Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: andywalt on March 09, 2011, 06:44:40 pm
Title: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: andywalt on March 09, 2011, 06:44:40 pm
Hi all
One of my ewe lambs is massive, alot larger than the others, Ive noticed today that she is slighty limping in the field on one of her back legs, she may have got a knock at the trough but I thought Id ask the question about joint ill? Ive heard of it before in calves, can anyone give advise on what causes joint ill and what the medication would be? Its hard to see if its the thigh or angle joint, if it doesnt start getting better over the next day and starts to get worse, other than calling the vet what would you give me for advise please?
regards Andy
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: kaz on March 09, 2011, 06:51:55 pm
I was given to understand that joint ill is caused normally at birth when naval is not completely cleansed. Forgive me if I'm wrong. I always iodine at birth and they also get a pump of scour halt.
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: andywalt on March 09, 2011, 06:54:02 pm
All the navels had iodine, is that the only cause?
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: Freddiesfarm on March 09, 2011, 07:03:11 pm
It is an infection which can be taken in at birth. Sometimes no matter how clean and conscientious you are they still get it. Keep an eye for a day or so and if no better catch the lamb and feel to see if/where there is any heat in the leg.
I am not a vet and would not tell you to do anything specific veterinary wise, but I treat lambs with joint ill with 5ml betamox LA and then repeat 3 days later. If still no better speak to the vet about a stronger anti-biotic.
Remember it can be fatal if the lamb does not feed.
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: kaz on March 09, 2011, 07:13:40 pm
I would agree that it is taken in at birth. The joint will probably be hot & swollen and very painful. If you can catch the lamb and check it's joints you can then make a decision what to do. Ask your vet if in any doubt. I would recommend "The Veterinary Book for Sheep Farmers" at the worst it will show you what they can suffer from and give you a good guideline to work from.
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: kaz on March 09, 2011, 07:18:28 pm
I would also check the lambs feet to make sure they are o.k.
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: shep53 on March 09, 2011, 08:20:33 pm
There are other causes of joint ill. Lambs of any age can get it, they can pick up infection from the soil through a cut or scratch. Often the open wounds made by rubber rings allow infection in. As said if joint ill will be hot and swollen. If a ewe has footrot she can pass this to her lamb/s in the form of joint ill this can lead to abcesses on the liver. There is also navel ill in very young lambs where the navel gets pus filled. As a smallholder with few sheep the odds are you may never see any of these ,so dont panic ;D :wave:
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: Elissian on March 09, 2011, 08:48:42 pm
what's your grass like? If its lush then it could be scald.Look for a reddening between the cleat of the hoof. Easily cured with an antibiotic spray from the vet.
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: Rosemary on March 10, 2011, 09:48:06 am
One of my lambs got joint-ill two years ago. I'd used iodine on the navel but it was several weeks after birth. Vet said it could have been a cut or graze that allowed the infection in. We (including the vet) thought she was going to die. She had two huge doses of strong antibiotics from the vet and two courses of others that we gave her via the vet. He asked if he could do a PM on her!!!
Anyway, she's in lamb now and looks great.
But it is serious so maybe vet advice would be in order.
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: humphreymctush on March 10, 2011, 10:56:20 am
check its not a foot abscess
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: woollyval on March 10, 2011, 12:30:34 pm
Considering the age of your lambs, how big and strapping they are from your pics and the fact you have rough grass there I would go 99.9% its not joint ill!.....I have a hunch that you just have a big heavy lamb with scald/strip! Green AB spray from vet will sort it out nicely...do all of her feet not just affected one!
I had a lamb about 11 years ago that got joint ill and it was a lot younger .......they are most usually under 2-3 weeks......
I do know that from experience commercial type lambs are more prone to foot issues such as scald/strip as they have big feet and are heavy....!
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: andywalt on March 10, 2011, 05:10:58 pm
Thanks for all your views,
This morning she was looking a little better not so tender on the one back leg, i caught her up and felt her joints, there was no heat and didnt seem to be any swelling, I also checked her hoofs as I thought maybe a staple may have got lodged as there has been fencing done recently, but all was fine,she was eating her nuts and hay this morning so hopefully maybe she just had a knock.
Its really good to know for future events all a learning curve !!!
I will keep you posted
Andy
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: TheCaptain on March 10, 2011, 09:54:40 pm
Andy, get some blue spray from your vets - I looked out last week to see the majority of my sheep limping >:( >:( >:( , grass was quite wet and long and was aware of scald. Sprayed all of their feet and they've been as good as new since.
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: andywalt on March 11, 2011, 07:23:44 am
Yes I have the blue anti biotic spray in stock,
Hopefully when I go and check them in a while she wont be limping and it was just a knock
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: Rosemary on March 11, 2011, 08:55:06 am
One of my ewes was dead lame in front last week. I caught her at the feed trough and pulled a thorn out of her foot - next day she was fine. I suppose hope for the best and plan for the worst is the best way with sheep :)
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: woollyval on March 11, 2011, 05:03:31 pm
Don't forget if 2 feet hurt they sometimes seem a bit better.....its hard to limp with 2 sore feet!!! :D
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: andywalt on March 15, 2011, 03:34:04 pm
woolyshepard and elisian I think you are right, I checked again and looked right in the cleat, and then saw a small sore right in the crease, easy to miss so I have sprayed it with anti biotic spray and hopefully it will clear up, thank for telling me it made me check again !!
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: Elissian on March 16, 2011, 10:06:23 pm
glad you've sorted it. an agri student told me about scald when i had limping lambs last year, always learning.
Title: Re: Large Lamb Limping !! Joint ill?
Post by: andywalt on March 17, 2011, 03:15:00 pm
yup and all cured today !! perfect, thanks very much indeed
now I have another lamb with a very brown watery bum !! and looking under the weather !! new topic posted