The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: maddy on March 17, 2017, 01:36:38 pm

Title: lamb problem
Post by: maddy on March 17, 2017, 01:36:38 pm

My ryeland ewe gave birth 8 days ago to triplets - two small and one larger lamb.  All fine.  Feeding well.  Over the last couple of days two of the small lambs were slightly limping.  Today one was much worse and almost non weight bearing on a back leg.

I appllied iodine on the navel at birth and ensured they all had colustrum.  Could it still be joint ill?  The joints move and are not hot.  They are still feeding well.

Any advice gratefully received.

Title: Re: lamb problem
Post by: Foobar on March 17, 2017, 02:23:06 pm

Yes it could be.  They can get the bacterial infection from routes other than through the navel.  If they are not getting better (it could just have been knocked about a bit?) then pop them down to your vet for some antibiotics.  Assume the worst (i.e. it is joint ill) as you need to treat it quickly in order to get a good outcome.

Title: Re: lamb problem
Post by: pharnorth on March 17, 2017, 03:05:15 pm

Mine had a similar problem last year. Caught it early. Treated as Foobar says, all ok. Just be quick!

Title: Re: lamb problem
Post by: Marches Farmer on March 17, 2017, 03:14:05 pm

I agree - they're young enough to respond very quickly to a/bs but will go downhill equally rapidly if you leave it.

Title: Re: lamb problem
Post by: Old Shep on March 17, 2017, 04:12:09 pm

You can tell if its joint ill because the joint is swollen?  Probably a bit early for scald (sores in between the cleats).  Joint ill needs antibiotics, scald just terramycin type spray.

Title: Re: lamb problem
Post by: Anke on March 17, 2017, 04:57:26 pm

Even if it is not joint ill (but it does look that way), antibiotics fast. Not sure which one though.

Title: Re: lamb problem
Post by: twizzel on March 17, 2017, 06:14:36 pm

Had success with synulox for joint ill, or pen strep for milder cases  :fc: but you have to get on it asap before the joint is damaged beyond repair.

Title: Re: lamb problem
Post by: bazzais on March 17, 2017, 06:51:30 pm

Act now - its do or die.

Are they in still now in a pen or out and about?

How is the ewe acting towards the lame ones?

Small ones can get bullied away by mum if its all too much.

Title: Re: lamb problem
Post by: ewesaidit on March 17, 2017, 08:32:13 pm

Hi Maddy. I had a lamb like this a couple of weeks ago.  I had 'double dipped' this year so didn't think joint I'll.  fetlock joint was swollen and he wasn't weight bearing on that leg.  Gave metacam at 0.1 on vet advice (used an insulin syringe).  Anyway he was fine two days later - reckon he had been stepped on.  So it might not be joint ill but check with vet as presume abiotic better safe than sorry in your case.