GOOD PLANNING will mean that lamb survival rates can be optimised so it is important to have all the equipment ready that might be required.
A good lambing kit should contain:
- Lambing snare or lambing ropes
- Prolapse harnesses
- Strong iodine solution
- Sterile needles and syringes
- Thermometer
- Stomach tubes and syringes
- Entropion clips to uncurl rolled up eyelids
- 40% glucose (dextrose) solution for injection
- Calcium borogluconate solution
- Twin lamb oral supplement for ewes
- Colostrum supply (ideally ewe colostrum, artificial ewe colostrum substitute, or pooled colostrum from clostridial-vaccinated cows)
- Electrolyte sachets
- Sterilising solution for feeding bottles and stomach tubes
- Medicines as directed by the vet: anti-inflammatory drugs (reduce inflammation and pain) and antibiotics
- Disinfectant for floors and surfaces
- Reliable and readily available source of hot water
- Warming box
- Notebook to record lamb and ewe losses, medication given and notes about ewes
- Phone number of the vet
- There should also be hospital facilities on the farm where sick lambs or ewes can be isolated and treated
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