This presentation is from a webinar series on management of the ewe and doe from late gestation through weaning. This presentation is on Neonatal care (care of the lamb and kid from day 0 to day 14).

1. SUSAN SCHOENIAN (Shāy-nē-ŭn) Sheep & Goat SpecialistWestern Maryland Research & Education Centersschoen@umd.edu – www.sheepandgoat.com 2011 Ewe and Doe Management Webinar Series Small Ruminant Program

2. 2011 Ewe and Doe Management Webinar Series Jan 13 I. Late Gestation Jan 20 II. Vaccinations Feb 3 III. Parturition Feb 10 IV. Neonatal Care Feb 17 V. Lactation Feb 24 VI. Weaning

3. Neonatal care Care of newborns (day 0-14) http://www.slideshare.net/schoenian/neonatal

4. What factors affect neonatal survival? Offspring Birth weight #1 factor! Sex Birth type Behavior (vigor) Dam factors Body condition score #2 Parity Maternal behavior Colostrum accumulation #3

5. Factors affecting with neonatal survival Environmental factors Lambing/kidding system Weather Management Nutrition during pregnancy Ease of birth Sanitation Crowding Genetics Breed Sire

6. Sour When death losses occurSpooner Agricultural Research Center (Wisconsin) - dairy sheep Source: Lamb mortality and causes: A nine year summary at the Spooner Agricultural Research Station

7. When death losses occurNational Sheep Health Survey - all sheep operations Source: USDA APHIS NAHSM

8. What causes neonates to die? U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, Idaho: range sheep, shed-lambed

9. Causes of deathSpooner Agricultural Research Station (Wisconsin): dairy sheep Source: Lamb mortality and causes: A nine year summary at the Spooner Agricultural Research Station

10. Causes of death in neonatesSmall ruminants in Jordan Source: Bulgarian Journal of Veterinary Medicine (2007)

11. Clip, dip, strip, and sip Clip navel cord (if necessary) Dip navel cord in gentle iodine, chlorhexidine, or betadine. Strip teats to remove wax plugs and open up teats for baby to nurse easier. Make sure lambs and kids nurse.

12. ColostrumAll newborn mammals require colostrum for optimal health Thick, yellowish first milk that dam produces after parturition (for the first 24 hours). Rich in energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Has laxative qualities. Contains maternal antibodies Large protein molecules that can only be absorbed by neonate during the first 24 to 36 hours after birth. Absorption by neonate is most efficient the first few hours after birth. Baby should consume 10% of its body weight in colostrum.

13. Colostrum sources

14. Common problems of the neonate Hypothermia Starvation Diarrhea (scours) Pneumonia Floppy kid syndrome

16. Neonates are unable to regulate their body temperature during their first 36 hours.

18. Tips for tube feeding lambs and kids Use clean equipment Measure how far the tube needs to go in Hold baby between your knees in upright position. Dip tube in clean water. Gentle advance tube towards back of animal’s mouth The animal should swallow as the tube is advanced. It will still be able to bleat and cry. http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb1998/eb1998.pdf

19. Tips for tube feeding lambs and kids Feel the tube on the left side of the animal’s neck. Fill syringe with warm milk. Do not force milk with plunger. Let fluid trickle in via gravity. Squeeze end of tube when pulling tube out. Frequent meals are better than big meals 2-3 ounces at a time http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb1998/eb1998.pdf

20. Intraperitoneal injection Suspend baby by front legs Introduce 1-in, 20-g needle through body wall 1 inch to the side of the navel and 1 inch caudal. Point needle towards tail Slowly inject solution into body cavity.

21. Causes Environmental Unsanitary conditions Unclean water Infected feces Bacterial E. coli - “watery” mouth Salmonella Cryptospordia Giardia Clostridium perfringins type C Viral Rotavirus Neonatal scours Symptoms Gaunt Depressed Wet, rear legs Dehydration

22. Treatment Oral electrolytes Oral antibiotics [Rx] Spectinomycin Adequate colostrum intake Good sanitation CD-T vaccinations Neonatal scours Prevention Watery mouth (NADIS UK)

23. Causative organisms Pasteurellahemolytica Parainfluenza virus-3 Symptoms Elevated body temperature Labored breathing Depressed Droopy ears Treat early with injectable antibiotics [Rx] LA-200 [Rx] Naxcel/Excenel [Rx] Nuflor [Rx] Micotil (NOT GOATS) Prevention Proper ventilation Adequate colostrum intake Vaccination of dams Bacterial pneumonia Treatment

