Farm Animals

Sheep Neonatal Hypothermia: Recognition and Emergency Treatment

Hypothermia is the leading cause of neonatal lamb mortality in the UK. Rapid recognition and correct treatment are lifesaving, but incorrect treatment can be fatal.

Key Facts

Hypothermia causes around 50% of lamb deaths in the first 3 days of life
Lambs become hypothermic when rectal temperature falls below 37C
Lambs with temperature 37-39C need colostrum, drying, and shelter
Lambs below 37C need external warming before feeding (glucose risk if fed cold)
Intraperitoneal glucose injection is a last resort for severely hypothermic lambs below 25C
Lambs are at highest risk in wet and windy conditions even at mild temperatures

Welfare Considerations

Hypothermic lambs suffer significantly before death - the progressive loss of consciousness from cold is distressing and prolonged. Farmers who recognise the signs early and apply correct treatment can save lambs that would otherwise die in distress. Incorrect treatment (feeding glucose to lambs below 37C) can cause fatal hypoglycaemia, making knowledge of correct protocols genuinely life-or-death for the animals concerned.

What You Can Do

Train all lambing staff in hypothermia recognition and the temperature-guided treatment protocol
Provide warming boxes at lambing time with accurate thermometers
Ensure adequate supplies of colostrum (or artificial colostrum) at all times
Monitor weather forecasts and increase lambing checks in cold wet conditions
Record lamb mortality causes to identify patterns and target interventions