To: Smiling Bob who wrote (602 ) 7/15/2002 1:26:34 PM From: Smiling Bob Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 717 Care of the Newborn Breaking the umbilical cord will prevent oxygen from passing to the lamb; if this occurs, respiration must be established as soon as possible after expulsion. Gently pressing on the rib cage may start the lamb breathing. Other methods are tickling the nose with straw or gently swinging the lamb. Be careful to avoid all objects. Vigorous rubbing may also stimulate breathing. Once the lamb is safely breathing, encourage the ewe to lick the lamb. If the temperature is below freezing and another lamb is on the way, put the newborn under a heat lamp to dry until the second and/or third lamb arrives. Turn off the heat lamp as soon as the lamb can maintain its body temperature. Heat lamps may cause pneumonia in the newborn lamb. After delivery, dip or spray the navel area with a 7% tincture of iodine. A simple phrase to remember is, "clip-dip-strip." Clip the navel cord if it is unusually long, dip it in iodine and strip out the ewe's teats. Put the newborn lamb at the teat as soon as you notice a sucking reflex. If the lamb is weak and unable to nurse, milk out the colostrum and administer it with a catheter and syringe. Take special care not to get the tube in the lamb's lungs. Check for air by listening, or putting the tube in a cup of water and watching for bubbles. Afterwards, attach a 60 ml. syringe filled with colostrum and fill the stomach with 2 ounces, initially. Lambs usually respond quickly to colostrum. When the sucking reflex is evident, help the lamb to nurse on its own. Colostrum provides passive immunity for the newborn. Vaccinations should begin when the lambs are 3-4 weeks of age. Clostridium C & D toxoid will protect against overeating disease and Tetanus toxoid will guard against tetanus. Two to four weeks later a second vaccination should be given.Subject 53067