thanks Alee. You're a sweetheart.
Little sister is doing well, although she had a bit of an accident today. Got too close to the "business end" of mom at breakfast and got a yucky shower! Poor thing! It was SO FUNNY, but then again it WASN'T. I didn't see it happen, but I saw the results. She was shaking her head and her ears were droopy and wet. At first I couldn't figure out why, but then it dawned on me and I coudln't help laughing. I think the goats were laughing too! (they can be so terrible at times! LOL!!) Anyway, all is well here on the farm and I am breathing a great big sigh of RELIEF.....! ~~~ Hugs ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| Alee |
Posted - May 06 2009 : 7:25:01 PM
Oh Tracy- That poor Big guy! I am glad he passed peacefully and in as much comfort as was possible. *Hugs*
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - May 06 2009 : 7:14:39 PM
Thank you all for your encouragement ladies. I really needed that today.
Sadly, the little lamb never made it to the vets office. My vet was out on an emergency farm call this morning and the girls in the office were going to call me when he came in. He passed on peacefully in a box in my kitchen. It was a small blessing that he did not have to suffer for too long, I just wish we could have helped him go a little sooner.
As for mother and little sister-- they are both doing remarkably well. To see them you would never know how traumatic yesterday evening had been for them both. The little ewe lamb is holding her own, very vocal and active-- a VERY GOOD sign. Mom passed both placentas and seems to suffer no ill effects from such a difficult birth whatsoever. I'm glad of that. She's my best ewe and I'd hate so much to lose her.
This has been a very difficult kidding/lambing season for me this year. I know it's mostly due to the sheer NUMBERS of kids that were born (34 in all), the losses were so many because all the does had MULTIPLE kids (2 sets of Quads, 3 sets of triplets (or was it four?), several sets of tiwns, and only ONE single kid). As far as the lambs go, one was born premature, two more were crushed (one of them by their own mother), and then the big guy..... It's years like this one that I wonder WHY I continue breeding them. But then I think of what Grace said-- Yes, there IS heartache, but it's the JOY that keeps me going. The joy of seeing those tiny little creatures happily bouncing along beside their mothers, their curiosity over all the wonders of this great big world... so MANY things to be thankful for and enjoy. I would miss out on all that trying to avoid the heartaches. I guess they go hand in hand and you can't really have one without the other.
As for how do I "Know" what to do? Well, I DON'T really. A lot of it's instinct and, again like Grace said-- You do what ya gotta do when ya gotta do it! Faith in God also helps! Without him I couldn't do HALF of what I do in my life. It's His grace that helps me get through the rough patches and gives me hope for better days. Thanks again for your kind words ladies. I'm so glad to know how much you all care.
Oh, and Sara, to answer your question-- I KNEW as soon as I picked the lamb up that something was terribly wrong with his leg. It hung WAAAY lower than the others for one, and two, I could feel the bones and they did not feel broken or out of place. The shoulder was too loose, almost like it had no attachments to keep it in place. I pray you never have to find out first hand what it feels like. Hugs to you all ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| grace gerber |
Posted - May 06 2009 : 5:13:30 PM
Tracy my heart goes out to you - for those of us who have been in that situtation you do the best you can, pray that it all will work out and then wait. I know the heartache and joy is overwhelming - hard for those who do not raise animals to understand that we except this part of the deal and carry on. I pray that your ewe and little girl will regain their health, make up for lost growth and will provide you with many more healthy offspring. As for your lost boy - you did all you could and it was just not meant to be - be kind to yourself because no matter how long we have been in the business there are times when all we know just is not enough.
Hugs to you and know I shed some tears for your heartbreak and joy.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
|
| Miss2Missus |
Posted - May 06 2009 : 4:58:03 PM
Wow is all i can say. It takes a real big heart to go through something like that. I'm sorry about the big fella.
Karen ^_^
http://apple-and-eve.blogspot.com/ |
| Sheep Mom 2 |
Posted - May 06 2009 : 4:53:40 PM
How amazing that the little girl survived. I'm sad with you about the boy but that the Ewe pulled through ----whew, that's great. Are you finished now for this year?
Sheri |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 06 2009 : 2:14:46 PM
I'm so sorry you lost the big guy. But the ewe and the lamb are ok now? That's so amazing that you know what to do. I have had to help pull a few goats, but have never had to go in and turn or anything like that. Hats off to you, girl!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| lelasfriend |
Posted - May 06 2009 : 1:59:52 PM
Wow what a story! All we can do is our best and the rest is out of our hands! I was wondering if you had an update on the story - would love to hear what the vet said. Also how did you know the shoulder was completely separated? This info may help us fellow shepherdesses. I also had a huge ram lamb born this year. He was 14.5 lbs. His mom's labor completely stopped and I waited for 3 hours and still nothing. So I went in and there he was head completely stuck. It took me a half hour to get that head out and then I thought his birth would be a breeze but then his shoulders were stuck. Finally when I got them out the legs just kept coming he was so tall! Anyway he was a single and weighed 45 pounds at one month! We named him Denali after the tallest mountain in North America. Treasure your little ewe lamb, she will be doubly precious after your loss, but rest assured you did everything possible. Warmly, Sara |
| electricdunce |
Posted - May 06 2009 : 1:43:36 PM
That sounds like a really harrowing experience. Gllad to hear Mom and one of the babies are ok.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
| Jami |
Posted - May 06 2009 : 12:45:25 PM
Tracy, sorry about your little lamb. You win some and you lose some. You've got a big heart to take your boy to the vet for the deed. Hope the girl gets along well. It might be a blessing she doesn't have the brother...bet he would hog all of the milk too and she'd have stunted growth.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://cookecreeksheep.blogspot.com
http://cookecreekwool.etsy.com |
| windypines |
Posted - May 06 2009 : 12:39:29 PM
Tracy, that is the tough part of farming. But it sounds like your ewe is okay, and the little girl. So that is a good thing. Hope all goes well for everyone
Michele |
|
|
