The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Penninehillbilly on November 23, 2012, 01:11:49 am
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HI
Hoping someone can advise me.
I got a couple of cade lambs in June. one was a real struggle to get/keep going, she is now doing well, but is still quite abit smaller than the other.
On Tuesday I noticed she was holding her head to one side, I thought it was because she was asking for her bottle, she tends to cock her head sideways as she's drinking, (she is still on about 250ml x2 a day)
Today (Thursday) the tilt was much more evident, occasionally almost 90deg, as though she was looking up with her left eye, but sometimes normal,. she's still crazy for her bottle, and lamb mix, seems to be eating hay but may be just nibbling at it. They've been in all day because of the weather, they are in the same building as the goats so tend to be let out at the same time, (different field) but brought in about 10pm. The other lamb does bully her, so I feed her outside the pen.
Any ideas please?
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It could be a number of things; this bulletin from NADIS (http://www.nadis.org.uk/bulletins/nervous-disease-in-sheep.aspx) has a pic at the bottom of the page of a lamb with a middle ear infection, looks a lot like yours sounds.
I'd treat with penicillin and B-vits, that covers most of the things it could be. I don't know what your plan is for this animal, but if it's the freezer and she's nearly ready, take note of the withdrawal period of the antibiotics.
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I was going to say an ear infection too, got a calf with one at the moment. I would ring the vet but as above poster says be careful about withdrawal periods.
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Yes we have just had a ewe with what I think must have been an ear infection showing the tilted head, she does look down and bothered, not having seen this before we also wondered about it being a neurological problem, however she responded well to a course of antibiotics and we also covered her with B vits - Combivit and Intravit, it took quite a few days before she recovered. She didn't go of her food at all during this time, but I think her ear was certainly causing her discomfort, we also gave her something for the pain. Am hoping she doesn't lose her lambs as a result of the infection.
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Many thanks, that does sound like her, almost a relief, as my first thoughts were listeriosis, but she's not depressed at all.
Would Amycillin (I think that's the one, it's over in the barn) do the job, or do I need the vet for something different?
Where do I get Combivit / Intravit - vet or agri supplies?
thanks for the adivice
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Combivit and Intravit can be purchased from agri suppliers for a few pounds, although vets should also have it and may just sell you a does, we gave our ewe ultrapen, I would probably call your vet to check as I think penicillin is indicated for ear infections, but other antibiotics may be suitable too, we also wondered about listeriosis, and very few antibiotics are suitable for treating that but penicillin is one of them.