The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: [email protected] on March 27, 2017, 08:21:05 pm
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I have accidentally cut one of my sheep's hooves too deeply and blood spurted out. I applied iodine and some tar to seal it. Also sprayed antibiotic. Feel very upset as I do my utmost to give them a good life - we have five sheep and they're our pets and I look after them to the best of my ability. Can someone advise please?
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I would say you've done everything you can and the sheep should be fine, it might be worth bringing them in for a couple of days on a clean dry bed (I did this with mine) as it gives it chance to heal without getting mud, stones etc in it.
I did something similar yesterday, we only have 6 pet ewes who have just produced our first lovely bunch of lambs. one of them had a slight runny bum so I was bathing it, a couple of bit had dried so I very carefully trimmed the fleece of and accidentally cut the lamb. I felt terrible (the lamb didn't even notice) but I just bathed it with the disinfectant and applied antibiotic spray, seems to be healing and the lamb is running around none the wiser !
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I suggest holding the footshears flat against the sole of the foot - that way you'll always have the thickness of the lower blade as a safety cushion. Don't cut around the "bulb" at the back of the clee, unless it's torn and just needs a tag taken off to stop it ripping further. This will keep the horn layer under a degree of tension and help prevent shelly hoof. If you're on sandy or rocky soil they won't need much trimming - it's not something I do routinely, just tidying up when necessary.
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Thank you very much, your advice makes good sense - I'll adopt that method when I next need to trim them. Thank you again - it's good to have advice from experienced farmers.