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..”
Prayers for Mama & you.
Sorry to read about Mama, Celi. She’s a tough old ewe, though, and I bet she makes it. Good to read that she ate a bit this afternoon. I hope the vet can offer some reassurance tomorrow. Please be careful walking to and from the barn. No telling whether a patch of ice might be hiding under the snow.
I am so sorry, Celi. We lost one of our beautiful ewes once after she delivered one lamb. You know, my mind must be frozen like the outside (it was 22 below last night) and I cannot think of what we always had on hand for the sheep in trouble. It was like molasses but with lots of vitamins and electrolytes and we put it in water or they would just lick it off the spoon. Gave them energy to get going again. It is so hard when animals are in trouble. They are not pets, but, rather like children or friends. We develop a bond with them. Last night we lost on of our young roosters. I think it was just too cold, even though the hen house is insulated well. He always kept to himself rather than roosting with the others for warmth. Kupa looks good. His feathers are beautiful!
My best to you and Mama.
I have been making my own tonic for Mama, melted Tums (calcium and corn syrup), molasses (sugars and minerals) , honey, apple cider vinegar (a trace), a trace of stock salt and some garlic with lots of warm water. She gets a cup full every few hours.. if nothing else she is hydrated.. but still not walking yet without me pushing her up every few hours.. and it is 5.30 pm.. c
We had a ewe that did not completely expel her afterbirth after lambing. The vet gave us a shot for her so she would have contractions. She might still have afterbirth or dead fetus inside. Does she seem to be in any pain? The shot did the trick and from then on we kept it on hand.
on and off i see something in the way she holds her head that makes me think she may be feeling pain. But I am certainly calling about that shot anyway. We did something similar for Daisy. c
Your words soundly express the gravity of your feelings and Mama’s situation… and I feel and wish all is well for for you both, but I had to smile at Mama chewing on cherry flavour Tums.
love and healing to you both; I love that she licked your head; she knows your value Celi, as your readers do!
Mama and Cecilia-mama Live! You both are tough as the most resilient trees, bounding back from a knockdown, however much time it takes. The Solstice is only 12 days away now, and then the sun starts coming back to us. And all his strong golden energy. Meanwhile, the strong golden energy of the fellowship beams to you, carrying love and healing. — Laura
The sweetest part of that message is that my other name is celi-ma! seeing celi-mama there I had to check and see if one of my children was writing!.. take care laura… c
Oh Mama. I will send lots of healing energy your way.
If anyone can bring her round, it’s you. And knowing you just a little bit, you won’t let go. I think we’ll be hearing that Mama is up and about again soon. It sounds as if you’ve done all the right things. If she has no fever, is eating again and isn’t too restless, I wouldn’t say there was anything left inside, and she’s cleansed. Good luck, fingers crossed for you both.
I really hope this is the case kate.. though i have no thermometer to take her temp, i really need to invest in one.. though to tell the truth I am treating her as though she has an infection anyway.. c
hugs to you both
I am so sorry, miss c and Mama. I too knew something was wrong on the farmy yesterday. If you and Mama don’t mind, I will send some healing. One of my quiet secrets, that I feel comfortable revealing to the Fellowship, is that I am a practicing animal shaman. Sometimes I am blessed with being able to help.
well something is helping, we are grateful for any healing sent, this afternoon after a very rough morning, her ears started to warm up, and though she is not getting up without help she has been eating a little, I still pour water (her potion) down her throat with my big elephant syringe, but she ate some corn and hay and spinach, lying down but eating. so thank you sweetie.c.
Sad news, but as always you are realistic about farm life and keep learning with every new experience. That was so tender, the story of Mama licking your head. Be tender with yourself too.
Oh I hate days like this … but, they do happen. You have been diligent and hopefully, she’s on the mend. Good luck, Celia and Mama.
That is all you needed! Was worried going thru’ the mail yesterday morning – then thought matters to be OK when talk of Christmas elves erupted elsewhere and saw you ‘talking’ . . . . am trying not to think how being Mama to Mama may have affected your back . . . about time for you to begin to be able to take a few tricks again . . . hugs . . .
I was dealing with mama with no thought for my back and in fact i think i am feeling a little better for it. Down to a good ache now, the acute pain is very seldom. Only bad bad when i get in the car, or sit straight down. Otherwise way on the mend. Mama seems a teensy bit better this evening. She actually stood to eat a wee bit. I will give her another potion before I go to bed and see what a few more hours of rest brings.. c
Magic lady of potions and pills – Celi-mama: all the mamas appreciate what you are doing ~ she is trying to get well for you . . . ni – ni and let both of you sleep . . .
It is 6:00 p.m. And I see by your replies, Mama is hanging in there at 5:42 p.m. I sure hope this is a good good sign. Wish I had some magic med advice to offer, but I know nothing about farm animals. I think it was a master stroke to give her Tums! I’m amazed at the quality of your “drugstore” knowledge, Celi. Who knew but you to give her the perfect remedy–calcium. I hope you will have good news tomorrow, and pray you don’t have a long long night . You need to rest after your many ordeals.
Reading this just before 8 PM and praying she will be OK. You too. We do love our animals. Sending you love and hugs