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Lamb Omphalitis
Omphalitis is the infection of the navel of the newborn lamb. At birth, the umbilical cord is an open channel that directly connects the outside and the inside of the body. As long as this cord is not dry, bacteria from the litter can rise...
What is it?
Omphalitis is the infection of the navel of the newborn lamb. At birth, the umbilical cord is an open channel that directly connects the outside and the inside of the body.
As long as this cord is not dry, bacteria from the litter can rise up to it. The infection sometimes remains local, in the form of a large, oozing navel, but it can also spread to the liver, bladder, joints or blood.
It is a disease that can be avoided by a single action, done at the right time: disinfection of the navel from birth.
Commonly observed signs
These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.
Related signs — each one links to its page:
Navel large, thickened, hot, painful to the touch; the lamb stiffens or cries when examined.
Cord that remains moist, oozing, sometimes with pus and a bad odor.
Swelling under the stomach around the navel, sometimes a small hard lump which persists.
Slaughtered lamb, which suckles less or not at all, hollow stomach, bristling hair.
Fever.
Visible growth delay compared to lambs of the same age.
If the infection has spread: swollen joints and lameness, tense stomach, difficulty urinating, or lamb which suddenly collapses.
When to consult without delay
This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.
Causes and risk factors
Ordinary bacteria present in the litter and on the walls of the sheepfold rise through the umbilical cord, which is still damp, in the hours following birth.
The germs involved are most often colibacillus, streptococci, staphylococci and bacteria of intestinal origin.
The cord is not simply a surface wound: it is a vessel which leads to the liver and the bladder, which explains why the infection can reach these organs.
A lamb that has not received its colostrum does not have the antibodies that would block these passing bacteria.
Navel not disinfected or disinfected too late after birth.
Lambing on damp, dirty litter, or on bare ground; uncleaned lambing pens between two ewes.
Overcrowded sheepfold in the middle of the lambing season.
Insufficient or late colostrum.
Cord cut too short or handled with dirty hands.
Weak lamb, multiple litter lamb, lamb that remains lying on the litter for a long time.
Poor ventilation and humidity prevent the cord from drying out.
Transmission
The infection does not pass from one lamb to another: each lamb becomes infected at its place of birth.
What is circulating is the contamination of the building. A lambing pen soiled by a previous ewe, damp bedding, bare ground, contaminate each newborn born there.
The farmer's hands and equipment can also carry bacteria when used from one lamb to another without washing.
Diagnosis and care
Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.
A large, warm or oozing belly button warrants a call to the veterinarian: it's not impressive from a distance, but the infection may already be inside.
The veterinarian palpates the navel and stomach to assess the extent of the infection, and looks to see if an internal cord is indurated towards the liver or towards the bladder.
He takes the temperature, examines the joints and eyes for diffusion, and assesses the lamb's general condition.
An ultrasound of the abdomen is sometimes useful to see what palpation does not show.
If there are several cases in the same batch, he examines the lambing conditions: this is almost always where the cause lies.
He will distinguish an infection from an umbilical hernia, which is an opening in the wall without infection and does not require the same treatment.
Treatment
Treatment is based on antibiotic therapy prescribed by the veterinarian, adapted and continued for a long enough time: a deep infection cannot be resolved in two days.
An anti-inflammatory is often combined for the pain, so that the lamb can start suckling again.
Local navel care is carried out according to the veterinarian's instructions.
When an abscess has formed or the infection persists despite treatment, surgery may be necessary to remove infected tissue.
The lamb is placed dry on thick, clean litter, with its mother, and helped to suckle if it has lost the habit.
Do not attempt to pierce, cut or squeeze a swollen belly button: you risk pushing the infection inward and injuring the lamb.
Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.
Prevention
Disinfect the navel from birth with a suitable veterinary product, by soaking or brushing the entire cord, and repeat the operation if the cord remains damp. This is the reference measurement.
Do not cut the cord shorter than it naturally is, or handle it with dirty hands.
Make sure the lamb takes its colostrum quickly.
Lamb on clean, dry and abundant litter; clean and re-mulch the pens between two sheep.
Ventilate without creating a draft at floor level, so that the litter and cords dry.
Avoid overcrowding the sheepfold and separate newborns from older lambs.
Wash your hands between litters, especially after handling a sick lamb.
Empty, clean and disinfect the sheepfold between two lambing seasons.
Possible complications
Extension to the liver, with formation of abscesses sometimes only discovered at the slaughterhouse.
Extension to bladder and urethra, with difficulty in urinating.
Joint infection: lamb's polyarthritis very often starts from an infected navel.
Passage of bacteria into the blood, with damage to several organs and possible death.
Chronic abscess of the stomach wall, which only heals after surgery.
Sustainable growth retardation and downgraded animal for sale.
When to see a veterinarian
Your lamb's belly button is large, hot, hard or painful.
It oozes, smells bad, or leaks pus.
The lamb is slaughtered, suckles less, has a fever.
He is limping or a joint is swollen: the infection has probably spread.
He has difficulty urinating or his stomach is tense.
Several lambs in the lot have a large navel: have your lambing conditions reviewed without delay.
Prognosis
An infection caught early, still limited to the navel, usually heals well with comprehensive treatment.
An infection that has already spread to the liver, bladder or joints is much more difficult to treat, and the lamb often remains stunted.
At the herd level, omphalitis disappears when disinfection of the navel becomes a systematic procedure at each birth.
Frequently asked questions
The navel dries on its own, do you really need to disinfect it?
Yes. Between birth and complete drying, the cord is a wide open door to the lamb's liver and blood. Disinfection speeds up drying and blocks bacteria. It’s the most profitable move of the lambing season.
Should we cut the cord?
No, it should not be shortened. A cord cut short bleeds more and dries less well. We leave it as is and disinfect it.
Can I pierce a swollen belly button to get the pus out?
No. You risk pushing the infection inside the belly and injuring the lamb. It is up to the veterinarian to assess whether and how to intervene.
How to distinguish an infection from a navel hernia?
A hernia is soft, painless, often reducible under the finger, without fever or discharge. An infection is hot, hard, painful and oozing. Only an examination allows you to decide with certainty.
References
AVMA — American Veterinary Medical Association
Content reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team · Updated 09 August 2026
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