Hypothermia is a leading cause of death in neonatal lambs. Mild to moderate hypothermia is characterized by a body temperature between 98° and 102°F. Severe hypothermia occurs when body temperature is below 98°F. Hypothermia is caused by excess body heat loss combined with reduced heat production. Newborn lambs are unable to regulate their body temperature during their first 36 hours.
Severely hypothermic lambs need to be removed from the ewe for treatment. If they are less than five hours old, they should receive an intraperitoneal injection of a warm 20 percent dextrose (glucose) solution. Wet lambs should be towel dried and supplemented with heat or put in a warming box using dry heat (heat lamp or hair drier). Colostrum should be tube fed at a rate of 20 to 25 ml per pound of body weight. Once rectal temperature is normal, lambs may be returned to their dams.
Losses due to hypothermia can be prevented by providing ewes with adequate shelter for lambing, shearing ewes prior to lambing, confining ewes and lambs for one or two days to promote bonding, checking ewes for adequate milk production, and helping lambs suckle to ensure adequate colostrum intake.