Ceaserian

[mon]

just got back from vets had CS on ewe, oldish x bred one at that that we couldnt get lamb out of, it was dead and yucky, are we mad easily spent more than ewe worth! some hard faced farmers we are .22 bullet would of been cheaper, but nwas interesting watching, but must be mad.

 

[Keflavik]

just got back from vets had CS on ewe, oldish x bred one at that that we couldnt get lamb out of, it was dead and yucky, are we mad easily spent more than ewe worth! some hard faced farmers we are .22 bullet would of been cheaper, but nwas interesting watching, but must be mad.

Don't think you're mad at all. Suspect sheep get a pretty bad deal a lot of the time. Friend who has a huge number of lambing ewes has no problem with having C sections done, on the basis that his vet bill for the entire lambing season is tiny when divided per head of sheep ( if you see what I mean).Good for you (ewe?) & glad you found C section interesting.

 

[glenruby]

Yep c-sections are interesting. However, if the lamb was dead and rotten then imo its not a surgical candidate and euthanasia would indeed be the right course of action in most of those cases. Too great a risk of peritonitis and a horrible death.

 

[mon]

she is on antibiotics and anti inflamitries interesting two different point of views let you know how she goes on first c section we have had done and lamb over 500 yr and been in sheep many years.

 

[Keflavik]

Yep c-sections are interesting. However, if the lamb was dead and rotten then imo its not a surgical candidate and euthanasia would indeed be the right course of action in most of those cases. Too great a risk of peritonitis and a horrible death.

Not disagreeing- but would be surprised if vet had gone ahead if he/she felt prognosis poor? We've had this dilemma a few times with sheep & cattle with generally favourable outcome.
Will be interested to hear outcome, but just pleased that OP has gone for C/S rather than immediate destruction

 

[glenruby]

Yes, the vet can only offer the options though. Also will depend on the vets own experiences and those of the practice. On the advice of older colleagues (based on their experiences) i always outline the dangers - and the fact that the risks in these cases are very hgh. Definitely you can have good results and each case is an indiviual. If the lamb wasnt very smelly and there wasnt much discharge then there is proably a good chance for the ewe but if it hs been dead a while then its probably kinder to pts.
Keflavik - you would be surprised at how many farmers have caesers done on their sheep! Most of our farmers have barely started lambing (and many have moved to March/April lambings now) but we have already done 3 this season.

 

[Alexart]

I've never heard of a vet doing a c-section on a dead rotten lamb - they normally use embryotomy wire to chop the dead lamb up inside the ewe and remove it in chunks, usually though once the head is off the rest is usually easy to get out through the birth canal - that way it is cheaper for the owner and stops the risk of infection in the ewe - pretty gory to watch though!!:O

 

[mon]

still danger of cutting ewe/cow/dam and got to get wire inside, have done this and seen it done , as you sat not nice but if saves a life worth it, oh the wunders of partuition.

 

[glenruby]

I've never heard of a vet doing a c-section on a dead rotten lamb - they normally use embryotomy wire to chop the dead lamb up inside the ewe and remove it in chunks, usually though once the head is off the rest is usually easy to get out through the birth canal - that way it is cheaper for the owner and stops the risk of infection in the ewe - pretty gory to watch though!!:O

Yes, but that depends a certain amount on how dilated the cervix is and how much space for manipulation there is. Definitely the preferred option where it is possible though.