The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Mays on May 20, 2011, 09:58:31 pm
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well, I have a ewe who 2 days after lambing can not rise onto her front legs, however she can get onto her hind legs. Vet has given her antiflams & we have drench for her to boost her, also giving her 6mls pen strep. however vet think she could have a broke tail :(
has anyone had this or recognise the problem?
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NEW one on me??????. Long tailed sheep sometimes break their tail but it never bothers them, if you get a spinal abcess it normally affects the back legs. In most cases of front leg problems ( both legs ) it is foot infection or damage
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I am not a vet or a biologist, but I fail to see how a broken tail could stop a sheep from running let alone getting up. I wait to be illuminated by other, better informed people.
all the best
Sue
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I can't see how a broken tail will stop the ewe from standing, does your vet know a lot about sheep?
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or animals in general :o
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Probably did a whole day coarse on them at vet collage(Before they slept through the hour coarse on goats ;) )
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If she was unable to stand on her hind legs, the vet might have a point. But on her front legs? No that would be a weird diagnosis. Front feet- joint pain or lamitis maybe?? (though didn't think sheep got lamitis as often as horses or goats)
Beth
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Sounds like a foot problem to me, can't for the life of me see how your vet came to that conclusion! but i'm not the one with the qualifications.
We had a tup with laminitis once, really hard to keep them sound once they've got it.
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two days after lambing its clearly something to do with the lambing or the pregnancy. so if the antibiotics and pain killers are not starting to work then another vet needs to see her. have you checked for infections on the front feet. if it was anything to do with her tail that caused her to go lame on her front feet then her entire system would be shot.
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Firstly, sorry I havent updated this post, I have been away withe horse showing and only got back yesterday.
So, the ewe is looking much better, she is standing well but tending to lie down when in the pen. I have cornered off a small area for her to stand and graze. She does want to stand but it takes her a minute to get her balance. Her feet look fine, no rot or anything, I think she went into pregnancy toxima then gave up trying to stand. I have no idea about the experience of the vet, nor was I present when she made her diagnosis so I really cant speculate on her knowledge. I am treating the ewe with her meds and I think she is much improving, though I am feeding the lamb for her.
Hopefully she will improve enough (along with the weather) that I can get her out during the day at least.