Farm Animal Department

Cambridge Vets Farm Services

4 months ago

All creatures great and small receive the best of care. Here’s a feel-good success story for your Friday. 🥰🐑

Nurse Megan has a flock of sheep and on her way to work yesterday, after a night of terrible weather, spotted a newly born lamb flat and cold in the paddock. She scooped him up, hoping he would still be alive when she got to the clinic. Dr Pete checked him over and said he was so cold the thermometer was not registering a temperature, he was barely breathing and had a very weak and thready heartbeat. As it is very important to give cold lambs energy before beginning to warm them up, an intra-peritoneal injection of warm dextrose was administered. The warming process was then started with blankets, socks and heat pads and lots of TLC from all the besotted vet nurses. After an hour or so he was improving and conscious enough to have a swallow reflex, so we tubed him and gave him 90ml of warm milk. 🍼

With continued warming and more fluids given under the skin, his heart beat and demeanour improved so by late afternoon and after another temperature check from Dr Julie, it was clear that he was turning the corner and he was able to go home. Once at home, his mum Autumn, a still very friendly, ex pet lamb, was milked and the lamb was again tube fed and with a belly full, was tucked up warm and quiet for the night. This morning with the sun shining a happy picture has emerged. Back with his mum and feeding happily with his twin, this little ram lamb has beaten the odds. 🐑🎉🥰 ... See MoreSee Less