The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: dixie on April 25, 2017, 12:09:12 pm
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i had a heavily in lamb ewe go lame last Friday, I trimmed her feet and sprayed, Saturday she seemed worse so I trimmed back further, sprayed and gave her an antibiotic on Sunday, she lambed twins yesterday and all is good, but she is still limping, any ideas/suggestions. please?
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Metacam first of all, but why trim her feet back further? Try to determine what the cause is- scald or footrot (spray, inject with oxytetracycline and metacam and don't trim), is she lame because she was heavily pregnant?
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I re-trimmed as as I missed an overgrown bit before, there was no sign of rot or scald just a bit overgrown? Could just being pregnant cause her lameness? I've not had that before?
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Apologies if I'm stating the obvious, but could she have shelly hoof? I've missed it before when looking at a lame foot because the pocket has been packed with mud and the same colour as the bottom of the foot.
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No I don't think so, feet looked healthy apart from overgrown which I've trimmed. I'm wondering if it could be her leg as opposed to foot?
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Get someone to stand astride her or hold her steady, close your eyes and feel, slowly and gently, from the top of the front legs down to the hoof, then do the same on the back legs. You're feeling for a break, swelling or a hot area. Closing your eyes concentrates your sense of touch and having a sound leg to compare with makes it easier to pinpoint a difference.
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If unsure, you could always ask your vet to take a look.
They can check her over and try to find the reason for the lameness and give her painkiller if it is something in the leg etc.
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For starters stop trimming just because still lame. Could there be a blackthorn in there? Clean it, jab & spray. Then leave her a bit.