The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: PetiteGalette on January 02, 2015, 12:38:38 pm
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On Monday we found our 7-month old ewe lamb in the field led down and unable to get up. It was a old day and we took her into the barn, wormed her, gave her multi-vits and drenched her with electrolytes. She had been in another enclosure with her brother since she was born but he had to go in with our ram to keep him company when he'd had his fun with the older ewes. We put Chantelle in with the older ewes but she kept calling for her brother and wasn't really settled with the ewes (including her mum).
Her eyes are watering a little and she seems to be loosing some of her fur walking round as she does. She has recovered some of her strength and is now out in the front garden happily eating grass and shuffling along.
any ideas what the problem is - the vet didn't seem to know! and what I can give her to get her to walk again on all fours? She can now balance when stood up but forward motion results in her falling onto her knees..........
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Have you checked between her hooves to see if an infection or something like scald?
"The eyelids may be closed and crusty" is a sign of Pasteurellosis quoting "The Sheep Keepers Veterinary Handbook" by Agnes Winter and Judith Charnley. This was certainly the case with one of mine this week - her eyes had gone to looking like slits and she just kept sitting down but after two does of Tetroxy LA she is great and her eyes wide open again.
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Thanks for your reply.
The first thing we looked for was scald or feet problems but her feet are fine - I did clean them with a Oxytet spray - just in case!
Her eyes aren't crusty - they just seem to be watering - I keep cleaning around them but am thinking of putting some tetracycline cream on to see if that will help...........
P.S, I also gave her some cider vinegar yesterday after reading such good reports about it.
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I'd consult your vet but in the meantime consider giving a shot of antibiotic - she's prime age for pasteurellosis and stress (in this case from being separated) can tip them into illness very quickly.
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I'd probably give her a jab to be safe.
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Hi MF and PL,
We made the vet to give her a jab and she is much better now - she can stand up but is still very wobbly and l goes down on her knees to eat! But, she's in the front garden(!!) where I can keep an eye on her and give her supplementary food and she's still eating well.
Every so often I get her onto her feet so that she can remember what it is like.............
The runny eyes are definitely clearing up.............
many thanks for all yourhelp.