The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Mel Rice on June 12, 2013, 01:06:43 pm

Title: limping sheep
Post by: Mel Rice on June 12, 2013, 01:06:43 pm
Ive looked at her leg and foot all seems ok any ideas? (front leg)
Title: Re: limping sheep
Post by: in the hills on June 12, 2013, 03:12:29 pm
Could it just be a pull?


Our Soay have limped on occasion. Very novice but have checked feet and legs and found nothing. Observed for a day or two and they have been fine. Guess ours sometimes hurt each other a little when they have their mad butting turns  ::)  or running and leaping sessions.
Title: Re: limping sheep
Post by: twizzel on June 12, 2013, 04:46:19 pm
We had a lamb that was lame for a week or so with no heat swelling or other symptoms, 4 days of pen&strep seemed to sort whatever was the problem out.
Title: Re: limping sheep
Post by: Pedwardine on June 12, 2013, 11:20:39 pm
Any heat anywhere indicating infection? They can pull a muscle like any animal. Any flinching upon touch in any particular area.
Title: Re: limping sheep
Post by: Mel Rice on June 13, 2013, 11:27:28 am
Still limping last night so I had another look, spayed between her toes with blue spray and put some hoof stuff I have for the horse inside the cleaned horn on the ends. This morning she seems to be walking on it better so maybe that's it sorted
Title: Re: limping sheep
Post by: smudger on June 14, 2013, 01:33:46 pm
I've gone along to a few sheep health talks in recent moths and the view now seems to be to give an antibiotic injection to nip infection in the bud and restrict cross infection to other sheep (obviously if very lame should isolate / bring in anyway especially if its restricting nutritionally intake).


This seemed contrary to general concensus to restrict the use of antibiotics but my (new) vet confirmed the advice. Previous vet just said blue spray except where heat /infection evident.  There's also a vaccine if a flock problem but its every 6 mths and usual double dose to start so another expense so I'm trying to be rigorous about rotation with culling to develop a hopefully natural immune flock.
Title: Re: limping sheep
Post by: Marches Farmer on June 14, 2013, 02:35:19 pm
I never inject with antibiotic unless I can see infection (pus, puffy, red) or an abscess.  Vaccination against footrot saw that problem (ad scald) off in 2007.  Once I've trimmed and checked between the clees for a thorn or stone I just use blue spray and they're normally fine in a few days.  If the clees are soft and damp keeping them in the shed for a few days so the horn can harden generally does the trick.
Title: Re: limping sheep
Post by: Mel Rice on June 18, 2013, 10:35:41 am
thanks for info...I only have 2 + 2 sheep, mums and lambs, so TLC is easy.|
Title: Re: limping sheep
Post by: landroverroy on June 18, 2013, 12:20:49 pm
Welcome to the world of sheep! If you look at any field of them you will invariably see at least one limping. However, a simple way to cut down on limpers is to have a heap of lime somewhere where they will walk through it - like in a gateway or near a water trough. The lime seems to dry up any simple problems like scald. Just any ordinary lime will do - like a bag from the garden centre or builders merchant if you just have a few sheep. If you have a lot, then some left over from liming your fields. It doesn't work immediately - may take a few days, but you suddenly notice that everyone's walking ok again.
Title: Re: limping sheep
Post by: Mel Rice on June 21, 2013, 09:49:03 pm
It is a puss filled spot on her foot just as it starts to spilt for the two toes.  Done as I would with a human spot; prodded bathed prodded until puss oozed bathed again then blue spray rather than savlon. Better today will keep an eye on it though.
Title: Re: limping sheep
Post by: smudger on June 22, 2013, 12:59:22 am
If it doesn't heal up quickly look at poulticing ( I had a goat with recurring problem and the vet put a dry powder antibiotic on wadding which we left on for 5 days). Otherwise epsom salts is good either to bathe or poultice. If there is pus I would inject. If you don't have a bottle your vet may dispense 5ml for you if you know how/where to inject.