The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: TG on March 25, 2011, 08:46:15 pm

Title: limping ewe
Post by: TG on March 25, 2011, 08:46:15 pm

we have a shetland ewe that is about two weeks from lambing but seems have developed a limp. We caught her and looked last week but could not see anything obvious. I am a bit concerned about catching her again as I don't want to distress her but would like to have another look as I don't want her to be suffering. Is it better to try to address the problem or leave her alone ?

Thanks
TG

Title: Re: limping ewe
Post by: Anke on March 25, 2011, 09:25:11 pm

If she's still getting about and eating her share of hay/concentrates I would now leave until after lambing, when you do her feet anyway. I have a couple that limp every so often, in my field it is caused by mud, that has been drying off and some gets caught between their toes.

Title: Re: limping ewe
Post by: bazzais on March 25, 2011, 11:12:31 pm

I agree, we have a few with limps at the moment but would not distress them by catching them and doing anything with them at the mo until they have actually lambed.

If they are literally hopping then ,maybe have a gander, but limping is just a sign of mild discomfort.  As long as they can put a sort of amount of weight on the foot then I am not really worried until after they have lambed and in the short term.

Baz

Title: Re: limping ewe
Post by: Beewyched on March 25, 2011, 11:37:19 pm

Yep, me too - unless there's anything obvious, wait till after she's lambed.