There are few things as frustrating at this time to the sheep farmer as a ewe with a “reed out” or prolapsed vagina.  This is one of the most common pre lambing problems we encounter.

The prolapsed vagina and uterus are commonly confused. 

The ‘reed out’ is a prolapsed vagina about 10-20 cm in diameter and occurs in the last few weeks of pregnancy, before lambing. 

The ‘lamb bed out’ is a prolapsed uterus and occurs only after lambing and is a large irregular structure usually extending below the hock.