Worming Sheep

Recently, I noticed that one of my Valais Blacknose lambs, Lulu, who was born in March of this year, looked a little worse for wear. Although she was eating and drinking, her back legs and bottom were covered in excrement, and her little stomach was sunken. The day before, she had seemed absolutely fine, which is why it is vital to check your sheep daily, as things can quickly go downhill once a sheep succumbs to an illness.

I only have a small flock of a dozen sheep; they are all very tame. They know their names and run to me whenever I approach their paddock. Admittedly, they are more excited if I carry a bucket of feed, but they also come for cuddles!

Despite not looking great, Lulu still came running up to me, ready for petting and her breakfast, but I was worried about how thin she looked. My immediate thought was worms. Usually, when a lamb loses weight suddenly, this is the most obvious reason why.

After worming her, she was given a vitamin drench, and I mixed some of her feed with a little plain yoghurt. She enjoyed having her own special bowl and the additional attention I gave her, but she wasn’t happy when I brought out a bucket of warm, soapy water and a towel! Luckily, it was a nice, dry day and not too cold, so I washed her back legs and bottom, and she instantly began to look better.

Over the next couple of days, I noticed a huge improvement in her appearance. She needed another bath until the diarrhoea had completely subsided, but her appetite remained high, and she was drinking lots of fresh water, which was also a good sign.

Within three or four days, I wouldn’t have been able to tell that she had been poorly at all. She bounced back to full health, and I was so pleased to see her running around the paddock with the rest of the flock without a care in the world!


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