The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Backinwellies on March 15, 2014, 06:09:15 pm

Title: lamb front knees bit bent/weak
Post by: Backinwellies on March 15, 2014, 06:09:15 pm

Hi

One of my very small twins born Monday has weak front knees.  They are now a little bowed.  Doesn't seem to be any swelling.    Joint Ill or deficiency???  Suggestions for treatment please

Title: Re: lamb front knees bit bent/weak
Post by: Somewhere_by_the_river on March 15, 2014, 06:50:16 pm

Ooh Linda - don't post things like that before I come to visit, I'll want to take it away and look after it!! ;) (Though I think you'll do a better job and the cat will give me the cold shoulder forever if I did.)

Hope someone can help and it all works out okay.

A x

(P.S. Cake ingredients all ready to go...!)

Title: Re: lamb front knees bit bent/weak
Post by: Marches Farmer on March 15, 2014, 08:09:24 pm

Could be joint ill. Suggest speaking to your vet as the correct a/bs could help if so.

Title: Re: lamb front knees bit bent/weak
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 15, 2014, 08:48:26 pm

We get this some years, usually in Texel types, could possibly be a mineral deficiency during pregnancy.  They generally come right once they get some sunshine on them.

Other folks do massages, straightening exercises, splints etc - but I suspect they mostly would all come right on their own.  So long as it can get to mum to feed, and follow her about for safety, I'd leave it to the sun ;)

Title: Re: lamb front knees bit bent/weak
Post by: farmvet on March 15, 2014, 10:16:50 pm

I agree. Its often rickets. Sunshine, or dose with vitamin D. Carrs billington sell 5l tins or if you've just a few lambs Abidec drops from the chemist work fine.  You usually see a dramatic improvement in 48hours

Title: Re: lamb front knees bit bent/weak
Post by: Old Shep on March 15, 2014, 10:19:32 pm

just had a lovely vision of Carrs Billington sellin 5l tins of sunshine.  Wouldn't that be lovely? bulk order for me please.

Title: Re: lamb front knees bit bent/weak
Post by: mowhaugh on March 16, 2014, 09:23:15 am

Quote from: farmvet on March 15, 2014, 10:16:50 pm

Abidec drops from the chemist work fine. 

Fab, I would have never thought of that - my sons both have those every morning, so we always have it in, will remember that.

Title: Re: lamb front knees bit bent/weak
Post by: Deere on March 22, 2014, 08:35:11 pm

Hey,

I took some time off owed to me and went lambing on another farm (busman's holiday) to help some friends out early morning and evening between shifts.

Whilst I was there another much more experienced shepherd was covering the day shift and he treated a lamb similar to the one you described which was weak on its front legs by using some grey pipe lagging cut about five inches long and insulated taped on.

This was used alongside some vit D and after a few days it was well on its way and ready for turning out.

Hope your lambs recovered and racing round in the sunshine with the others  :raining:

Tim