As winter lambing approaches, it is worthwhile to review the care of newborn lambs. At this time of year one of the major concerns is hypothermia. Lambs can recover from hypothermia as long as care is taken to identify whether the lamb is hypoglycemic prior to treatment. In order to save lambs with hypothermia, it is necessary to take their temperature. The normal rectal temperature for a newborn lamb is between 39°C and 40°C. A lamb with a rectal temperature between 37°C and 39°C is considered to have mild hypothermia. Lambs with mild hypothermia should be fed colostrum by stomach tube. A lamb with a rectal temperature less than 37°C is considered to have moderate to severe hypothermia. Lambs with severe hypothermia are treated differently if they are less than 5 hours old or greater than 5 hours old. If they are less than 5 hours old, they need to be warmed up prior to feeding, but if they are greater than 5 hours old they need colostrum if they are able to swallow or an intraperitoneal glucose injection if they are not able to swallow prior to being warmed up.
A complete explanation is available here in the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs factsheet: Hypothermia in Newborn Lambs.
Click below for a one page PDF of the hypothermia flowchart shown in the factsheet above that you can print and take to the barn.
Click below for a PDF of a large poster with a full explanation on how to treat lambs with hypothermia.
More information on lambs and lambing is available in the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs factsheets: Assisting the Ewe at Lambing and Care of the Newborn Lamb.
