And has miscarried.
She had slowed down in the last few days. And I was cycling through the usual Mama remedies. But then her condition began to really worry me so I separated her from the others. Though she had been standing alone anyway. 
She was coerced into the barn then lay down on her side apparently in labour and stayed there. She expelled one small fetus about 4pm. Her ears were cold by 5 pm, and she was very low even though I could feel no more babies in there. I fed her honey and warm water with a syringe every hour or so, with aspirin as well, trying to keep her strength up so she could heal herself. There is a possibility that I brought her in at the end of her episode and she had already slipped the other fetus’s in the field. It was very, very small. I do hope there are no more in there otherwise her prognosis is grave.
I gave her a shot of antibiotics. You may think it strange to fight so hard for the life of a sheep. But Mama and I have an unusual connection. She did not much like people, having been locked in a horse stall for most of her life before I found her. It took her a whole year before I was allowed to even scratch her head. One time when I was helping her give birth and clean her babies (she always had four at a time) she went from cleaning a lambs head to cleaning my head as I bent to dry another. It was a most curious feeling of contentment being totally accepted into her wooly circle. I have told you that story before but it made a deep impression on me. Both of us working together through the night to keep her babies alive (she had way too many too fast to do it by herself). She has never had any trouble with a pregnancy before.
Even last night I could hold Mamas head under my arm and feed her her fluids. Mama was not a pet, she worked hard for her rights as the top sheep on the farm. The thought of her dying just as I decided to move Hairy MacLairy to a bigger farm is a cruel irony. They were quite the pair for four good years.
Here are a couple of old shots of her with one of her lambs. She was like The Big Dog, she never much liked the eye of the camera being pointed at her.
My first reaction was to give her a big bucket of warm water with a cup of molasses dissolved through it. She drank about half it. Then the honey and aspirin. In case her condition was caused by toxemia, or hypocalcemia – a calcium deficiency (though I cannot imagine how, as that is diet related and the sheep are on the good alfalfa hay.) I gave her Tums, the pills for upset stomachs, they have 500 mg of calcium in each tablet, so I gave her two, once she realised they were cherry flavoured she just chewed them right up. She got these and the honey and water (squirted straight into her mouth) through the evening and the night, until she had taken eight Tums. Then just fluids all night, with her mineral salt close by. She began to stand back up by 9pm.
By 1am. she was resting in a normal way and there was evidence of some eating.
In the early hours of this morning I checked every few hours and gave her her drinks, she had shifted each time, but was in a comfortable position but with her head up and no longer flat out and crying.
However we must remember that if she has failed to expel the last of the muddle in her womb – though she is looking better this morning, she will sicken.
We will see how today progresses. If she is still doing alright Monday I will call the vet first thing to get an injection just to make sure she really has cleaned.
Poor old Mama.
Your friend on the farmy
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
81 responses to “Mama, the mother ewe, has had a bad few days..”
Poor Mama and poor Celi! I knew something was wrong yesterday morning, just had a feeling. Thought at first due to weather you might have had a power cut, and now wish that WAS the problem. I know you are probably feeling down right now, this on top of everything else. Know that I am send the biggest hugs ever and lots of positive thoughts. You both are on my healing thought list and will remain so for weeks to come.
She is still alright (8.30am), but very quiet.. she is an older ewe though, (I would say at least 6 or maybe even 7) and multiple births year after year are hard on an animal.. c
Dear sweet Mama, my heart goes out to you both!
morning chris i hope all is well over there, i shall pop over today i think, it is already snowing here so mama and I will hunker down for the day i think.. c
Why can’t life run more smoothly for people, and for precious animals. Thinking of you, with warm hugs,
ViV xox
I guess when there are animals it is never smooth.. c
My heart breaks for Mama….she had a very difficult time and so did you. How very sad for all of you. I pray that she is okay and that the vet finds her sound. You worked hard to help her and I know it was exhausting for you both.
She loves you! I hope that Hairy gets a reprieve and can stay…sigh…they will miss each other. Animals are no different that we are with attachments. You say she is not a pet…but I hear much more in your voice. Some just find a way into your heart despite the greatest efforts on our part to remain distant. Livestock, but sometimes that one….gets in and finds our soft spot.
I am greatly relieved she made it through the night. Said a prayer for her.
Today is another day and it will be a good one for us all!!! I just know it! (((Mama & Celi))) Feel the hugs!!!
Your chatterbox sends love and good energy your way!!!! It is Sunday! Love you!
I can’t keep Hairy, Mere due to genetics. We need a new ram. And Hairy needs some new ewes. Inbreeding is not good for vigor. And I had decided that this was mama’s last year breeding, sadly I think I left him here a year too long. c
I know you are right…sentimental me….sigh…he will love his new life. I know this. What will happen to poor Mama now?
Bugger it …. about the mildest form of what I really want to say 😦 Holding thumbs here. Laura
Yes .. bugger, we will see how today plays out, it was a little too easy to give her her drinks this morning, but that is farming.. c
I’m so sorry to hear of this news! I will pray for Mama that she has a full and quick recovery, and that you have an opportunity to breathe a heavy sigh of relief, Celi. Your instincts are always sharp. Take good care.
Morning .. hope all your babies are well, i have to say it is easier to raise humans than sheep!! c
Sending positive healing energies your way Celi. It sounds like she is doing much better and will continue to heal. xoxoxo
I hope so Di, though I am not so sure..She should be up and eating by now, but showed no interest in her breakfast really.. c
I am so sorry to hear this. I hope she manages to expel the rest and recovers quickly!
That would certainly be the best result.. c
Oh, Honey…that’s so hard. Mama’s a special gal. We’ll be thinking about all of you, and hoping for the best outcome.
She such a good old thing, but at the very least she is sitting in a dry pen in the center of the barn, surrounded in calm animal noises.. c
I sure hope she doesn’t have any other fetuses inside and that she recovers well. Such a scary thing not knowing for sure what is going on. I know you’ll keep doing everything possible to keep her alive and healthy.
I am fairly familiar with the insides of a ewe and I could not feel any more in there, however they would be so small.. c
I took this post very hard Celi. I have only been a mother to animals in my life, and this story touched me deeply. I will be sending positive energy for Mama to heal. And, to you I send a balm of love… you are a special friend to all.
I am confident I have done all i can, but she is deeply calm this morning, not in pain, but sitting with her head up and very still – watchful. She is a good old sheep, I will stay in the barn most of today. c
What a difficult time for both of you. I hope today is better and that Mama grows stronger. A restful day to you.
Big hugs, Celi. Big, huge hugs.
I understand. I have worked so hard to save the life of a ewe. They devote their whole lives to providing food for us. They deserve our respect, understanding and care in return. And we get attached. And they form an attachment with us. So, it’s hard when they are ill. Or unhappy. It hurts. The world needs more Miss C’s. Hang in there. Will be watching for up dates. Prayers.
yes you will know what i mean, you will try anything, sometimes it works, sometimes not. But they depend on us.. c
Oh Mama, please get better, the blog will not be the same without you…I shall pray for you tonight . God will know where you are….please get better..love and hugs xxxxxx
MissC well done for taking so much care of her and staying with her..you are surely blessed