Pinkeye Pinkeye in lambs is caused by chlamydia and mycoplasma bacteria. Pinkeye is contagious and infected lambs should be removed from the flock until they have recovered. The infection may last a few days to several weeks. Moderate to severe infections require antibiotics. Mild infections may clear up by themselves. The first sign of pinkeye infection is the reddening and swelling of the lining of the eye. There will be a discharge with tearing and matted eyes.The eyes will be sensitive to light and will tear up. The lamb may close its eyes when exposed to sunlight.The lamb suffers pain when infected with pinkeye. The eye may cloud over and develop a painful ulcer. The severe infections will cause the eyes to rupture and lead to blindness. It cannot be transferred from lambs to humans. It is transmitted by flies, dust and other nasty things that are living in your lambing shed. The best prevention of pinkeye is good clean husbandry of your stock. G eneral Eye Inf...

Arthritis This is caused due to a bacterial infection. It may be treated with antibiotic's. Bacterial Meningitis Lambs may get this at 2 to 4 weeks of age. Inadequate intake of colostrum makes the lamb more susceptible to this infection. The lamb will hold his head rigidly downward when infected. Hypothermia Common cause of death in young lambs. Lambs cannot regulate their temperature during the first day and a half of life. Lambs need to be in a clean draft free environment protected by their mother. Copper Deficiency  The lamb will have difficulty walking and standing. Enterotoxemia Type C It is a bacteria found in the soil. You need to vaccinate the ewe against this before lambing. Infection arrives when there is  a change in feeding. It causes bleeding in the small intestine of young lambs. Enterotoxemia Type D The ewe needs to be vaccinated against this before lambing. Overfeeding of the lamb causes the bacteria that are already prese...