Lamb hypothermia help!

[KouignAmann]

I have a tiny 2 day old lamb who managed to get hypothermia last night. Born Saturday, she was up and fine Sunday, but we had bad thunderstorms all last night and now she is a mess.
I've had her in the house in the heat since about 7 am this morning. Her temperature is fluctuating from normal down to below normal, and last check it was 98.8.

I've read to not warm them too quickly, otherwise they can get sick. But it has been 7 hours! She's alive and breathing. She stood up at 9, but hasn't since.
I've given her some electrolytes and I've got some milk.

Does anyone have experience with how long this takes, and what to look for?
I'm currently waiting on my vet to call me back.

 

[Jesusfreak101]

@Baymule

 

[Beekissed]

They say don't feed them until they are warmed and some will do so by putting the lamb into a garbage bag and then submersing it into very warm water. I'd get it up to normal, then feed it some warm milk...normal will be 102-103°F.

Let us know how it all comes out?

 

[KouignAmann]

They say don't feed them until they are warmed and some will do so by putting the lamb into a garbage bag and then submersing it into very warm water. I'd get it up to normal, then feed it some warm milk...normal will be 102-103°F.

Let us know how it all comes out?

I never thought about a garbage bag... That's a great idea. Right now we're in the bathroom with a heater cranked... She's so small... Maybe 2 lbs. I think I could do this in the sink with a gallon ziploc.
I fed her a little warm milk when her temp went up to 99.8, but I haven't since then because it is still continuing to fluctuate and is making me nervous.

 

[Kusanar]

You could also make her a cave with a heating pad under her and blankets over and around her. Could even blow a hair dryer under the blankets if you need the extra warmth, just make sure to keep the head out of the blankets so she isn't breathing the hot air from the hair dryer.

 

[KouignAmann]

The baby didn't make it. I had her in the hot room all day, and the highest her temp got was 101, but it just wouldn't stay there. At the end her temp was at 99.8, and then she just stopped breathing. I am so frustrated.

I guess my question now is, what do I do about the mother and her milk? This is a Soay sheep, so they aren't really for milking purposes. Is there a way to dry her up? I just don't want her to get mastitis or something awful.

 

[messybun]

I’m so sorry you lost it. Two pounds sounds a bit small to start, There was nothing more you could have done. I’ve heard of using a little Epsom salt to help dry up, but usually they do fine on their own.

 

[KouignAmann]

I’m so sorry you lost it. Two pounds sounds a bit small to start, There was nothing more you could have done. I’ve heard of using a little Epsom salt to help dry up, but usually they do fine on their own.

Yeah. The lamb was the smallest I've ever seen/had. I was wondering if she was even a little premature. I"ll look into the Epsom salt, and I'll just keep monitoring to see how she's doing.

 

[messybun]

Yeah. The lamb was the smallest I've ever seen/had. I was wondering if she was even a little premature. I"ll look into the Epsom salt, and I'll just keep monitoring to see how she's doing.

Sounds like it. Sometimes there is just something a little strange about one and they don’t end up making it.

 

[KouignAmann]

Sounds like it. Sometimes there is just something a little strange about one and they don’t end up making it.

I really appreciate your words, and I have to keep remembering that. This farming thing is really hard. I didn't know how much emotional currency it would cost when I started. I love these little sheep, but man, it's rough sometimes.