The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: SuffolkLab on March 01, 2016, 06:59:22 pm

Title: Lamb won't put hind leg down
Post by: SuffolkLab on March 01, 2016, 06:59:22 pm

Hi all,

I bought a few ewes with lambs at foot from a market last Monday, but toward of the end of the week this lamb had gone lame. The vet had a look and gave it a jab of metacam as well as an antibiotic, although she couldn't feel anything wrong with the leg or joints, just as a precautionary measure. The lamb now however, is reluctant to put the leg down at all. Previously if it was chased(to catch it) it would use the leg, however if I follow it now, it is running on 3 only.

Has anyone experienced this previously or got any tips/tricks to try before I have to go up the vets again?

Thanks in advance,

Suffolklab

PS all the other are fine as far as I can tell.

Title: Re: Lamb won't put hind leg down
Post by: fsmnutter on March 01, 2016, 07:08:36 pm

If not putting weight on it at all, as a vet I'd be worried it had a fracture.
I'd get the vet again or pop it in to the surgery for an appointment.

Title: Re: Lamb won't put hind leg down
Post by: shep53 on March 01, 2016, 08:22:57 pm

VET could be physical  or infection ( joint ill )

Title: Re: Lamb won't put hind leg down
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 01, 2016, 10:03:38 pm

I'd also consider tick-borne diseases.  We get the occasional lamb is lame here, no obvious problems but clearly sore in the leg or legs.  Now we treat at-risk groups with anti-tick meds, and have not had the same problem.

It's been a very mild winter, I was still finding ticks on the collie dog in December.  :thinking:

Title: Re: Lamb won't put hind leg down
Post by: Sbom on March 02, 2016, 10:58:47 am

Could have a thorn and gradually developing an abscess in its foot maybe?

Title: Re: Lamb won't put hind leg down
Post by: Marches Farmer on March 02, 2016, 11:52:32 am

If I want to check for a fracture I close my eyes (which concentrates the sensation of touch) and feel very gently down both legs - one for each hand - so I have a sound leg to compare it with.  Does the joint feel warmer than the other one?  If so it's likely an infection.  Is it swollen?  If it's a thorn there may be pus oozing from the entry point.

Title: Re: Lamb won't put hind leg down
Post by: Buttermilk on March 02, 2016, 01:10:13 pm

Are the ewe and lamb in a restricted area or is the lamb having to move around a lot to keep up with others?  Could it have been stood on and got severe bruising?  If the vet found nothing and there is still no heat noticeable anywhere then try restricting its movement and maybe get more metacam for it.  Vets are often happy to talk on the phone, especially if they have already seen the animal.

Title: Re: Lamb won't put hind leg down
Post by: SuffolkLab on March 08, 2016, 03:20:24 pm

Thank you all for your replies, I restricted the area in which the lamb was and it seems to be making slow progress so I'm a little more happy about it. May whip it up the vet if it is not much better by the end of the week, but so far so good.