Eyelids fused??

[Keren]

The neighbour dropped off two poddy lambs the other night . . . long story. Anyway when I had got them drinking I had thought that the smaller one had a sort of conjunctivitis thing going on in one eye, so have been treating that. But when you open the eye, it almost looks like the eyelids can't physically open as wide as the normal eye. Like they are fused or something with just a small opening in the middle.

Sorry I haven't worded this very well at all, but I'm getting kinda tired between newborn lambs and uni assignments :lol:

Anyone heard of this and/or know what to do about it?

They are from a $10 000 ram so the guy doesn't really want to lose them.

 

[cowvet]

can you post pictures?

 

[ChrisB]

You may be describing inverted eyelids which is somewhat common in newborn lambs. Are the eyes watering? If that is the problem there are some clips you can put on the eyelid that will correct the problem. The clips will eventually fall out, it is easy to do and only takes a minute.

Sorry, I'm not sure how to post a link but you can go to this site:

http://www.pipevet.com/lamb.asp?cat=9

If you dig around a little on the Pipestone Vet site, I'm sure you will find help. Or you can give them a call, they are a great resource for sheep.

Oops, I just noticed you are from Australia. Might be a little impractical doing business with them, but you still may be able to find help on their website.

 

[cowvet]

If it is entropion (inturned eyelids) - then the ram has suddenly lost a lot of its value!!!

 

[Keren]

Thanks for the replies. They are not inverted, which I have had experience with. Doesn't seem to be affecting the lamb health wise so at the moment I am just waiting to see how it progresses.