[Tala Orchard]

Yesterday we noticed one of the lambs limping on closer inspection we found that the leg has been broken just below the elbow, the lamb seems fine in its self and does not seem stressed. We have splinted it and bound it with Duck Tape.

Any more suggestions as what to do would be appreciated.

Tala

[Sbom]

Make sure there's air around the leg aswell as I once saw a horrible sight when A leg had been splinted and sealed tight and the leg went all rotten

[Hellybee]

Take to the vet, get set properly, and ask lots and lots of questions, I hope the little mite heals well xx

[SallyintNorth]

I've had several lambs with various breaks; ewes too; home-made splint has always done the trick for me.  On one occasion the vet gave a poor prognosis for a ewe but we splinted her ourselves anyway.  The following year you couldn't pick Peg out from the crowd!

[feldar]

We' ve had lambs with broken legs too. We splinted the leg with wood but with plenty of padding first we used gamgee ( horse stuff ) and then vetwrap. This is a sticky bandage, again horsey stuff, but it does give a little, so is not too restrictive and hopefully won't cut off circulation.
Lambs each time have survived into adulthood and you would n't know them from the others.
We did give antibiotics and painkillers as well to cover infections. Good luck

[fsmnutter]

I would also recommend plenty padding. Higher up the leg it can be harder to stop any movement in the fracture, but bandage as high as you can, and get the splint up the side to include shoulder if you can, sometimes wrapping all the way round the body to secure that high, making sure not to restrict breathing. Signs to look out for include swelling, particularly round the top of the bandage, cold feet under the bandage, discharge of any kind and amount, any bad smells. Bandages, particularly for broken legs can cause really nasty sores, or even gangrene, so if you see any of these signs, i would take it straight to the vet who can treat it. I tend to leave casts on growing animals for about two weeks at a time, so you can change it as they grow, but bone healing often takes about 6 weeks or more. It should be able to walk on the splint, if not, you may need to go to your vet as they may be able to put on a plaster or a more specialised, shaped leg splint.
Good luck
Suzanne

[trish.farm]

I splinted a lambs leg which the ewe broke butting it away at 3 hours old.  leg was swinging above the hock.  i wrapped the leg in soft bandage, then put lolly stick either side of leg, then more bandage, then vet wrap.  Changed the bandage every week.  Antibiotics for first 3 days.  leg healed beautifully, i did hand rear the ewe lamb, she was pts at the age of 7 after having lots of lovely twins and then getting attacked by a dog! 

[ladyK]

Comfrey is a great herb to help/speed up healing if broken bones, once splinted.
If you can get some always worth to feed a bit in this situation. (I took it myself quite successfully when I broke my hand last year).

[shygirl]

we had a broken leg years ago, front leg below the knee. the vet put a proper plaster of paris on it, for i think 2 or 3 weeks. seemed fine, skin wasnt damaged.

[langfauld easycare]

  agree with above we had one this year ewe butted it . lots of cotton wool plastic rod and duck tape .you wouldnt no now he is biggest out foster lambs . did have a hog a few years ago who broke hers right at the shoulder .we put her in freezer on my friends recommendation (shes a vet) . when i boned out her shoulder the ball had snapped of .shame but it was the right decision  .
the one this year she recommended carefully change the dressing every 2 weeks and keep on for a total of 6 weeks. but after 4 he kept kicking it of but was fine.