B534
Management of Lambs and Kids -
Sick Newborns (Examination and Necropsy)

Examination of the Sick Newborn: The diagnosis of a problem in a sick newborn depends on a careful examination. Before actually handling the newborn, step back and look carefully at the entire animal. Look for signs that may indicate if the animal is experiencing pain (hunching, bleating), or where the problem might be located. For example, a kid with a respiratory problem may extend the neck and lower the head to help breathing, or a kid with a problem in the bladder or colon may act like it is straining to defecate. Examine the general condition of the animal. To avoid the temptation of jumping at the apparently obvious symptom and over-looking a potentially more serious problem, always follow the routine outlined below:

1. How old is it? Many problems are age related.
2. Was its birth difficult and/or assisted? It may have suffered severe hypoxia (lack of oxygen), or it may have been injured (fractured ribs).
3. Is ewe/doe thin or diseased? The lamb/kid will have had little colostrum and may be starving.
4. Is the newborn very big? Assume the lamb/kid probably had a difficult birth.
5. Is the newborn very small? It may be premature.
6. Is the newborn weak and unable to stand? A systemic or "whole body" problem such as hypothermia or floppy kid syndrome could be suspected.
7. Is the lamb/kid strong, but unable to stand? A problem affecting nerves or muscle such as swayback should be considered.
8. Is the breathing fast and/or heavy? Consider fractured ribs, pneumonia or prematurity (lungs poorly expanded).
9. Is the lamb/kid lame on one leg? Think of fracture or infectious arthritis.
10. Is the abdomen empty and tucked up. Starvation is a concern.
11. Does the lamb have a poor birth coat? Prematurity or border disease.

The Physical Exam: Use the information found on pages C634 and K634 to help collect and then record the results of the physical exam.

Basic Examination and Necropsy Evaluation of Lambs/Kids: Problems and diseases in newborns are most often observed or occur pre-partum (before birth), partum (during birth), post-partum (after birth). The following information lists these problems according to when they are observed or occur. Details on how to identify each problem at necropsy are also included. The first step a producer should take when a fetus is found or a lamb/kid dies is to determine when the death of the animal occurred; did it happen before, during, or after birth? The following lists include only some of the most common problems that can be diagnosed at necropsy. When a situation arises where the cause of death is unknown, it is advisable that a veterinarian and/or pathologist be involved in the necropsy process.

Problems That Occur or are Observed Pre-partum / Partum:

1. Abortion - Pre-term abortions are identified by decreased fetal size, lack of partum wool (in sheep), or fetal mummification (shrunken, deformed fetus).
2. Spider lamb syndrome - Angular limb deformities (where the limbs are bent in abnormal directions) and/or face and spinal deviations are commonly seen. This problem can also be diagnosed by radiographs (X-rays).

1. Stillborn - These newborns are full-term (normal size) with total lung atelectasis. Atelectasis is a term describing a lung that never inflates with air after birth. The lungs are dark red in color, with no pink, spongy inflated areas.
2. Dystocia/stillborn - These newborns have fluid (edema) accumulated around the head, forelimbs, perineum, and tail. Depending on the degree of decomposition, a foul odor may be present. Often, there is a dark black to green staining color to some of the surfaces of the lamb/kid due to meconium (the first stool) being excreted. If the ewe/doe has been straining significantly, the newborn may have fractured ribs. To remove these lambs/kids, a fetotomy is often required.

1. Intestinal blockage - This can occur because of birth defects or problems like torsions (twists) and abdominal hernias. The sections of bowel that are blocked or injured are purple and often necrotic (deteriorating).
2. Arthrogryposis - These animals have limbs that are held in an abnormal flexed position.
3. Brain and spinal cord abnormalities - These defects can be termed hydranencephaly/cerebellar hypoplasia (absent or small portions of the brain), micromyelia (small spinal cord), and hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain). These conditions can cause many problems in the live newborn including balance problems, a lack of muscle control, and lethargy. An enlarged or swollen head is not an uncommon finding.

1. Starvation - These newborns have normal lung inflation, but often have small amounts of light-colored fluid in the chest (if the newborn is less than 6-8 hours old). There is no evidence of milk in stomach or intestinal tract. In more mature animals, there is little evidence of fat around the heart and kidneys.
2. Pneumonia - The lungs of these newborns are dark purple and firm (consolidated). Some have adhesions or tissue tags that connect the lung to the chest wall. There can be abscesses in the lungs, and the chest may have fluid in it. Most of the lesions in the lungs occur in the front/bottom (anterior/ventral) portions of lungs. This is because the infectious agents (viruses/bacteria) that cause pneumonia have the tendency to settle in the lower areas of the lungs when they are inhaled.
3. Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome - This disease occurs in lambs that are less than a week old and results in incomplete lung inflation. These animals have patchy areas of incomplete lung expansion (atelectasis), mixed with patchy areas of normal inflation.
4. Clostridium perfringens type D (enterotoxemia, overeating disease, pulpy kidney) - This disease occurs most often in animals older than two weeks of age or in feedlot lambs. These animals have sections of intestine that are dark purple and have small areas of hemorrhage. The newborn often appears bloated and may die suddenly.
5. Urethral calculi - Calculi are stones that occur in urinary tract. These stones can cause the bladder or urethra to rupture. Evidence of this can been seen while examining the bladder or by finding urine in the abdomen.
6. Septicemia - This problem is caused by bacteria entering the blood stream and moving throughout the body. These bacteria cause damage to many of the organs they come in contact with. Areas of necrosis (deterioration), hemorrhage, and abscess formation can be found in the liver, lungs, kidneys, and spleen. The joints are often swollen and painful.
7. Omphalophlebitis ("navel ill") - This situation occurs when the navel area becomes infected. As bacteria enter the body through the umbilicus, they spread throughout the body. Signs similar to septicemia can be seen. In the areas around the navel, swelling and fluid can be noticed.
8. White muscle disease - The muscles of the hind-end are often a pale in color and the heart muscle can also be pale with white streaks.
9. Scours - Evidence of diarrhea staining on hind-end, thighs, and tail can be seen. The intestines are fluid filled, with some areas of hemorrhage and inflammation on the intestinal lining.