See that all lambs too weak to get up are suckled. That all ewes with
large udders are caught and milked out. Catch them without rushing them
into a bunch of ewes and young lambs. If you can't, let them go until
you can--watch for this opportunity. Tie or pen them up until the udder
becomes normal and the lamb can get the teat without help. Many ewes
having spoiled udders will come to good milk in a few days, if milked
out well two or three times daily.
When the ewe has a caked udder, or is troubled with what is commonly
known as "blue bag," treat her at once--for she will die if you
don't--by milking out what you can. Then mix one pint of coaloil with
two gallons of hot water, wrap the udder with a heavy rag wet with this
mixture; let it remain for ten minutes, remove, and rub with a mixture
of turpentine and lard, or a weak solution of creosote sheep dip or
carbolic acid. Repeat this treatment each morning and you will surely
save the ewe in a few days. Where the ewe has her udder spoiled on one
side only, the milk being good on the other, she is likely to raise her
lamb. However, all these ewes should be marked, so they may be disposed
of in the fall shipment. When a ewe has "bummed" her lamb because she
has a spoiled udder, take the lamb from her before it becomes too weak,
or dies; find a ewe with a dead lamb, then try to force the "bummed"
lamb upon her as described under twins and their care.