The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Rosemary on June 10, 2009, 09:02:09 pm
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I had to take Lyra, our only ewe lamb, to the vet tonight. She's become stiff in her back legs. I though maybe one of the tup lambs had hurt her - she's the youngest and the other two are thugs.
The vet thinks she has "stiff lamb disease" or a spinal abcess - in either case, there's not much chance for her surviving. He gave her a cocktail of antibiotics and I've got stuff to give her tomorrow and Friday and she's to go back on Friday unless she's worse in which case, she'll have to be put down. It's caused by the same organism that causes Swine erysipelas.
I'm absolutely gutted. She's 3 weeks plus and a big strong lamb and I just can't believe it. Apart from the stiffness, she looks great.
Apparently the spinal abcess is caused by using rubber rings for tailing. I thought I was doing the right thing. I've never heard of this before.
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I'm sorry to read the news. hope things improve;
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Sorry to hear that Rosemary. I have not had or know of anyone who have had problems with the rings on the tail. How old was she when you put the ring on?
I hope everything goes well for her.
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About four days old, so I was sure she was suckling well. In fact, i never saw her in any way affected by the ring.
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I would ring my lambs also within the first few days and no later than 7, depending on how well they are in themselves, so don't beat yourself up about that as you have done it within the timescale and as far as you were aware she was healthy at the time. Lets hope everything works out o.k.for her.
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Very sorry to hear about your lamb. I've never seen or heard of tail ringing causing such problems.
One of my cats had a spinal abscess, caused by a bite from a feral. He responded to treatment well and is now fine.
Fingers & hooves crossed for your lamb :sheep:
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Rosemary - sorry to read about your ewe lamb
what bad luck yours couldn't be better looked after
hope it turns out to be ok
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Well, keep the fingers crossed - she's looking a lot better. Her right leg is still a bit stiff but she's walking almost normally and she can pee properly now - she couldn't squat earlier in the week. She's had more antibiotics today so we'll see how she goes.
Thanks for your good wishes - I've told her everyone's rooting for her.
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Were the eggs OK?
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cant see the problem being rubber ringing. our lambs are usually older than 7 days when we ring them and never any problems
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Thats good news Rosemary, lets hope she continues to improve what a nightmare for you.
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Annie, the eggs were fine. What was the blue one? Hope you haven't sneaked a duck in. She pushed one egg out ??? but is VERY happy sitting on the others.
Kaz, Lyra got more antibiotics yesterday and she's almost back to normal today so findgers crossed that it's an end to this episode.
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Good luck with the hatching Rosemary, good to hear that the lamb is improving. :)
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Hope you haven't sneaked a duck in.
I put a note in with them to say I only had 5 ex batts and had put a duck one in. If it hatches I'll have it back if you don't want it.
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Will the duck egg have any chance of hatching when all the hens would hatch a week earlier?
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Pleased to hear little Lyra's on the mend :sheep:
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Bless - just saw your post about wee Lyra. Hope she makes a full recovery. :bouquet:
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It's all gone pear shaped this morning. Lyra's really miserable. She's not stiff but her mouth is watery and I think she's uncomfortable in her belly. She's not scouring. I've to take her to the vet at 11 but he thinks it might be a bowel torsion, in which case it's curtains for Lyra.
I know I have to toughen up but I feel sick.
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Sorry to read about Lyra, I do hope everything goes Ok at the vets.
I'll be thinking of you.
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Rosemary, hope all goes well at the vets, I will be thinking of you both. :)
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Sorry to hear that Lyra has gone downhill again, hope it all works out ok, but if not you've done everything you could do for her, best wishes
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More antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and painkillers. He doesn't know what it is but thinks it's very serious - may be a torsion of the bowel. She seemed abit brighter when I brought her home but that's the medication kicking in. He want's to do post mortem if she doesn't pull through. He said he once PMd 4 lambs who all dies after displaying almost identical symptoms and they had all died of different things. How can you win with sheep?
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There is a saying around here with the blue faced liecesters... They ought to be born with a spade attached --cos you'll soon need one to bury it
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Eight days of antibiotics now. Although I couldn't catch her at lunchtime and she was fighting back tonight, when Dan caught her for her jag. THat must be a good sign, surely?
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Where there's fight there's hope...keep your chin up, we're all routing for you and Lyra, good luck
Farmer
:farmer:
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Sorry, shoudl ahve updated this. Lyra's fine (or as fine as any sheep can be i.e. not dead) - she's running around, eating her head off and avoiding me like the plague. And I got the vet bill today and it was only £32 - so I think she was well worth it!
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Is that break-even? ;) ;D ;D
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If she'd been a dog or cat, it would have been a whole lot more than £32. I'm sure she's suitably grateful and will reward me with oodles of lambs over the next umpty years!