[DavidandCollette]

So my ewe started to limp yesterday so turned her over and checked her feet and gave them a trim. She seemed to be ok but started again today. Cleaned her feet again but now she seems to be limping on all four. Any ideas please? Is it a deficiency?

[shep53]

Could be many things . most of the foot infections only affect 1or2 feet at any time but something like laminitis or erysipelas  can affect all 4 feet  .  If it persists then a vet will be needed

[twizzel]

How far on in lamb is she? I wouldn’t be turning her over at all if she’s in lamb. No need to trim if lame either it’s been proven that trimming will slow up the healing process.

[DavidandCollette]

Agreed Twizzel. Wasn't happy about doing it but felt so sorry for the poor thing limping round.
Will check with the vet 're laminitis etc. Thankyou

[SallyintNorth]

If they’re getting near to their time, it could be as simple as it gets tiring on the old feet, hoiking that weight around with you. Or so all my friends who’ve been pregnant tell me  

It’s really not a great idea to be tipping up a pregnant ewe.  If you really can’t bear to leave it alone, pick up a foot like you would a horse.  But make sure the ewe is well restrained, and knows she is, so she doesn’t kick out and try to escape.  Stress is much worse for them when pregnant than sore feet is

Best restraint in my view is another person holding her against a fence with her nose in a corner.  Hand under her chin, holding her head horizontal, one knee in front of her shoulder, your body against hers, other leg pressing against her rear leg behind her lamb bump.  Taking care not to press too hard on the lamb bump.   Other hand on her rump if you can, or steadying you against the fence.  If she knows she can’t move in any direction, she’ll stand calmly while the second person has a look at her feet.  Gentle but firm hold above the foot, turn the foot up behind as you would a horse.  Support the foot underneath as you look at it. Remember you are increasing the weight on the other three sore feet by 1/3 each as you lift one!  So don’t hold it up longer than you must.

[Backinwellies]

You said you trimmed …. but did you spray with terramycin in case of infection?  With a lame late preg ewe  …. I would have just sprayed each foot (without turning)  and left any trimming till after lambing.  If any nasty smell then inj of AB   too  and still don't trim.

[DavidandCollette]

No nasty smell, all feet sprayed. Watching her it looks like legs rather than feet. Vet tomorrow. Thanks for your help and your kindness

[bj_cardiff]

I'd check between her cleats, sometimes you get a tiny (or obvious larger) bit of mud or straw stuck and it irritates them, spray with an antibiotic spray if you find anything. You should be able to tell if she's sore if you move the cleats apart to have a good look between them!  As others have said, get someone to hold her and pick her feet up like you would with a horse.

[graemeatwellbank]

Yesterday I found one of my ewes also limping and had a quick look at her foot (RHFront) and found nothing untoward (not that I'd know).
This morning she wouldn't stand up and when I took food in front of her she wouldn't eat.
So I had another look at her foot and found no inflamation or problems between her toes but then I found a little black 'bit' just above the middle of her foot. I picked it out to reveal a little hole which I squeezed and out popped a thing like a brown seed followed by some translucent gue. No smell. While at it I checked the other feet and they all have the same hole and they all ooze the same gue when squeezed.
I was just about to call the vet when all of a sudden she is walking about with the others without a trace of a limp.
So I post this to see if it is relevant to bj's problem and whether anyone knows about this little hole and what it is for.
Thanks.

[shep53]

They are scent glands which can get impacted , the brown seed thing was probably a plug ?

[DavidandCollette]

Thanks Graeme  wish I had seen this earlier,  just been to the vets for strep &Pen and metacam. Another bill!

[shep53]

Not that common to get impacted glands and would only affect one foot plus the gland is swollen and pus filled  .   I  assume you described the symptoms to your vet rather than taking the sheep or getting a vet out to examine , in which case the antibiotic and pain killer / anti inflammatory  are sensible to cover many things

[DavidandCollette]

I did sheep, she seems to be no better this morning though

[shep53]

Pen -strep is a daily injection for say 5 days , so give it time

[DavidandCollette]

Thanks shep, have injected again today.