24. Cause Unknown Metabolic acidosis Elevated D-lactate levels Symptoms Normal at birth Symptoms develop 3 to 10 days of age Weakness Lateral recumbency No muscle tone Loss of nursing reflex Early detection Correct acid/base status of kid Oral bicarbonate (baking soda) ½ to 1 tsp. in 1 cup of water Electrolytes Floppy kid syndrome Treatment

25. Slime Scent/odor Skin Stanchion Cross-fostering or grafting

26. Artificial rearing lambs and kids Why? Dam dies Dam doesn’t have milk Dam doesn’t have enough milk Poor milk producer Genetics Poor nutrition Disease Large litter Dam rejects baby Baby is weak. Dairy enterprise Prevent CAE and OPP

27. Which baby should you choose for artificial rearing? Old recommendation Remove the largest, most aggressive baby for artificial rearing. New recommendation Remove the smallest weakest baby for artificial rearing. Select lambs/kids 2 to 6 hours after birth for artificial rearing.

28. How to rear lambs and kids artificially Make sure baby gets adequate colostrum. Let baby nurse dam for first four to six hours. Tube feed colostrum Feed the right milk replacer for optimal performance Sheep milk contains more fat. Follow instructions on bag. Mixing Feeding amount Feeding frequency After first few days, feed milk replacer cold.

29. How to rear lambs and kids artificially Hand-feed or use self-feeder. Keep feeding equipment clean. Start offering solid food when the lamb or kid is a few days old. High quality lamb or kid starter Soybean meal Vaccinate for CD-T at 4 and 8 weeks of age.

30. Weaning orphansUsually 4 to 8 weeks Better to wean on weight than age. Common rules of thumb Minimum of 20 lbs. 2.5 x birth weight Lamb or kids should be eating solid food and doing well. Lamb: 0.5 lb. creep feed daily Wean abruptly. After weaning, keep lamb or kid on starter diet; do not wean onto lush pasture.

31. When to feed heat-treated/pasteurized colostrum or milk To prevent CAE To prevent OPP To kids that have recovered from floppy kid syndrome Heat at 130-135ºF (56ºC) for 1 hour Antibodies will be destroyed at 140ºF (60ºC)

32. Common management practicesThese practices are not done on all farms Ear tagging Before baby leaves jug Weighing At day 0 or 1 Docking 1 to 7 days of age No later than 6 weeks Castration 1 to 7 days of age No later than 6 weeks Disbudding 3 days to 2 weeks

33. WHY? Health Reduce risk of fly strike Hygiene Easier to shear/crutch Easier to observe udder Easier to assist lambing Market preference Tails reduce dressing percentage Cleanliness at harvest Some breeds don’t require docking Hair sheep Short or rat-tailed sheep Low incidence of dagginess. Short-wool breeds Animal welfare concerns DockingShortening the length of the tail WHY NOT?

34. Length of docked tail Recommendation U.S. Distal end of caudal tail fold. Europe Cover female’s vulva Cover male’s anus Show lambs are usually docked shorter (for appearance)

35. WHY? Management Prevent unwanted pregnancies Control behavior Sell as pets or grazers Market preference Traditional markets Customer preference Market older animals Tradition Better growth Better carcass Bigger carcass Market at a young age Market preference Ethnic markets Animal welfare CastratingTesticles are removed or their function is inhibited WHY NOT?

36. Tools for docking and castrating Electric docker Emasculator All-in-one Elastrator Burdizzo® Emasculatome Scalpel Knife

39. Use in conjunction with elastrator to minimize pain during docking and castrating

42. Disbudding goats When? 1 to 3 weeks of age Horns grow differently Ideal time is just as horn is coming through skin Tools Disbudding box Disbudding iron Clippers (optional) How? [Vx] Numb region around the horn buds with an anesthetic. Carefully press dehorner onto the buds for 8 to 15 seconds. Twist tool to cut through skin to the skull. If the procedure is done correctly, you should see a copper-colored ring around the horn bud.

43. Thank you for your attention. Any questions? Susan Schoeniansschoen@umd.eduwww.sheepandgoat.com Small Ruminant Program

44. Thank you for your attention. Questions? Susan Schoenian sschoen@umd.edu www.sheepandgoat.com Small Ruminant Program