The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Porterlauren on July 12, 2014, 07:02:24 pm

Title: Strike in foot.
Post by: Porterlauren on July 12, 2014, 07:02:24 pm
Was looking over the lambs today, seen one limping. Gathered them in and went through all of their feet, mostly fine, but one (the limper) had foot rot in her front right foot. Worst still, she had been struck there, I could see a small bunch of maggots  between her hoof at the heel end. So I lightly trimmed it, sprayed some crovect in/on there and gave her a jab of Alamycin. Going to keep an eye on her and get her in again Monday to see how it's looking.

Bastard Flies.

Any other tips?
Title: Re: Strike in foot.
Post by: shep53 on July 12, 2014, 07:09:10 pm
Always check the stomach area of sheep with foot strike , when they lie down the foot can transfer smell and  staining which can sometimes attract maggots , just spray any staining with crovect
Title: Re: Strike in foot.
Post by: Marches Farmer on July 12, 2014, 07:40:35 pm
Consider vaccinating with Footvax.  Treat, vaccinate, move to ground ungrazed for 3 weeks, keep a closed flock - no more footrot.
Title: Re: Strike in foot.
Post by: Porterlauren on July 12, 2014, 07:48:38 pm
Does the vaccine actually work? And is it economically viable? Not sure how it would work using rented ground as well, and moving sheep around.

I was just planning on getting her good, keeping the flock closed, and moving them onto clean grazing and marking her down as not to breed replacements from.
Title: Re: Strike in foot.
Post by: Fleecewife on July 12, 2014, 08:24:32 pm

I wouldn't worry too much about the maggots in the foot itself.  Sounds disgusting but they will have cleaned out the foot very well and hopefully not started on the flesh.  Just check the rest of the fleece as Shep53 says and only be concerned if the maggots are elsewhere.  They used maggots on suppurating human wounds very effectively before antibiotics.