Lamb born with no anus escapes dire situation with human help

[Edgar’s Mission]

Thanks to an attentive owner and a dedicated team of veterinarians, a young lamb with an unusual illness has received a second chance at life.

Pam Ahern works at a not for profit sanctuary for rescued farmed animals called Edgar’s Mission in Victoria, Australia. She brought a sick and suffering lamb named Harry to the space on Aug. 21, 2016, after it was surrendered by a farmer.

The animal wasn’t eating or putting on any weight. Upon inspection, Ahern found he was missing a crucial part of his body: his anus.

The condition is called atresia ani, which is a congenital disease where the membrane separating the rectum and anus hasn’t ruptured properly, according to The Dodo.

An invasive procedure would be required, leaving workers at Australian clinic The Vet Practice and the sanctuary worried that Harry might not make it through the operation and recovery.

“We held grave fears for Harry pulling through,” Ahern told The Dodo. “Surgery is always risky on sheep, even more so on lambs, and even more so (for) very sick little ones like Harry.”

Fortunately for those concerned about the potential risks, the operation was a success.

However, the lamb’s recovery wasn’t easy. Harry needed to have his milk served in a bowl because he was too weak to bottle feed and had to be carried around until he was strong enough to walk.

Harry is just one success story to come out of Edgar’s Mission. There are currently more than 450 rescued farm animals living at the sanctuary ranging from cows to pigs to chickens.