Weak lamb with crusty ears and eyes?

[BunnyTree]

One of our lambs is very weak and lethargic (gets knocked over and easily and is slow to get back up) and has crusty ears and around eyes. Her coat is thick in some spots, thin in others. Anyone have an idea as to what this could be? I’ve included a few photos

 

[mysunwolf]

She is very thin and looks like she could use some nutrition. I would be suspicious for a heavy worm load as well--have you had a fecal done or checked her FAMACHA score?

The crustiness may be fungal, an allergy, or could be mild photosensitivity, but is unrelated to her weakness and thinness.

Treatment would be to assess worm load and deworm with appropriate wormer (we personally like to use a combination of Prohibit/Levamisole and Valbazen at the same time in lambs and non-pregnant, non-breeding sheep). Then supportive care for anemia such as power punch, nutridrench, or another vitamin/mineral liquid that contains iron. Also some vitamin B complex injections for appetite stimulation. Separate this lamb onto dry lot or clean pasture and slowly introduce a tiny amount of grain, along with feeding your best grass hay free choice.

 

[Baymule]

Good advice.

 

[Mini Horses]

Agree with advice...I'll throw this in -- did you give CDT to ewes before lambing? To lambs at appropriate age? Do provide vit/min. Do give probiotics daily for a while. Toxins in gut are off and nutrition isn't being absorbed. The "why" is the thing you're trying to resolve.

So, worms? Coccidiosis? Enterotoxemia? Those are first ones we consider....as they're most prevalent.

 

[Mini Horses]

How's the lamb doing?

 

[BunnyTree]

How's the lamb doing?

She seems less lethargic and a bit stronger, we did find worms in some of our other sheeps feces…de-wormed her and going from there. I’ve just started working on this farm and so am not sure how lambing was handled…but seems to be looking better!

 

[Mini Horses]

Hope she continues to improve. 🤞👍

 

[Baymule]

I’m glad she is better!