Problems with the Newborn Lamb -- Entropion. Presented by Adam Henson.

This is an excerpt from the third DVD in the "Sheep on your Smallholding" series -- "The Breeding Flock". Adam and vet Mike Glover discuss some of the problems that can affect a newborn lamb, and in this clip shows how to rectify Entropion, or "turned-in-eyelid", a common affliction. The full programme is available on DVD from The Smallholder Series web site.
Expert: Mike Glover MA VetMB, CertSHP MRCVS
Bio: Mike holds a RCVS Certificate in Sheep Health and Production, and established SW Sheep Breeding Services in 1989 as part of Horsepond Veterinary Centre. He has subsequently helped build up a team with a special interest in sheep medicine and reproduction. Mike is a longstanding member of the Sheep Veterinary Society, and has served as a committee member of the SVS and as an examiner for the RCVS Certificate in Sheep Health and Production.

[@Hoddmonster]

Thanks for that. I've done this a few times over the last couple of years based on seeing this video. I just used saline solution as vet said they can't give me antibiotics. Each time it has worked perfectly just by the action of swelling the eyelid back out to it's normal position.

[@sharonblick3270]

If you are going to promote this remedy, you need to give more info such as what kind of antibiotic, what size of needle, and what to do if it won't go in or stay in. I have given many SQ shots, so I thought I could do this, but I ended up poking him 3 times before I gave up. Each time I could not get the antibiotic to go in; it was like something was plugging the end of the needle or there was no space in there and the antibiotic came back out of the hole in the skin where I had inserted the needle. Luckily, it turned out that the entropion was cured because the needle pokes themselves swelled up the eyelid enough to fix the problem.

[@Manageode]

Eyelids rolling in and the hair irritating the eye, is a problem Sharpei puppies can have. When my dog had pups, I regularly checked for this, as at times the skin grew at a faster rate than the head, and the heavy wrinkles could exacerbate this. My vet would do a temporary eye tacking to pull the lid away from the eye, and when the problem resolved, the looped of the stich could be cut and removed. But keep watching for the problem. (On both upper and lower lids.)

[@selfbowhunter.1952]

I just tried this for the first time. I don't think I used enough antibiotic. Will give it a try again tomorrow.

[@gerinevicencio9603]

This reminds me of A Christmas Romance (1994)

[@AwayToMeBus]

Never had the courage to try this method, I always use small alligator clips on the lower lid and as long as they stay on, they work well.

[@SmallholderSeries]

This method certainly requires a steady hand, but is very effective and has the advantage of being very hygienic, especially with the use of antibiotic to prevent infection. It's probably best to ask someone to hold the lamb's head during the process. However, if you prefer to use clips, ask your vet for some surgical clips (Michel clips) that are designed for this type of operation and are smaller and lighter than alligator clips! If the Entropion is quite mild, you can sometimes correct it by just squeezing the lower eyelid between your finger and thumb, this makes it swell slightly and stops it from turning in again!

[@AwayToMeBus]

SmallholderSeries I get a small clip from Radio Shack that is fairly light but I find the slight weight helps pull the lid down just enough and usually w/in a day its corrected and it doesn't seem to bother them. I've never had one that corrected with just flipping it out, thankfully haven't had that many! Problem is my eye sight isn't as great as it used to be so sticking a needle in that lower lid....oy vey. I will check with my vet about the Michel clips though, thanks!

[@abbyvanl.4357]

Jen, i would like to try the clips for my little goat kid with entropion- how small are the clips you got from radio shack? do you know if i could get them on amazon? What did your vet say about the michel clips? we tried tape (wouldn't stick) and my husband wants to try super glue but i can only imagine how horrible that could go!

[@alvexok5523]

Poor little animal. Doesn't understand why he's being held and not let go to be with his mother. These guys are just trying to help him, give him an ejection so he'll get well again, but sadly the little lamb doesn't understand that. The poor little animal just thinks that he's being restrained for an uncertain reason, doesn't know for how long, or what they'll do to him next. I wish he could understand that they are just helping him and trying to get him well

[@zeeshanakhtar722]

Injection name plz

[@redsetterification]

Any one can advise. My new born lamb has developed a swollen knee and can't walk.

[@SmallholderSeries]

It sounds very much like Joint Ill, which is a bacterial infection of the joint. It's a clostridial disease. You can try anti-biotics, but the prognosis is generally poor. I would advise you to contact your vet to give the lamb the best chance. For the future, I would suggest vaccinating your flock with Heptavac (or similar). Ensure scrupulous cleanliness in the lambing shed, as the bacteria enter the lamb via the navel: always treat the umbilical cord with iodine as soon as the lamb is born, which should lessen the risk of infection.

[@zeeshanakhtar722]

Formula name

[@nadaadecirr]

Poor baby xxx

[@alvexok5523]

I know, the poor little lamb didn't know why he was being restrained and held down, he was squirming and ba-a-a-a-ing. I know that it had to be done or else the lamb's eye infection would've gotten worse and he possibly could've eventually lost sight in that eye if left untreated. But still, the poor little ba-a-a-ing lamb didn't understand why he was being restrained and was probably afraid that they would harm him. I heard his mother sheep ba-a-a-ing in the background too

[@elainehall6378]

This is an unnecessary use of antibiotics, and totally impractical considering the time it took for 2 people - I dread to think of the damage done to lambs by encouraging people with no experience to try this. I check for entropion when applying rubber rings and use 'Michel clips', it takes around 30 seconds to insert them (no help or tools required) and doesn't require antibiotics. Michel suture clips are very similar to the clips used to close wounds on people and they work on entropion by taking up the slack skin under the eye thereby pulling the eyelid into the correct position. They don't need to be removed as they just come out on their own after a week or so.

[@buschwacker3254]

Elaine Hall - intwresting. what are "Michel clips? how are they used?

[@gerinevicencio9603]

Is Lamb, a boy or girl⁉️

[@dylanchavez4525]

hu