Lambing preparation

Nothing very interesting has happened as of late.  Here's the quick sum up:  I passed my first exams, classes run all day this semester it seems, the weather has gotten nicer, and I go lambing starting on Sat.

About two weeks ago we did our lambing practicals which was the first instance*; which is bound to be one of many; where I donned an OB glove.

 

These are the gloves that go up to your shoulder that are used to protect you during lambing/calfing or rectal palpation.

Here are some pictures of the ewes and newly born lambs.

There were three parts of the practical then a review.  The first part we talked about different scenarios that could happen while lambing and how we would handle them.  These scenarios included making sure the lamb got enough colostrum, how to foster, and castration/tail docking.  The next part showed us how to stomach tube, how to check for colostrum intake, and how to spot an ewe preparing for lambing.

*~*If you are the least bit squeamish, STOP READING NOW*~*

The last part was slightly disturbing but I can see how it helps us.  It involved a tub with a hole in the side, filled partially with water.  Attached to the outside of the hole was a plastic bag/tube which went into the tub, passing through the pelvic outlet of a salvaged sheep pelvis.  Inside the tub were two dead lambs.  The idea is that you take the lambs and position them in various ways and practice assisting the birth.

An example, although we had MUCH bigger ones that we worked with.

Now I understand the purpose of practicing but I'm a little unsure of why it had to be real lambs.  I think it would be fairly easy to make a realistic manikin instead.  There doesn't seem to be any reason I can think of why it had to be real dead lambs.  A manikin could easily be made that moves and weighs the same as a lamb.  

On Friday after class I leave for my 2 week lambing placement.  I will be 2 hours south-west of Edinburgh in a small town called Castle Douglas.  It's just a little down and to the left of Dumfries on this map.

View Larger Map

From the research I have done I will have no internet access. *gasp*!  If I have time between lambing shifts, studying and sleeping I will try to write some posts while I'm gone.  It will have to wait till I'm back home before I can post though.

That's all for now folks!

P.S.  I absolutely LOVE the pic I took of the lamb with the sun streaming in on the top of it's head.

* Technically it was the second.  The first time was during the sheep scanning, but that's not the same.  This would be the first time it was put on for the semi-intended purpose.